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Ultimate Fitness
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Martial Arts Active Life Fitness & Instruction Gyms Martial Arts, Gyms [Edit]
823 Emerson StEvanston, IL 60209
(847) 733-9478
- Nearest Transit:
-
Foster (Purple Line)
Davis (Purple Line)
Noyes (Purple Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6 am - 9 pm
Fri 8 am - 8 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
20 reviews for Ultimate Fitness
20 reviews in English
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Review from Jon W.
Chicago, IL
10/21/2011
Coach Will (Boxing) = Awesome.
Rick Sollo (Muay Thai) = Awesome. -
Review from Ellen D.
Chicago, IL
1/28/2012
What you don't get here - fancy locker rooms, self-conscious girls wearing too much makeup walking lightly on the treadmill while reading or guys who look like they're having pissing contests while lifting weights, and personal trainers who try to cram in as many products and services for you to buy. What you do get here - the best damn workout you'll ever get. It's pretty easy to want to go hard and push yourself when you have a 6'9" boxing instructor standing over your 5'1" frame telling you to punch a bag as hard as you can. I've already lost some weight, I feel stronger, and I have more energy than I ever have before. I'm so glad I joined this gym. Yeah, it can be intimidating at first to walk in and not see what (most) girls are used to with a gym, but you get over it pretty quickly. The instructors care about their students and they want them to do their best. I've taken boxing with three different instructors, including the awesome owner Dave, and I've enjoyed each one. The rates are also great and I plan on staying here for a long time.
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Review from Bryan T.
Lincolnwood, IL
6/26/2011
I have been a member here for multiple years.
My favorite classes to take: boxing and muay thai.
The instructors are so welcoming and patient. If you love to train hard...then this is the place to be.
There is an equal amount of technique and conditioning in the boxing and muay thai classes. I love them both!
Boxing: Dave is great teacher. He teaches the basics that every boxer needs to know. The other teachers are awesome and stress different techniques and types of conditioning drills.
Muay thai: The Saturday classes are great. They take it easy and stress proper technique. Cardio and strength are pushed to the limits. You have so much fun with great people, that you didn't realize that it has been hours training!
Sparring is always an option after Muay Thai or boxing. I usually try to work on conditioning and strength by hitting the bag.
I did BJJ under Mark V. back in the day. And I am itching to go back because BJJ is another favorite pastime...
They seem to keep offering new classes like Filipino stick fighting...which is pretty cool.
Their other classes: Tai chi, yoga, pilates.
They have weights, cardio equipment, pilates equipment also. Although the strength of Evanston Ultimate Fitness is the group classes led by world class instructors.
Great classmates, no cocky attitude environment, amazing teachers...enough said.
It is my favorite gym in Illinois...and I have trained at multiple places: Team Curran in Crystal Lake and down in central Illinois. Those places are good...but Ultimate fitness is amazing...I just cant stress that fact enough.
If you see me there at class...say hi! You can't miss me...I double wrap my hands. :)
B -
Review from Amy W.
6/30/2011
This five star review only applies to Coach Will's Monday 7:30pm boxing classes. I tried a six-month membership last summer and I completely fell in love with boxing. I even ended up taking a few personal classes. Coach Will does an amazing job of simultaneously motivating me, but never in a demeaning way (some other coaches I've come across, including other ones at this very gym, insult the people working out, which I think is just unnecessary and wrong). The classes consist of half an hour of aerobics and half an hour of boxing technique. It's great for beginners and amateurs. I have to say that I was terribly out of shape before I joined this gym, and after attending regularly, I was feeling amazing!
Otherwise, the premises are a bit run down. The showers look a bit shady (I never use them) and there is no water fountain or air conditioning. Overall just an unpretentious place to go get some exercise.
Update: They have air conditioning now! But definitely bring your own water bottle! -
Review from Kathy H.
Evanston, IL
1/26/2011
I'm 29 years old and have been a member of Ultimate Fitness for about 3 weeks now, and all I can say is WOW! I've belonged to two other gyms in Evanston, and neither of them add up. There may not be TVs on the treadmills, but who cares because the treadmill is now a supplemental way for me to work on my cardio.
