CrossFit Impact

All of the other negative reviews here are spot-​on. One of the cornerstones of CrossFit is the community aspect, and unfortunately this gym falls completely short of that. The head coach (and owner I assume), Carlos, is completely unprofessional, unreliable and rude. There are plenty of other high-​quality CrossFit locations near this one and I would recommend attending those instead of Crossfit Impact, even if you have to spend some additional time driving there.
After reading other people’s reviews and suffering my own terrible experience here, my advice would be to steer clear of this place and don’t make the same mistake I did.

I was a member for 1 year. Gym is very neat and organized. The members are friendly. The box only has one certified coach and that is the owner who is very strict in a way that does not make it an enjoyable experience. He has poor customer service skills and as you can read from the previous reviews he has control issues. He does not post his prices and after talking with several members he was giving us all different prices. If you challenge him in any way such as telling him you need to modify the exercise so it works better for your health issues, he does not take it well and will ask you to leave. I think he wants to mean well but he is very young and does not quite know how to run a business with poor customer service skills especially when the members are paying at least $ 150 per month, then he should realize who is paying for his gym to stay open. Crossfit is an amazing community though. You just have to find the right fit.

Since sharing my review of owner Carlos Montoya, of Crossfit Impact, I have been contacted by countless people who have had similar experiences. The outpouring of support had truly been an eye opener. Apparently the list of people he has mistreated is long and continues to grow.
This gym is NOT RECOMMENDED to anyone who desires to be treated with equality and/​or as an adult. The owner is far from professional. There are quite a few crossfit gyms in the area and I suggest you visit one of those instead.

Crossfit impact has been an extremely positive experience for me. I have always considered myself to be in shape and a hard worker at the gym, but there came a point where I felt stuck with some of my lifts. CFI has challenged me both mentally and physically and has made me realize that I can push myself a lot further then I was doing alone at the gym.
Carlos has been an amazing coach, and has helped me focus on my form, helping me increase both strength and flexibility. He has done everything from creating personalized weekly workouts to posting one of a kind videos that all help me achieve my personal goals/​results.
The CFI community has also been an extremely positive and unique experience. Everyone is welcoming, defying the stereotype cult crossfit scene. All members support each other constantly, and push one another to achieve personal fitness goals.
I have been working out for many years and have never felt so challenged and comfortable in a gym atmosphere. I am so happy that I found my niche at this gym, and although I have realized that I am not in as good of shape as I thought I was, I look forward to every work out, for I know I will be challenged and supported.
Thank you Carlos for creating this positive and supportive atmosphere, I am no longer stuck and will continue to push myself and support those around me.

I was at CFI for about half a year while I was 16 before having to stop because of nerve damage along my cervical spine, and looking back now at the experience I am shocked by some of the things that I was exposed to. Carlos calls it the best crossfit gym in chicago with some of the best coaches in the business, yet now I realized the falsehood of those claims. After taking almost a year to recover from my spine injury I continued to oly lift and now compete, and have realized much of what I have learned as a weightlifter from some very high level coaches is completely contradictory to some of the things I learned at CFI. I guess it is easy to convince someone who doesn’t know much that you are teaching them correctly and are very knowledgeable. As a business it is also much more expensive than Crossfit Haven for, in my opinion, much less. I knew many of the people there are paying different prices for the same exact plans, which is super sketchy especially when the prices hadn’t gone up.
Some of the things that we did there also made no sense. I remember we used to max out our bench press every week. How was that supposed to translate to functional fitness? How did doing floor presses help someone who had never picked up a barbell? How do «top level coaches» not know the difference between a snatch balance and a drop snatch?
One of the days that we were maxing out our deadlifts, (in a beginner class with a bunch of people who had never deadlifted before… seems smart) I made pretty big weight jumps because at that point I had a pretty good deadlift and wanted to see if I could get there that day. As I went up in weight, Carlos got very upset and pulled me aside and told him I was not nearly experienced enough to know how to do this properly, yet everybody else in the class looked like they were about to slip a disc because their form was so ugly.
Terrible coaching, bad prices, get treated like children. I applaud CFI’s desire to help people become their best version of themselves — if that is actually what they want — but their way was terrible for me and I am thankful I had a good excuse to stop coming to that gym and hide my CFI t shirt in the back of my closet.

