I admit I'm not training for a Triathalon...I'm training for something much more difficult, zipping up my pants! This is a fantastic boutique gym. I've wavered for a long time whether to join, having enjoyed XSport very, very much. However, Well Fit is great even if you're not training for a triathlon! The gym is clean, very friendly, always available. You never must worry about getting to a machine or weights. Remember, they don't have a lot of "machines" which is the beautiful thing. I've learned that using free weights and a ball or whatever helps you get in shape much more quickly. The staff is just fantastic, I mean the BEST. Sharon the owner always has a smile and a word of encouragement, as does Keith and the rest of the staff. The members are fantastic. They are courteous and kind, friendly and thoughtful. There are no egos which overwhelm here. It's worth it to join here for the cleanliness of the facilities, the friendliness and knowledge of the staff, and the tremendous members who make it a warm and inviting gym. With those factors, it makes you want to go to the gym more often!!!! GREAT VALUE! Sharon...longer hours would be nice! read more

Excellent experience with Coach Ted. Good facility. Next time I'll try the altitude room.

Huge disappointment and waste of money! I had signed up for their half ironman training program for roughly around $400. The online description of what the program involved was not what I received. One example is that it was stated we would be in the computrainer room once a week.... but instead we went in only once over the 12-wk training session. Most of the group sessions we met on a track ... and did no long bike rides together. It was very disappointing... considering I could have went with their competitor and spent half of what I paid and probably would have had a better experience. I thought I would get more out of this but instead I got less. On top of this, the customer service is extremely poor! I did contact owner of the training center about my experience. I wrote a long, thought out email... and in return, I got no response from him. An apologize would have been nice and I might have gave them a second chance. read more

i've been training for triathlons for about two years. I was a member of another gym in the west loop and was disappointed with the lack of pool time for members. I joined here in January and could not be more pleased. The facilities are small, but not crowded and top notch. The computrainers are sweet and almost always have room for you. The coaches are great. I've done three classes through Well Fit (a swim, bike and run) and am in so much better shape than a year ago. The owner is around much of the time, seems to know all of the members by name and is extremely helpful with giving tips and pointers. I would not have been able to make the improvements I have without the facilities, coaches and other members who all have helped me along the way. Since joining, I have drastically improved my swim leg (34:03 at Bangs Lake 2010 and 25:07 at Big Foot 2011), bike leg 19.42mph to 20.16 (to be honest it could be better but I was more focused on running and swimming) and run leg 53:06 to 51:39 (Big Foots run was harder). Overall dropped about 13 minutes from 2:47 to 2:34! I'll update my comparison from Bangs Lake 2010 to 2011 after that race and feel like I a few more minutes will be dropping off. Join Well Fit and work hard and you will have no regrets. read more

Well Fit is one of those things, that its either made for you or it's not. If you are training for a high-level triathlon, you will probably find it will work wonders for you. If you are new into running or triathlons, it might be a little steep of an investment. I participated in the Well Fit Ironman course in 2010, prepping for Ironman Wisconsin in September of 2010. I cannot say better things about the experience of training for the event or the coaching I received for it. I had been working with Liz Waterstraat as my coach for a year prior to the Ironman, so it was great I could train in a group atmosphere with such a high level coach. For those who are not familiar with Liz, she has trained hundreds of athletes to incredible accomplishments. She is incredibly generous with her time and attention, and is a true pro. Other great things about the Ironman training course: (1) facilities are very nice, (20 Computrainer workouts get you a head start in the crappy weathered Chicago Spring, (3) group training is great (these are still some of my best friends), (4) the program's record for getting people to the finish line at Ironman is unmatched. I did compare this program vs. others, and this is the best way to train for an Ironman. I have known others to participate in other programs, and then change to Well Fit with night and day results. As for the rest of the gym, it really is a gym for high level triathletes. And it is designed for those committed to a full scheduling of summer racing. Like I said, it's either made for you or it isn't, but if you are training for an Ironman, or you want to really commit to the sport of triathlon, this is the place for you. read more