In other gyms I joined, I would try the different classes, barely break a sweat, and ditch the classes to go back to my usual routine of working out by myself. That's not the story with the classes here! I've never gotten my heart rate up so high or burned so many calories as in this gym's one-hour boxing class AND it's something fun and functional. I actually get something out of the classes and they make up the main part of my workout program. I feel stronger already. There are other classes too, like pilates, yoga, core strengthening, other martial arts, and a triathlon training program ALL INCLUDED!
The gym may seem intimidating to some women when first walking in because there are free weight machines, martial arts mats and a boxing ring. Have no fear - plenty of women of all ages work out here. The owner, staff, and members are all super-friendly and willing to help you out if you don't know how to throw a punch or wrap your hands. I felt comfortable and like I belonged from day one.
Joining Ultimate Fitness was the best fitness move I made. Working out is fun again! -
Review from David L.
Evanston, IL
4/12/2011 1 photo
Just keep in mind. I rarely give five stars out to any business. I am a 38 year old man who played many different sports throughout my lifetime. I have also belong to many different gyms and found them to be the same old thing. This gym has changed my whole philosophy on working out. Keeping trach of how many reps of sets I could do would bore me to no end. Learning a skill like boxing or mixed martial arts kept my attention for much longer than any other gym could.
Now, you may ask the question "couldn't any gym that offers boxing or mixed martial arts give me the same results?" Good question but, I haven't mentioned the relationship between the owner, Dave Englund and his staff, and you as the member. This is like a family. I injured my elbow a couple of weeks ago and Dave took it upon himself to help me stretch it out and massage my elbow (what owner of another gym does that?). It was like this since I first walked into the gym about 4 years ago. Marc, one of the trainers, greeted my wife and myself with a huge smile, and took us around to show us what the gym offers. I signed up that day, didn't need a trial membership, I wanted to get in on this right away.
Again, I couldn't recommend this gym higher. -
Review from Payal G.
Chicago, IL
9/20/2010
Boy do I miss and love this place. This place changed my life and I have yet to find a gym close to this one. I would give this place 10 stars any day!
I started out at Ultimate Fitness about 6 years ago and this place was amazing. A friend of mine trained there and asked me to come check out the place and join the gym and so I checked it out and joined the same day. I remember walking in and first thing I hear is Dave yelling at the top of his lungs and making people of all ages run and then jump rope. I thought to myself, "Hell, I am never ever doing that. They have a stair stepper so I'm set!" I should have known better. Dave is one of the most caring gym owner's I have ever met. He takes pride in everyone at the gym and pushes them to do their best. I remember my first day in boxing class (after 3 months of me working out on the stair stepper and watching Dave give me that look) I had to run my first mile by myself. I have to tell you guys I lost a good 30 to 40 pounds b/c of this gym. So I start running and could hardly make it around the corner let alone run a mile. Well, less then halfway around the corner I hear someone say come on, don't stop, keep on going. Two of the gym members come back to help me finish my run. (Today I consider both husband and wife my closes friends ever) They both took me under their wings and personally trained me to run better and box better. Long story short, I started boxing that day and loved it. If it was not for Dave and that look and the push off of my stair stepper I would have never stepped into a boxing class or a boxing ring and never would have lost the weight I did and learned to love a sport I knew I would hate.
Dave loves to push people to do their best. He shows you that no matter how hard it is you can do it if you try. Six years later, I am going longer at Ultimate Fitness; but I wish I was there; I do keep in touch with gym members from there. I miss that place more then I miss any other place. I go back and visit and it just brings a smile to my face. That gym has gone thru many wall color changes, gym equipment changes, and so on but the two things that have always stayed the same; Dave and the gym members. The gym members have been there for over 6 years and they all, like Dave take pride in that place. They all helped change my life and gave me the opportunity to see a better me.
To me, that's what a gym should be a place where you can see a better and healthier you. Not a place you have to walk in with ten pounds of makeup and your Sunday best outfit to workout in.
Finally, I can't wait for the day I get to become a member of the Ultimate Fitness gym again! -
Review from Carrie F.
Chicago, IL
8/11/2007
UltFit is located above LakeCity Dry Cleaning and near the Northwestern campus in Evanston. The owners say:
"Ultimate Fitness is a place to teach effective practices in an open, friendly atmosphere. We work together and share our enthusiasm and dedication in what we do. This club exists for our members. Our group classes have a supportive atmosphere where participants grow by learning from each other, and helping each other achieve their physical and emotional goals."