They’re nothing but great things at CrossFit Impact! I cannot even fully explain with words how much I have enjoyed my time here as wells as the atmosphere, athletes, coaches, and events the gym puts on.
I have a very common story about my workout regimen and how it lead me to start CrossFit. I worked out a local gym, spent too much time there, did not accomplish much, and got tired of the same old workouts by myself. I found CrossFit Impact online and looked to be the best gym in the area so without a moment’s hesitation I scheduled my intro. I have enjoyed beyond belief my time here since that day.
To start off, the atmosphere and athletes are completely unique. You will not find a better group of people, who all want to be healthy, stay strong, and have fun while doing it. I have made some very close friends in my time here, which I never expected when I started, and at the same time have reached fitness goals beyond expectation with their help as well as the help of the owner Carlos.
Carlos is the best coach I have ever come across and at the same time a truly amazing man. He takes care of every single person around him. He is a truly genuine man that cares for people and takes care of them to an extent I have not seen before. In addition, he takes his athletes health very seriously and learns from some of the best coaches in the industry of Olympic lifting and powerlifting. Everyone is extremely strong and healthy thanks to Carlos’ desire to continually learn from and be the best.
Lastly, the events that are thrown at the gym are a blast and you can’t miss them! There is a wide range of events from Olympic lifting and Rowing seminars to Holiday parties and Paleo Potlucks. I have had an great time at each of them.
If you are looking for a gym to get strong, stay healthy, have fun, and experience a high level of service, CrossFit Impact is the place for that and so so much more!

I have been a member of Crossfit Impact for about 2 years and I love it. The owner/​coach, Carlos, is a true professional invested in every athlete’s success. He and the other coaches are knowledgeable, consistent, patient, attentive and motivating! Their goals are to be certain EVERY member has a great workout EVERY time. Crossfit can be intimidating but in an atmosphere like at CFI there is a place for everyone. Make no mistake, there are some elite and amazing athletes here but there are also others who just want to get fit and strong. Every WOD is scalable and can be modified to accommodate trouble spots, previous injuries, etc. As an unexpected bonus you may find that you meet some wonderful friends who treat your success as their own and are always there to cheer you on. If you’re ready for the workout of a lifetime then check your ego and your attitude at the door and come experience all the great things happening at CFI, it will change your life.

I wanted to take the time and share my experience at Crossfit Impact. I’ve always heard a lot about Crossfit, specially about the high intensity workouts. I was really apprehensive, I didn’t think that my petite frame could handle the infamous WODs! Well so far so GREAT! My previous workout regimen featured cardio on intervals along with lifting weights on the machines; we’ll I never really got good results. I mean I felt like I was doing so much and getting back so little. That all changed rapidly with CFI. My body is the best it has ever been, and I feel so strong! In such little time I have transformed my body for the better! I only go about twice a week and have been going for about 3 months now. I fell great! I feel so blessed to be part of this gym. I feel like it isn’t a gym though, you get way more than that! It’s more like a club without the stuffiness. I feel that the knowledge and the attention to correctly lifting weights and exercises is amazing! All you have to do is listen! I’m so happy that I took the first class and pushed my self to be opened minded and experience what all the fuss is about! The gym is great! Members are so nice and helpful and Coach Carlos is so knowledgable and everything you would expect from a professional trainer! Really happy here, won’t ever go anywhere else!