I joined the Well-Fit Ironman Wisconsin Training Program to be sure I was successful in completing IM Wisconsin and I finished. That is my quick review... A friend had used Well-Fit in the past and I had signed up for IM Wisconsin. I knew he had very positive experiences and I personally wanted to do everything I could to reach my goal of completing the race. So I joined the program which is broken into two (bike/swim) sessions. Each session has its own coach Liz Waterstraat (Bike/Run) and Keith Klebacha (Swim), both coaches are very accomplished in their own disciplines. The most important quality of the program is that Liz & Keith taught Ironman. I could have signed up for a training program, gotten the workouts, done them and be "trained" - that was my experience from marathon programs and I am sure one could do that with Ironman but I doubt the success rate. Keith & Liz trained us but also taught us by structuring our physical activates to accompany the knowledge they provided over the course of the program. This is not just training, it is teaching and it's a valuable service. read more

I have been a member at Well Fit for 3 years now and cannot say enough positive things about the gym , training programs , and coaching staff and with the addition of the Altitude Room and the newly designed Cycling studio I have been able to elevate my athleticism to a whole new level of PR's. The Coaching staff is extremely knowledgeable and will work on your individual needs and gaps in performance. When I started out 3 years ago I couldn't and didn't know how to swim and barely could get through 100 meters. After a couple of months with Coach Keith I was comfortably swimming 3000+ meters. Classes and group training's are easy to signup for and everyone is friendly and eager to help . If you have fitness goals whether its a 1/2 Ironman ,Ironman , Marathon , of to simply get in shape , Well Fit will help get you there. read more

Well fit! Where do I begin! I wanted to up my triathlon training and the one place that I knew I could take my athleticism to the next level was Well Fit! I had met Sharone a few years prior to joining and felt that his knowledge of the sport as well as personal training, would be a great for me. He really knows what he is talking about and has me think about the sport in a whole different way. Well Fitt's group classes and teams are a great way to improve any specific discipline you might want to work on. Not only that, but the facility is a great place to come before or after work and not be bothered by the rif raf you might find at a larger gym. The facility houses a computraining studio with plenty of space to pedal your brains out, an endless pool to work on your technique, and plenty of treadmills and weights to build lots of strength. Well Fit has different membership options for whatever your budget might be. Basic fitness memberships start at $52! I love it! I plan on being here for a long time! They don't only work with fast people, they do everything possible to make you fast!!! You want to go fast, right?!? Well Fit is the place to be! Join now! read more

I used Well Fit last year while training for Ironman Wisconsin and found the experience to be invaulable to my success in completing the race. I am not your typical athlete - I'm not particularly good at swimming, biking or running - I just happen to really enjoy it.. I found that both of the coaches really took my sucess as seriously as anyone else in the group. I appreciated that I felt important within the group - they really helped to foster a team environment. Keith was always very encouraging and Liz was always prompt with answers to any questions. I have really improved as an athlete through my experience here. I enjoyed my experience with Liz and her coaching style so I actually used her to coach me individually this season and I have found her to be very available to me and I am happy with my results this season. The facilities are very nice but the computrainer room can feel a bit cramped at times and in the summer months can also be a bit warm so be prepared for that. The locker rooms are always nice and clean as well as the rest of the facility. read more

Well-Fit absolutely has been the best decision I have made for my health and pursuing my goals. The atmosphere and dynamic of the gym are really welcoming and encouraging. The camraderie I have gained from the multiple training rides, swim work outs, and racing has been invaluable. Sharone, the gym owner, has supported and pushed me to reach my goals and surpass them. In addition, watching him in action with clients and at events, it is clear how much time and dedication he has put into his work. He truly cares about everyone at his gym whether elite racer or fitness newbie. I would recommend this gym for anyone looking to get into triathlons or looking for a great group atmosphere! read more

I was a member of this gym and also did a training program with them. I enjoyed both. The hours of the gym could have been better but didn't bother me much as I took advantage of the early morning hours. I lived down the street so it also happened to be the closest gym. Very unique gym. A gem for those dedicated to triathlon training. read more

Hands down the best facility in all of Chicagoland if not the Midwest . Whether your a seasoned athlete or a beginner Well-Fit will make you feel welcome while advancing you towards your goals . Want to do an Ironman but can't Swim ? Coach Keith will cure all of your pains . Want to PR on the bike ? Try the new cycling studio Want to take your training to a whole new level ? Try the new altitude room . At Well-Fit you gain fitness and a training family with like minded people . read more