Though it is small, it has so much to offer. I won't even be able to mention it all. Pilates, kickboxing, yoga, boxing, gyrotonics, gyrokinesis, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and X-bike classes to name a few.
The best part about the gym, however, is the owners and the staff. They are always willing to help anyone, and there are always new fitness techniques introduced at UltFit.
Oh, AND you are guaranteed to feel at home here. Regular, everyday people are patrons of the gym; as well tight-toned gym goers. -
Review from Masha K.
Chicago, IL
8/2/2008
This is the best gym I have ever been a member of!!!! I joined July of 2007 and have loved every single class I have taken there.
I have not only transformed my body but gained confidence and met a lot of really great people.
This place is all about heart and soul. There is no B.S., you come there to work out and push yourself to the limit. It's not about pretension or showing off, it's about sweating and working hard in an accepting community.
I came there because I wanted to learn how to box. At first, I was intimidated and was afraid of looking stupid. After the first class I realized that I could put my ego aside because I was overwhelmed with the joy of this amazing activity!!!!
Never in a million years did I think that I would be able to go into a ring and spar and I did it!
If you have ever considered boxing for sport, recreation or just to get fit, you will LOVE this gym. The instructors are absolutely amazing--- After a few months of consistent attendance, I began to feel that this was my little family.
A year later, I can't wait to go to boxing class and feel disappointed when I am away from the gym.
Sadly, I am moving away- I wish I had found this place earlier in my life. As it is, this has been a wonderful experience and I only wish for others to know the joy that is UltFit in Evanston. -
Review from Leemar S.
Skokie, IL
7/18/2010 7 Check-ins Here
I've been going here for almost two years now. This gym is not your fancy lifetime fitness, it's not xsport and it's not ballys.. You will need to bring your own towel and water bottle otherwise you will sweat yourself till you're drenched from the heat, and dehydrate after finding out there is no water fountain. If you wear make up to the gym, don't bother joining. Great for people who want to shape up!
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Review from Matt B.
Chicago, IL
3/30/2010 2 photos
This is a 2 part review:
With the utmost sincerity, I believe that joining this gym has been one of the best choices I could have made for myself with respect to my health.
I've been a member of UltFit since August of 2009. Here I am 7 months later...sans 30 lbs! No joke.
Instruction:
During my 7 months at UltFit, I've been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Jeff Serafin, a tenured brown belt under world class black belt Jack McVicker. If you are wondering about the legitimacy of the type of training in which you would be immersed, I challenge you to find any literature around that doesn't hold Jeff Serafin's or Jack McVicker's grappling experience in high regard. I can't deny the fact that I am partially biased, but these two BJJ practitioners are among the best grapplers in the Midwest.
The space:
Per high demand, UltFit recently expanded on their mat space to accommodate the ever-growing number of Muay Thai and BJJ participants. They also have a full-size Octagon for MMA and grappling sparring, along with their giant mat space and boxing ring.
The people:
I have found some great training partners at this gym. From a training perspective, there are a number of people who have pushed me to excel and hold me accountable for training as much as I can. It's very common for us to email each other and set up small training sessions where we have informal workouts.
Other than the fact that the members are great work out accountability partners, there is also a sense of camaraderie within our gym, whether it's going out to a local pub having a few beers after training, watching UFC fights together, traveling to various competitions across the Midwest, or attending a "Fight Night" at the gym where local amateurs duke it out (really fun stuff!)- you can see us together both on and off the mats.
The price:
You will not be able to beat the price of this gym for what it offers. Hands down. Trust me.
Here's the 2nd part of my review- as a response to Benjamin G:
I'm not sure where Benjamin G. is coming from. As far as calling the owner a racist- there are people in the gym (both employees and patrons) from all walks of life, creed and color, and in the substantial hours I've put into the gym I've never witnessed racist or erratic behavior from any of the gym's employees.
In fact, I consider the owner to be kind and giving. There was a recent fight night where he raised over $2,000 to support someone from the community with an illness. You can be the judge, but this act of kindness comes from someone with good character.
If you aren't convinced, please send me a PM or stop by to check the place out and join us! -
Review from sarah m.
Chicago, IL
2/28/2010
The Pilates classes are great. Have not taken other classes there. David (the owner) is excellent. He has also trained other teachers and they are all good.