Let me start by saying I’m usually not one to leave lengthy reviews on here because I have better things to do with my time but after reading some of the BS reviews about CrossFit Impact & the owner, Carlos, I felt compelled to set the record straight.
I’ve been a member of CrossFit Impact for just about two years & it has become a second home to me. In my opinion it is also the BEST CF gym in the Chicago area. I don’t say this lightly either but I’ve been to at least 10 different CF boxes in Chicago along with about 30 others across the country & overseas and I’ve yet to find a box that has even half of what CFI has.
Facility & Equipment
CFI is kept in perfect condition by the staff & the community as everyone respects rules that are clearly laid out for you when you become a member. I’ve never seen a cleaner or more organized CF gym.
One reviewer made a ignorant comment about not being allowed to drop a barbell with 10lbs plates on each side because it would damage the floor. That’s not the case you idiot, you’re discouraged from dropping because if you drop a barbell w/​10lb plates from overhead, you’re pretty much guaranteeing your going to break those plates. That’s just common sense! The equipment costs a lot of money (I know as I also have some of the similar equipment at home) so if things are continually getting broken it will eventually raise costs to the members.
Staff & Programming
Carlos & his coaching staff (past — Stefan & Lindsay; present — John & Eric C.) have always been very helpful, encouraging, & passionate about making you a better athlete. They make sure that you workout within your means by ensuring that you scale the workouts appropriately so that you don’t yourself at risk for injury. The door is always open to talk to Carlos or the staff about anything which is great to know.
The programming is top notch! Each class follows the same methodology: Mobility & stretching, warm-​up, strength or skill work (depends on the day), & lastly the MetCon aka «WOD» (work out of the day). You won’t find many CF gyms that follow the strength programming of the famous Westside Barbell (For those that don’t know, Westside Barbell has produced more record setting power lifters than any other gym. The results from their program is proven across the world). Everything programmed into the day has a purpose & it is not thrown together like at some gyms.
Cost
For unlimited monthly classes I pay $ 210/​month and have paid that same price since I started. I’m not sure where the confusion has been with some of the other reviewers. When you sign up to pick the package you want & the price stays the same until the end of the contract.
Community
The people at CFI are the best! You’ll find all ages (16 – 65) & all shapes & sizes at CFI that are all striving to do one thing, become stronger & healthier!
I’ve made some really good friends through my time at CFI & couldn’t ask for a better place to workout everyday. I know I can always talk to Carlos or the other coaches if something is bothering me whether it is CF related or about my personal life. They really do care about you as an individual & want you to continue to grow & develop both inside & outside of the gym.
There is always something going on outside of the gym as well including charity events, happy hours, BBQs, holiday parties, etc which are always fun & a great way to further your experience & improve the relationships you’ve started during your workouts.
Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend CrossFit Impact to anyone in or near Glenview because you won’t find a better CF gym in the area. I hope I never have to move away from here because I know I won’t be able to find a gym that would be able to hold a candle to CFI.
If you want to know more feel free to message me on here & I’d be happy to share more about my experience at CFI with you.

So I have an extensive background in fitness and just so we’re straight, crossfit also. I went in to join the gym and was told that «I am sorry I am busy but I will call you back» This he did 30 mins later. Our conversation went something like this: him: «what are you looking for in a crossfit gym?» Me: «I simply want to get a good workout and have fun! i have years of experience in lifting and dont really need help just want to feel like i got a good one in. I had been a member at a few crossfit gyms and so far they have not worked out for me» him: «Well I have some of the worlds record holding olympic and power lifters that come to my gym. And everybody has to go through his program, no matter how long you been lifting for you can always need help. Me: «I understand that, but I really dont need help with my lifts I just want to enjoy my workouts, get in, workout and go.» His response: «I don’t think we’ll be a good fit.»
Okay– so here’s where I am going to start. First off, I was dumb founded that he did not want to take on somebody that honestly would be a very easy client (free money). Secondly, I saw his equipment it’s the basic crossfit equipment he absolutely does not have world record holding power lifters and olympic lifters at his gym. For two reasons, first off– he doesn’t have the specialty equipment and I am personally friends with third in the world for power lifting in super heavy and I know all his friends (littlebridge group) and they train at jakked hardcore gym. That was a blatant lie– trying to make himself look better than he is. As I actual certified personal trainer, I have taken the crossfit course, it is not an accredited certification. All it is– is the ability to say you are now a crossfit coach. It is a two day program that teaches you simple lifts and methodology. It teaches you nothing about muscle and bone mechanics, primary movers, ie: the human body. It’s a joke.