What to say about Well-fit... I can say that I found Well-fit completely by accident as I prepared for my first triathlon. this is my story... When it comes to fitness and triathlons, I cannot say enough about Well-fit. At the end of 2016 I had signed up for my first Olympic distance Triathlon (2017 Chicago Triathlon). having never completed a Triathlon beforehand, not even a sprint distance, I did not realize what I had taken on. I also think that it is important to say that at the beginning of 2017 I could not swim to save my own life. I could not even swim half a lap in a 25yard pool without having to stop for a break. I had began training on my own for the beginning of the year. I began taking numerous swim lessons with the Chicago Park district, Chicago Blue Dolphins, and eventually with Well-fit. Not only was my swimming terrible, my running was poor and my biking was still not very impressive. When I first started running I was running 13.5min/miles. I could not make it half a block without stopping because I was tired. I could say my running was jut as bad as my swimming. After six months of training on my own I have to say that I still felt unprepared, and I was skeptical as to whether or not I'd be able to actually complete the triathlon without drowning. That is when I began searching for a triathlon center to hopefully join and I could spend the last three months with proper training. I searched the internet on a daily basis with no luck in finding a place that would suit my needs. One day, I had uncharacteristically logged in to Facebook when I saw a post that the Transamerica Chicago Triathlon had posted and I saw that a Triathlon center by the name of Well-fit Triathlon commented on the post. seeing as how I was looking for a training center to join that also had a beginner friendly program, I decided to look them up. After doing my research on them, I decided that they had everything I was looking for. It took me a few weeks to finally decide to join. I had emailed the owner and one of the coaches with numerous questions that may have seemed silly coming from a beginner who knew virtually nothing about triathlons but every question was quickly and graciously responded too, and they took their time in explaining the process and the programs they offered. After a couple days of mulling it over, I decided to sign up. I then began going to classes and training. The program was incredible I thought and the prices were very reasonable. We had coached training three days a week and a training program was built around our training days so we can continue and progress on days were did not have coached training. The program took us all the way up to the very week of the 2017 Chicago Triathlon and Well-fit followed each and every one of their athletes the entire step of the way. From the very first day of training up until the post race celebration Well-fit did all they could to support the athletes. All the staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Even the other athletes were helpful and willing to pass on advice. They knew a lot about the sport which In turn made them all great athletes to train with. My training coaches were Coach Ted. Coach Lauren, and Coach Mauricio and they did and excellent job. Kudos to them, and because of my awesome experience I will be signing up for more programs. With the help of Well-fit I ended up finishing my first Olympic distance triathlon with a time of 3hrs 23mins. That exceeded my personal goal of 4hrs. When I got out of the water I was not tired, I was able to complete the bike without completely burning out my legs and still had enough energy left in me to complete the 10k run with no stops and no walking. I was impressed with my performance and will continue to work on my technique and my timing with the help of well-fit. As I said before, I cannot say enough about Well-fit and I encourage anyone who is thinking of joining a training center to give this place a chance. read more

I train with well fit for my Ironman as a part of the Ironman Wisconsin training group. I found the facilities to be the best that the city of Chicago has to offer for Triathletes. The coaches were top notch (Elizabeth Waterstraat and Keith Klebecha) and lastly, the training plan was top notch and the best I've ever been a part of. I think that for me, the coaching is why I went to wellfit. I wanted coaches that would adequately prepare me for my Ironman race, but also make me feel comfortable to train with em. I'm not a crazy elite racer who has a ton of experience under her belt. Before I started with the IM group I had done two marathons and a half ironman. I'm type A enough that I signed up for the race, but I am also a young person trying to balance a full time job, training and a somewhat small social life. The coaches helped me adjust my workout when I had to travel for work, or when I went to Hawaii on a vacation. They also knew when to push me and when to back off and avoid injury (a big issue in training for IM). They were always available to answer questions (during email and during our compu-trainer or swim practices). They understood that the Ironman race is both mental and physical and they coached us to be able to face any challenge that day. I learned more from these coaches than from any other coach I've had before (I was a swimmer and Lacrosse player for 10 years). I highly recommend this training group. There were people in our group that had years of experience and others that were brand new to the triathlon world. No matter your experience I found that there was a place for everyone. read more