The problem is that during the week the Pilates classes are at 5:30pm, so if you work downtown there is NO way to make it. On weekends, there is one at 1230 on Sat and one at 2pm on Sunday. I have tried to go consistently but cannot make the weekday times, and weekend times are *right* in the middle of the day and often difficult to fit into my schedule.
I love the classes here! I wish they would add a few at better hours!!! -
Review from Richard G.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 6/17/2010 12 photos
Don't believe a word this guy Benjamin G. has been saying, talking bad about the owner and the gym. He did not mention a thing about what the gym offer's instead he has made it a personal attack between him and the owner.I have witness many good deeds that do not need to be mentioned and I can say that Dave is a man of excellent character, not perfect but a great human being. I have been a member since 2007 and I am very proud to speak out and defend him when some idiot try's to make false accusations and claims. Go to Ultfit and talk to any memeber and you will no doubt hear the same.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/5/2008
I spend most of my time here swinging kettle bells or rolling around on the mat working on my BJJ… Read more »
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Review from Emily H.
Evanston, IL
3/3/2011
I have been a member of the Evanston Boxing Club (Ultimate Fitness or Ultfit) for three years now and I would never go back to any of the big corporate chain gyms. What sets Ultfit apart from the others are their classes and the people who teach them. From pilates to boxing to morning "boot camp" the instructors are all great at getting the most out of everyone without being intimidating and while still managing to have a lot of fun. I look forward to classes there, even after a long, exhausting day at work. If you're in Evanston and want to get in better shape Ultfit will help you do that in a friendly, comfortable and welcoming environment.
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Review from Mark G.
Milwaukee, WI
10/18/2009
I checked out the Ult gym on Saturday October 17th for their fight night, it was a very nice gym, a great night of fights and very well organized. There were 10 fights, all of which were very interesting, the fighters definitely showed their talents, all but one fight really kept the audiences attention, though I won't say which one was slow and not very interesting. There will a fund raiser for cancer on November 13th and I will most definitely be there to show my support of the gym and the charity.
Listed in: Boxing Gyms
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Review from Paul M.
Chicago, IL
5/5/2009
I have tried many different gyms.
I like this one so much that I drive from Chicago area to Evanston 5 days a week to work out here and get some of the best boxing instruction in the city. The people are great, the energy is intense, the price is affordable, the quality/value ratio is the best. Do yourself a favor and sign up.
Sure if you are looking for fancy amenities, keep looking. You won't find them here.
This gym has been pivotal for me in transforming from a wussy momma's boy to a buff stud feeling comfortable and strong in his body and getting more attention from women than I ever have! -
Review from yuri r.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 2/18/2009
Chicago MMA (mixed martial arts) gym, boxing, Muay Thai, pilates, weights, kettlebells. I can go on and on. After training for years in Muay Thai I was lucky to discover this chicago mixed martial arts place and fitness center. For the low monthly fees they charge, you'd be shocked at the the ability to take more than 50 different classes a week. Their Chicago MMA program is run by Rick Sollo and Marius Dan for Muay Thai, and Jeff Serfain Of MccVicker Jujitsu for Brazilian Jujitsu. You can take morning boot camp or evening pilates. A lot of my friends have joined this place and love the no-nonsense core workouts. Everything is top notch and they have 1500 sq. foot jujitsu mats, octagon cage, and boxing rings as well!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/19/2008
There are not too many authentic Chicago Thai Boxing And Mixed martial Arts Places. I wont comment… Read more »
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Review from Benjamin G.
Evanston, IL
3/26/2010
I am about to describe the WORST experience I ever had at a gym or any other public place, for that matter. The first thing I want to say is: don't even think about going to Ultimate Fitness!! I believe the owner of the place is a racist person and will try to take your money at any cost. He kicked me out of the gym screaming to my face "I don't want your money; get out of my f**king gym and get out of my f**king country!" (I'm a foreign student at Northwestern University) and then he immediately charged my credit card for $83. Here's how it happened (it's going to be a long review but it is worth reading if you care about your money and your integrity).