Thank God there are two crossfit gyms located in Glenview. I learned the hard way that this is the one you don’t want to join. I have been doing crossfit for a little over two years. I started out at Windy City Crossfit, where I was a member for two years. I was totally hooked. I had never picked up a barbell in my life and as they say, I drank the «kool aid.»
Before moving to Glenview I attended a seminar on double unders. I met a CFI member there and told her I was moving and CFI was the closest gym to our new home. I asked her if she liked it. She said it was «fine», but some people thought Carlos, the owner, was a little stand offish and cold. It was a less than positive response, but I really don’t have issues with people and if I was not best friends with the owner of my gym my world would not end. It’s funny now that I am writing this review because when I read the reviews for Crossfit Haven, the other crossfit gym in Glenview, a Unilocaler describes the owner of CFI as being not «personable.» I really wish I had read some reviews before signing up which is why I feel the need to write one now.
It is true that the owner is impersonable, but his business skills leave much to be desired as well. I joined CFI in March with a contract for 9 months that cost me $ 195 for three visits a week. Crossfit is expensive, but this is EXTREMELY pricey. You can get the same deal without a contract at Crossfit Haven for $ 36 bucks cheaper a month. The first month I was a member of CFI they canceled Saturday classes for the regular membership holders because they were holding a special WOD for people who paid extra ($ 65 or so) to do a lifetime challenge or something. I like to go on Saturdays and I had paid to be able to go on Saturdays. This was the first sign I got that keeping their members happy might not be a priority. The owner kept sending an email asking for feedback as a new member. I did not say anything because I don’t like to rock the boat. I knew I had a 9 month contract and the owner was unfriendly enough. Pointing out his lack of business sense, let alone common sense, may have left him even more disgruntled.
The crossfit regionals came to Chicago one weekend in the spring. One of the coaches, who happened to be the owner’s girlfriend, was a participant. Surprise, surprise… classes on Saturday were canceled and then Friday evening classes were also canceled shortly after so the owner could watch the competition. I guess he never thought of accommodating the paying members of his gym by providing another coach so that no one lost out. The more I thought about it, the more I decided it was time for me to provide the feedback for which he had been asking. I wrote a very nice email stating that I was disappointed the members could not be accommodated and it was the second time it had happened in two to three months. He responded that «all gyms are different.» Weird response, but yes, gyms are different. Some are good, some are bad. This one is bad. But, I still had at least 6 months on my contract so that was that.
About a month later I get some weird email from asking me to have a meeting. Seriously, crossfit is a hobby and form of exercise, why do I need to have a «meeting» with the owner? Then I get an email saying he refunded my membership for that month. This all happened in one day. So I call him and he starts yelling over the phone that he doesn’t like my «behavior.» I was confused. Had I accidentally called my kindergarten teacher? I asked him to please explain and he said he was «not going to get into it.» It was quite obvious that while he had asked for my feedback, he did not like it when I gave it to him. There are countless ways this could have been handled more professionally that anyone with some level of social awareness could figure out.
I got out of my contract, which is awesome, and I got to go to a different gym (Crossfit Haven) that is cheaper and much better. In terms of atmosphere, Crossfit Impact could stand to improve as well. It is extremely rigid. You are not allowed to drop a barbell with 10 lbs on each side. They encourage new members to join who may have never lifted weights before. They want you to lift as much weight as you can, but please, don’t drop your weight on the concrete floor of the warehouse. Their floor is more important than your…(insert body part). It’s a warehouse, not a crystal ballroom. Instead of respectfully asking people not to move the bins of chalk, they just nailed them to the floor one day. This is the way you would treat a child, not grown adults.
It has been a while since I was last in CFI, but I still felt like I needed to reflect on the negative experience I had there. I would strongly suggest you look at the positive reviews for the other crossfit gym in Glenview, Crossfit Haven, before making your decision on where to join if you are interested in getting into crossfit.