I still can't figure out why this gym has so few non-triathlete patrons. The monthly fee is considerably lower and the facilities much cleaner and much less crowded than any alternative in the area I lived (Ukrainian Village / Wicker Park). In fact, it was often times like having my own private gym. And a really clean and high end one at that- all of the equipment is really high quality and nice. The overwhelming majority of patrons are triathletes, and they tend to spend their time on the bike computrainers and the treadmills. That leaves the rest of the place free to a few personal trainers and the other brilliant people that have discovered this place. As others have mentioned, the staff are all pretty friendly and there's a good, fitness-focused vibe here. It wasn't uncommon for the owner, Sharon, or one of the personal trainers to provide me with some tips on my workout, whether it was a helpful suggestion about better form or perhaps a different exercise that might be more beneficial. Oh, and if you live far enough away to necessitate driving, parking is never an issue (and its free). So to sum: clean, modern and uncrowded facilities; low cost; free parking; nice, helpful staff. read more

I have been training with WellFit for over 3 years now and it's been absolutely incredible. I started with the Half Ironman group in 2009, IMWI group in 2010, private coaching in 2011, 2012 and committed for 2013. Elizabeth is one of the best USAT coaches in the country as is Keith Klebacha and our owner, Sharone Aharon. I am now racing with the elite team and have several podiums now to back up the coaching with Liz. Sharone, his staff, and all of the athletes that train with WellFit support one another and build life-long friendships. We welcome athletes of all levels always. Whomever added the review about never hearing back from Liz, this would never be her intention because she responds to her athlete's emails within 15 minutes any day of the year. Even holidays, and even on days when she is racing practically! The proactive step to take in that situation would be to phone the training center to suggest your emails are not going through. Good luck with your training! read more

I have had a goal to complete a Half Ironman for many years and after joining one of Well-Fit's training programs I can say not only did I complete the Racine 70.3 but it was one of the best experiences of my life. The coaches are extremely knowledgeable, interactive, and approachable, and create a fun, yet competitive environment for ALL levels of athletes (I am not exaggerating) and the training program focuses not only on the technical aspects of swimming, biking, and running but also of other important, yet forgotten, parts of racing such as goal setting, race planning, and transitions. The facility is fantastic, with computrainers, weights, treadmills, and an endless pool. Definitely top of the line in terms of training equipment and coaching knowledge. I can't think of a single thing that I wish they could have done differently during my entire experience. I would recommend this training group and its training programs to anyone at any training level who wants to give any triathlon race a good go. read more

I signed up for Well-Fit's Ironman Training program after receiving a recommendation from a running friend of mine. I knew absolutely nothing about triathlon at the time I signed up for the program, and was hoping for some sort of guidance to help me along the way as I attempted my first Ironman-distance race. The sport of triathlon is not cheap. The cost of equipment, nutrition, transportation, and race fees can get expensive. However, of all the money I put in training for the Ironman, the investment I made in to Well-Fit's Ironman Wisconsin training program offered the greatest returns. The program, led by Liz Waterstraat and Keith Klebecha, was essentially a step-by-step guide to get us ready to take on the daunting 140.6 mile race. The participants in the program varied significantly in skill level and in experience, yet this program catered to each and every one of us. Liz provided her unparalleled knowledge on pacing, nutrition, training, biking and running. Keith helped me get stronger and become a better swimmer. By the time the actual race came about, I was physically and mentally prepared...and exceeded all of my prior expectations with my performance. I am confident that this would not have happened without this program. Liz and Keith were also always available (and quick to respond) to any questions that I came up with during the program. Well-Fit offered state of the art equipment during the Ironman training program which made it possible to train in Chicago in the winter and spring. The Computrainer room is the best I have seen in Chicago, and the rest of the equipment is specifically designed to help multi-sport athletes perform to the maximum of their potential. Well-Fit caters to bringing out the best in both newbies and national champions. I highly recommend Well-Fit. read more

