Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Durdin and Martin Chuick.
Matthew and Martin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
For a number of years, Marty and I worked together at a local chain gym in Lakeview as personal trainers. We both shared the same philosophies and passion for our profession. We wanted to build the perfect space of our own that provided our clients and the local community with everything necessary to achieve their fitness and health goals. Be it nutrition consultation, personal training, or training with their friends in a small focused group.
For a year, we planned and searched for the perfect spot in our neighborhood which we eventually found at 1057 W Belmont (Belmont and Seminary) about a block away from the red line train stop. Space had been vacant for quite some time and prior to us was once the old alderman’s office. Needless to say, it was definitely in need of some major changes in order to transform it into the facility it is today. It took Marty and I about 3 months of hard work along with the help of friends and clients to renovate the place and get the doors open and ready to start training.
Fast forward 3 years and here we are today. We are thriving, working hard, and still growing to be the best that we can be. Thanks to the support of our family, friends, and amazing clients we are here to stay and strive to have the best training facility in the city.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It is definitely a great challenge for us to take care of all of the responsibilities of a small business owner and train full time as well.
The most daunting and stressful part of the whole process was being patient and trying to find the right location. Then since we were not established yet, having to take the risk of signing a 5-year lease without knowing if our plan was going to be successful or not.
Luckily we had some good connections through friends and clients that helped us out with all of the red tape of getting incorporated and getting all of the proper licenses, etc.
Please tell us about Unrivaled Fitness.
Unrivaled Fitness is not just another training facility in Chicago. We are not a fad, quick fix, or the latest craze that will be gone in a few months. Our motto is no shortcuts.
We believe there is no strict militant exercise system that will work for everyone. Every individual is unique. We will do whatever it takes to help you reach your goals safely and comfortably utilizing programs that are conducive for your specific lifestyle. When you come to train with us you will find that we have built a strong family atmosphere at our facility. We will show you we care through our actions, not just our words.
We offer personal training, nutrition consultation, and small group training. We have 3 different small group classes, Strength and Conditioning, Fight Club, and Unrivaled Rowing. The strength and conditioning classes have all of the best functional equipment right at your fingertips in a class with a maximum of 10 people. Plenty of one on one attention, and a butt-kicking workout all for the price of a drink downtown.
Class begins with a 10-minute warm-up, then you will be taken through a series of circuits that focus on strength and conditioning for all major muscle groups. The exercises are timed so that you can push yourself at your own pace. Also, different variations of exercises will be demonstrated so that you can make things easier or harder based on your fitness level. We wrap up the class with a good cool-down consisting of myofascial release and stretching.
Every class is designed in its own unique way, so you will never repeat the same class and get plenty of variety. All stations are set up with everything you need to get the best results. Resistance bands, battle ropes, medicine balls, bosus, stability balls, step ups, kettlebells, dumbbells, and jungle gym xt’s are all things you can expect to use in a session. As mentioned before all classes are capped at 10 people so you will have plenty of space and receive personal attention as well.
Fight Club is a unique, free-form designed class that enables you to let out your aggression on our stand up heavy bags, have fun with your friends working combos with focus mitts, and challenge yourself with some great exercises with the best in functional strength training equipment.
Unrivaled Row is designed to help increase your cardiovascular output, and burn some serious calories. These classes offer a mix of rowing and conditioning exercises utilizing battle ropes, medicine balls, bosus, and other miscellaneous equipment.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Some of my favorite memories as a child were spent on family road trips through the Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains. I come from a large family with 6 siblings and we are all two years apart, so you can imagine how difficult it was for our parents to deal with us all in one vehicle on the road like that, haha.
Pricing:
- first time buyers can purchase unlimited small group training for 30 days = $99. This includes all classes
Contact Info:
- Address: 1057 W Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60657
- Website: www.unrivaledfitness.com
- Phone: 773-661-6035
- Email: matt@unrivaledfitness.com
- Instagram: @unrivaledfit
- Facebook: @unrivaledfitnessnutrition
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