I had frozen my membership for the summer because I was away from Evanston. When I came back I had a badly sprained ankle and couldn't go to the gym. I went to see if I could freeze it for one month, while I was in physiotherapy, but was told by the owner that it was not possible to freeze it (which was a lie, as you'll see further down). After I recovered from the injury, I started going to the gym again until it was time for me to move abroad - which I had mentioned the day I signed up for my membership and was told at the time that it would not be a problem. So I went to say that I wanted to cancel the membership because I was moving out of the country. I was told that it was not possible, so I asked for a copy of my contract and they refused to give one to me, saying that they did not have it at the time. After some insistence the owner gave me a copy of a standard contract which he said contained the same terms as all the contracts that were signed at the gym. That contract mentioned that anyone had the right to cancel their membership if he/she moved 25 miles away from the gym. 25 miles! I was moving to another country, let alone another continent! It also mentioned that in case of injury, the member did not have to pay the membership for the time of the injury.
Next day (the day I was flying out of Evanston) I went to talk to the owner again and first he said that all of the things I was reading from the contract did not apply to me because I was a student. I asked him where in the contract or in any other document was mentioned that students had different conditions, and he then said he did not want to talk to me because he was busy. So he sent me to talk to the guy at the reception desk. As I was explaining the fact that I was moving out of the country to the guy in the reception the owner came speaking loudly that if I wanted out I had to pay him the 2 months that I had left plus the 3 months for which I froze the contract and that the least he would take was 3 months payment. Then he went away yelling to the other guy to ignore me. Then he came back again this time yelling to me that I was a thief and that I wanted to steal from him and his family business. I confronted him saying that I did not want to steal anything, but rather wanted to be treated fairly, according to what I had been told when I signed up and according to the contract that he gave me himself. I also told him about the injury that I had and about the lie that he told me and he asked me what my injury had been. I told him it was a badly sprained ankle and that I even had the bills from the physiotherapy and he said: "that is bullsh*t; that is no injury; I have people with no legs that still came to the gym to work out".
After some more discussion he stood up close to my face as if to threaten me and yelled again that I was a thief and that I wanted to steal from him. When I started replying to his comment he screamed "I don't want your money; get out of my f**cking gym and get out of my f**cking country!!" and started walking away. I asked him if that was the way it was going to be and he came back threateningly saying "yeah, that's the way it is going to be". I got out of the gym thinking that it was over, but no. After a couple of hours I was at the airport and checked my account balance through my phone and saw that he had charged my account, without my authorization, the amount he wanted me to pay. I'm still trying to recover that money.
Once again, I know this is a long review, but I see the other reviews and think it is necessary for other people to know what kind of person runs this gym so they know they have to be careful with their money in this establishment. -
Review from J C.
Chicago, IL
1/28/2011
This review is for the Boot Camp program at Ultfit:
Matt's Boot Camp program has really changed my life. I was never motivated to stick with a fitness routine. I always gave up after a couple of months and would go back my lazy ways. But something that stuck out right from the start for me was the number of people in the class that had been doing it for years - the repeaters. They all told me that the program was different and that the results you get speak for themselves. They were right.
When I first started coming to Boot Camp in July of 2009 I was in pretty bad shape. Through the course of the program I noticed that I was not only losing weight and getting fit, but was becoming stronger as well. Everyone around me commented on how great I looked and that I seemed like a whole new person. The great thing about this program is that it constantly challenges me and never gets boring due to the variety. We do a different workout everyday that builds upon the previous one. Matt pushes you, but in an encouraging and effective way. He always made me feel that if I stuck with it I would improve and I did! He is very professional, honest and makes everyone feel welcomed. He creates a positive environment conducive to learning and wants you to walk away from his program with the knowledge to be able to do your own workouts. I am actually proud of what I have accomplished so far and can't wait to see where I will be at the end of the next session.
So if you want to lose weight, get in shape, and have fun first thing in the morning, come join us. It's not easy and you'll definitely sweat, but you won't regret it.
Over a year and a half later I still feel amazing and determined to keep improving. It truly is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I am a boot camper for life! -
Review from Sally A.
Chicago, IL
1/26/2011
This is the best gym, ever! Don't expect a "health club." Do expect to get the ultimate in instruction in group classes as well as with one-on-one training. Workouts vary so they never get boring and are best for your body. No matter your age or physical ability, if you want to get serious about your work-outs and health, this is the gym for you. I am over 50 years old and in the best shape of my life. There is a lot of comradeship without having to compete with anyone else or wear fancy clothes. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention, I love my gym!!