I joined Yelp for the sole purpose of sharing my amazing experience with Well-fit. So get ready, this is going to be a long one. I have been a runner for some time and was lucky enough to have great coaches in both high school and college, but the coaches and training programs at Well-fit are the best I've ever experienced. First, don't be fooled by 'Triathlon' in the title, Well-fit is the place to go if you want to grow as an endurance athlete. In addition to amazing triathlon programs, Well-fit has great programs and expert coaches for marathon, cycling, cyclocross, swim technique and strength training. The facilities aren't huge, but have everything you need from an awesome computrainer room, endless pool, treadmills and tons of strength training equipment. I've never had a problem getting on the equipment that I need. Pool workouts are done at different pools around the area, most commonly at UIC. Second, Well-fit is for anyone that wants to go into a race as prepared as possible to do their best. That best may be completing their first triathlon, setting a personal best, finishing a long distance race, or qualifying for the World Championships in Kona. Before moving to Chicago a year ago, I had only participated in one sprint triathlon several years before. Upon moving to the city, I was looking for a way to get back in shape and thought it would be fun to try one of the longer triathlons. I signed up for Swim Tech I to improve my swim technique. I learned so much and had a great time, so I signed up for the ironman pre-seaon class, run by Coach Liz and Coach Ted. We met twice a week, once for a bike work out and once at the pool for a group swim. We were given daily schedules to follow on our own. I quickly was in the best shape of my life and ready to choose a race and get down to business. I signed up for the Racine 70.3 training program along with many of the friends I had made in my pre-season class. Our group ranged from ages 24-late 50s, first time triathletes to seasoned competitors. Again we had detailed daily workouts sent to us beforehand, as well as two group sessions a week. Additionally, Ted sent weekly emails to make sure we know the goals of this section of training. In addition to being physically ready to race, Ted made sure we were prepared with a race and nutrition plan and we were prepared to handle the heat on race day. Every athlete came into race day confident that they were prepared to have their best race. I would recommend these group training programs to anyone, but if you're looking for a more individual training experience, Well-fit also offers one-on-one coaching and personal training. For the high-performing athlete who is looking to train with other like-minded (and awesome) athletes, you can apply for the Well-fit Elite team. This group trains together from March - September with Sharone, the owner and head coach of Well-fit. The athletes in this group are gunning for podium spots, qualifying for olympic, 70.3, 140.6 World Championships... and having a ton of fun training together. Sharone one of the only level III triathlon coaches in the mid-west and has coached beginner and professional athletes. As Tim said, he "is around much of the time, seems to know all of the members by name and is extremely helpful with giving tips and pointers." His experience is invaluable and at the foundation of all of Well-fit's terrific programs. Well-fit does have a lot of people wearing many hats in the business, so things like the website, might not include everything that is going on. Don't let that deter you, just call or stop by to find out what's going on. They are also extremely receptive to feedback about what kind of classes people are looking for and may create a class if there is the demand. You wouldn't want to miss out on an amazing training experience, because trust me, if you want to reach your endurance sport goals and have fun doing it, Well-fit is the place for you! read more

I am less than 5 weeks away from completing my first full-iron distance, and I couldn't possibly feel more ready for it, thanks to my awesome Well-Fit coaches, Liz and Keith. I am so thankful o them! I wasn't sure if i believed in their program for the first few months of training bc I didn't know where I was in my training. I became a in June when I PR'd by 40 minutes at an Olympic tri distance. THAT IS HUGE. At my 70.3 race, I did not PR, but I never felt better. I felt strong and not sick on such a hot race day. I refer to Liz as my personal diary. She has responded to every one of my silly questions, acknowledged my insecurities, and always reminds me that I can do it when I need it most. She is excellent at reading each athlete and responding to them in a tone and manner that each athlete needs. Liz has been so thorough that I stopped having questions for her! I find myself referring to my training this year as; I am racing SMART, not just racing. I understand and know what I need to do to finish the race. Keith couldn't be kinder, more sympathetic, or cheerier. Recently, when I felt broken, he took the time to talk to me and connect. He has all the iron-phrases in his pocket and says them when I need them, such as: the hard part is getting to the start line, and it's the iron-turtle. He is real and connects with my emotions and isn't scared to tell me that it's normal to be emotional about IM. He is always smiling and positive, that is special on it's own. There is nothing easy about IM training, and the best part about the WF coaches is that they are honest about it. It's a GROUP training program, but they made me feel like an individual within a group, and they have pushed me the way I needed to be pushed, different from my fellow athletes. Thank you Well-Fit, Liz & Keith! read more

I had a fun training here for my last race. I met a lot of people that like to train hard and sometimes party hard. I think this is the best tri specific training center in Chicagoland. The coaches are all USA Triathlon certified and the couple that coached me seemed to really have a knowledge of the sport, they weren't just gym trainers looking to make a couple extra buck like some groups Ive trained with in the past. I also really appreciate that it's focus is Triathlon and not road cycling. read more

I can only say very very positive things about Well Fit, the facility, and the coaches. I am a three year veteran of this sport and have experience with other triathlon groups in the Chicago land area. I began training this March with the Well Fit and have had my most successful season to date. The coaches are supportive and always looking to give you advice. It amazes me that I am still learning new techniques and ways to get faster every coached session. There is great camaraderie among fellow Well Fitters which makes races fun, and energizing. I have made several friends through training with Well Fit which makes the experience even better. Whether you are an experienced racer, or newbie to this sport Well Fit is a great place to get acquainted with! read more

I've been training at Wellfit now for about five years and have truly enjoyed the classes and programs offered. great group of coaches with great knowledge of triathlon. I have also met some great folks training there that have only enriched my time associated with Wellfit. read more

I have nothing but positive things to say about my experiences training with Wellfit and being coached by Liz. I trained under Liz at Wellfit during the 2009& 2010 Wisconsin Ironman Training programs. I came into the training program( no lie) a complete novice with the crazy idea of completing an Ironman without ever finishing a tri in the past. Two years and two Ironman races later I have grown leaps and bounds as not only a triathlete but a student of my sport. Most notably under Liz's coaching at Wellfit I took 92 minutes off my Ironman Wisconsin time from the year before. I have always found Liz to be extremely accessible, I have referred her to my friends, family and all have come back with the same feedback. I look forward to working with both Liz and Wellfit again for my next race! read more

As a member of Well Fit since 2009 and the first Ironman Wisconsin training group, I have been extremely happy with their services and highly recommend their coaches and facility to athletes of all abilities. I began working with Well Fit when they introduced their IM Wisconsin training group, although I was preparing for IM Louisville. Under the coaching of Liz (bike, run, and strength) and Keith (swim), I had the best year of training and racing to date. Liz kept the group educated, engaged, and motivated throughout the entire program. Keith turned me into an efficient swimmer who learned to enjoy swim training! Both of these coaches always responded to questions I had regarding my training or the program in general. Overall, these two coaches and Well Fit thoroughly prepared me for the 2009 season. Thank you Liz and Keith for such a memorable experience! I continue to use Well Fit's facility and members classes to stay in shape as I continue racing triathlon. Well Fit has been very supportive of all of their athletes and I have noticed the WF community continue to grow at local, national and international races. I have recommended many friends to Well Fit and will continue to do so in the future. read more

Do you want to become an Ironman? If you do, then Well Fit is the place to go. My racing history consisted of 3 half ironmans, 3 marathons and multiple half marathons all of which I was able to train and complete on my own. My previous training philosophy was to grind out every training session and the more volume/time/miles the better, but the coaching staff at Well Fit made me a SMARTER athlete. While I'm sure it's possible to complete the training for a full ironman by yourself, however the training expertise of the staff at Well Fit is second to none. If you sign up and commit to an ironman race then trust in the training program and you will become an Ironman. Pros: Coaching staff is beyond knowledgeable. Liz and Keith have completed numerous Ironman triathlons between them so they pass their experiences onto the group. Never felt they were hiding any type of inside information or had any type of elitist athlete attitude. Nor was there any crazy yelling "rah rah become an ironman!!!!" session. I'm an adult and don't need someone yelling and screaming at me while I'm trying to complete a workout. They have perfected the art of instructing a large group (there were 30+ people in our group) while giving individualized attention to each of us. There was consistent feedback which was discussed as a group or if you needed a more personal response it was just an email away. The few times I needed a question answered, Liz was good at emailing me back with a response within a few hours. Cons: Sometimes the communication via group email sometimes went array. There was a point during the 7 months of training where only a portion of the group got it while the other half of us weren't made aware of the particular update. Initially I thought the price was a little steep but the investment was worth every penny. read more

In 2006, I signed up for my first sprint and Olympic distance triathlons and used one of Well-Fit's group training programs. If you asked me then whether I would go from crossing off "Learn how to swim" and "Do a triathlon" from my bucket list, to seven years later completing multiple Ironman races - I would have called you crazy. But the sense of triathlon community fostered by Well-Fit's group training programs and Well-Fit's knowledgeable coaches kept me coming back for more. I trained with Well-Fit's Ironman Wisconsin training group two years in a row and can confidently say that the program is excellent both for people who aspire to just finish their first Ironman race and for people who want to do another Ironman, and do it faster. The success of this program is due entirely to the dedication and excellence of Coaches Liz Waterstraat (bike / run) and Keith Klebacha (swim). They put together detailed daily workouts, provide critical educational training information on a weekly basis, are open and available to answer questions, challenge you when they see your motivation waning, and celebrate your successes with you. Well-Fit's Wisconsin Ironman training group has been instrumental in my triathlon journey, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an Ironman training group. read more

I have been involved with Well-Fit and the coaches for three years now. I trained for my first 70.3 with Well-Fit, have kept in shape over the winter with Liz's excellent conditioning classes, and trained for my first Ironman through them. The Ironman program, coached by Liz and Keith, was honestly the best thing I did to ensure my success on race day. Liz and Keith both patiently answered all of our questions (from "how often do I have to eat on the bike?" to "what's a salt tab?") and did everything that they could to make sure that we succeeded. When you are training for nine months for a single day, you want to make sure that you have the best people possible behind you; without a doubt, Liz and Keith are those people. Without their expertise, I'm sure that I wouldn't have made it out of the water, let alone confidently and comfortably through the whole day. I can't wait to do my next Ironman, and I know that without a doubt I will have Liz and Keith coach me when I do. read more

I have been training with Well-Fit since 2009. I had been competing in triathlons for a few years but had been training with a different group when I decided to tackle my first Ironman. I had a great experience at the other training facility, but at the time they did not have an Ironman training program. At this point I got on line and found a training program offered by Well-Fit. Since the first day that I walked into the Well-Fit training facility I new that it was exactly what I had been looking for. I really wasn't sure what to expect in training for a full Ironman distance race, but any trepidation that I had was soon put to bed. The coaches Liz Waterstraat & Coach K(Keith Klebacha) are truly amazing. From day 1, they had a plan and knew how to execute it. Training for an Ironman can take over a good part of your life, but their program allowed me to still have a life outside of training and be 100% prepared for Ironman. Although Liz & Keith had a training plan set for us, there were a few instances where I had other commitments to attend to. Not to worry. Both Liz & Keith immediately got back to me with an alternate training plan, so that I would not miss a beat. They would cover topics regarding every aspect of training. ie: nutrition, why you feel the way you do, how to prepare for training races, equipment maintenance, etc..Everything. I can truly say that come race day, I was not only ready physically, but also mentally. Any time that I had a question, no matter how minor, I would contact Liz & she would get back to me immediately. The great thing about Liz & Keith is that they are true professionals in what they do & truly care about the athletes they are training. I continue to train at Well-Fit due to the fact the owner Sharone runs the premier Triathlon training center in Chicago(and he's a great guy), but more importantly I feel that I received an amazing training/coaching experience from both Liz & Keith. They have not only trained me to reach my physical potential, but also helped me to become a smarter athlete. All of this said, the Well-Fit training program run by Liz & Keith prepared me in the right way to cross the finish line at Ironman & I look forward to crossing the line again in 2013. If you have the desire of doing any distance Triathlon, or are just looking for a great workout facility, head over to Well-Fit. Wether you are training for your 1st Ironman or your 100th, sign up for the program run by Liz & Keith. They are true professionals in every sense of the word. read more

In 2009 I registered for Ironman Wisconsin without ever running more than 4 miles. I'd never completed more than a sprint distance triathlon. I can honestly say I had no idea what I was doing in terms of endurance racing or triathlons in general. When I heard that Well Fit was opening a training center in my neighborhood and would have an Ironman training group I joined before the center even opened. My experience there was excellent and I highly recommend it for anyone beginner to elite level. The owner, Sharone, is approachable and encouraging to all atheletes regardless of their abilities. The enviroment here is collegeal, with the more experienced athletes helping the newer atheltes and celebrating their success. I was so happy with the Ironman training group and coaches Liz Waterstraat and Keith Klebacha. The group enviroment kept me accountable for my workouts and was a wonderful way to make new friends in a sport which I had none. The friends I made will be lifelong friends, we still meet for runs/rides/beers even 4 years later! Coach Liz was unbelievably responsive. My schedule was challenging with overnight shifts at work from time to time, Liz would work with me and help me find a way to make the most of my time. If I sent her an email, she responded in lightening speed. During our bike classes, we not only had a killer work out, but Liz was an excellent resource for tips on racing, nutrition, recover, changing a tire, etc. Coach Keith was equally valuable, keeping us all upbeat and motivated even at 6am swims in the winter! He helped people who couldn't even make it across one lap of the pool complete an ironman swim! Overall, my experience at WellFit was more than FIVE STARS. I started out not being able to run even a half marathon. I finished with some fantastic friends and as an IRONMAN! read more

I love love love this gym. I was at East Bank Club for quite a while, hired a coach from Jan through April 2014 to help me get through my first half ironman in July, and was completely disappointed come May as I felt nowhere near ready for the race. Six weeks to the race I felt like a complete failure and that the time I had spent training since January was a waste. I swam at the lake one day in May and ran into two people that go to Well-Fit. I shared my experience at EBC with them and they told me I had to check out Well-Fit as it was a totally different gym and I would not be disappointed. They were right! I am so blown away by the difference in training and feel confident again to complete my first half ironman. Just this morning I was in an infinity pool being videotaped on my stroke and going over it with a certified swim instructor who was very knowledgeable and has great passion for the sport. The people that attend there are so focused, all working on half ironman's or ironman races...at least the people I've encountered thus far. I know there are some clients that work out there during the day that are not training for anything specific. Anyway, seeing the bikes lined up in their awesome computrainer area all with aero bars is thrilling! The staff are all so knowledgeable and really care about their clients and the sport in general. I've had more communication with my new coach Ted in the last week than I had the entire time I was with my coach at EBC. It's a bit far from my house, but it's really become worth it and I'm back to looking forward to workouts, even when I'm exhausted or it's pouring out. Highly highly recommend checking this place out. read more

I entered a super-sprint triathlon before I could really swim well. I figured I needed all the help I could get so I joined a training group in June 2012. I was intimidated at first and was afraid that the group was for really serious athletes only. I quickly learned that there was plenty of room for individualizing the program. I wanted to do the triathlon for fun and to get into shape. Coach Ted did a great job of pushing me and encouraging me to reach beyond what I thought I could do - and he was good at training us for every possible aspect of competing. I trained alongside people who were training for sprint and olympic distance triathlons. I felt so well-prepared and relaxed for doing my race that I'm pretty sure I could have fairly easily done the longer race. The facilities are incredibly clean - small - but well-designed for the purpose of training. The staff and owner are friendly, supportive and professional. I know that they train plenty of serious competitors but I just want to make it clear that it is a great place for beginners as well. read more

I am doing the Ironman Wisconsin training program for the first time. I have done 20+ trathlons in various distances except for the Ironman. I studied, I read, I trained. I thought I knew a little. After joining the program and soaking up the ALL the info from my coaches I realized how much better I could be! They are inspirational, knowledgable, and driven. They push you, and hard, past what you could ever do alone. The greatest part is having a TEAM to train with. I would never have made it without having a group of equally driven competitors supporting, laughing and crying with you. Yes you might cry. I did, but because I shattered collar bone in a crash during my first race of the year. Scroll forward 10 weeks...We will swim the 2.4 mile swim and ride all 112 miles of the bike next weekend AS A WARM UP for the race. I would have never been able to do this without passionate coashes, the camaraderie of a team, and the facilities of Well-fit. read more