About WCCF

About WCCF

 

Windy City CrossFit is a dedicated, full time strength and conditioning facility...the first CrossFit facility in Chicago. We have enough Kettlebells, barbells, dumbbells, bumper plates, jump boxes, medicine balls, rowers, gymnastics rings, parallettes and pull-up bars to effectively train up to 20+ athletes at a time, and we do so every day.

Whether your goals include enhanced athletic performance, weight loss, health and longevity, or just elevating your training, our mission is to enable you to look, feel and perform at your best.  We train mostly in a group setting, whether it be general strength and conditioning classes or endurance and olympic weightlifting sessions; however, at WCCF we also realize that each person presents a unique situation which should be reflected in a customized program design and nutritional prescription.  For this reason, we also offer individual coaching options. 

Our WCCF coaches are highly trained and certified individuals with a lifelong dedication to health and fitness.  Experienced at managing groups as well as working with individuals in a one-on-one setting, our staff can help implement the best possible route for you to reach your specific goals and optimal health.  We do this through individual assessments aimed at determining strengths/weaknesses, fitness, and proper nutrition strategies.  Whether you're a professional athlete looking to optimize performance, a weekend warrior training for your first marathon, or looking to begin the journey toward health and wellbeing, we are here and ready to support you.

 

 

Meet Our Coaching Staff

Justin Marcis

Certifications

• OPT CCP Level I
• CrossFit Level II
• SEAL FIT Level I
• CrossFit Basic Barbell
• CrossFit Kids
• CrossFit Gymnastics
• CrossFit Kettlebell
• USAW Club Coach
• NASM

I started CrossFit training about 5 years ago.  Like many, when I first began training with CrossFit methods and protocol, I believed that I was in great shape.  I worked out every day, played basketball 5 times a week.  I had been involved in athletics all my life - baseball, basketball, soccer.  However, my first CrossFit workout - "Helen" - quickly changed my mind.  With my pride and ego wounded, I decided right then that I was going to get certified and pursue "elite fitness."  I've never looked back. 

CrossFit makes sense on so many levels.  I love training people for life.  Through CrossFit you will become a better person - both physically and mentally stronger.  I truly believe that...I see it every day in our gym.  Coaching at Windy City CrossFit and helping to build a strong community has been an absolute honor.  I look forward to all that the future holds for WCCF.

Will Howard

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 1
• CrossFit Basic Barbell
• CrossFit Movement and Mobility
• USAW Club Coach

Will Howard grew up in Indiana playing every which sport imaginable. He went on to study psychology, music, and theater at California Lutheran University. It was then that fitness training became a major part of his life, reading the muscle mags and looking up to Schwarzenegger as a prime specimen of fitness. It was not until he decided to attend the San Francisco School of Circus Arts that he realized his idea of fitness had to change. He discovered CrossFit and has not looked back since.

Will has been CrossFitting for the past 3 years. He started on his own, working off the main site, but got his real taste of the deal at San Francisco CrossFit. Will has found CrossFit to be a perfect compliment to his training as a professional acrobat/clown. He has training in Chinese acrobatics, tumbling, gymnastic wheel, and sport acrobatics. He has CrossFit Level 1 and Basic Barbell certifications. He is excited to be a coach at Windy City CrossFit and looks forward to all the possibilities of the new space.

Jennifer Ismar

 

 

Certifications and Courses

• CrossFit Level Certified Trainer
• OPT Coaching Certification Program - in process
• CrossFit Movement & Mobility
• Gymnastic Movement Seminar with Carl Paoli
• Z-Health: Essentials of Elite Performance
• NASM
• Krav Maga: Brown Belt, level 5 student

I was first introduced to CrossFit by my Krav Maga (Israeli hand to hand combat system) instructor as she knew I loved a good challenge.  ‘Fran’ happened to be my first workout from the main site and it took me over 20 min to complete as I hadn’t quite caught on to the intensity part yet.  I remember reading some of the times people posted... less than 10 min, less than 5 min!  Where are these people from?!  And now, I’m amongst a gym full of them.

Since the first day I walked into Windy City Strength and Conditioning in April 2009, I knew I had to be a part of this great community.  As an athlete, I am proud to have represented our team at the CrossFit games in ‘09, ‘10 and at Regionals in 2011 and enjoy competing in our bi annual Olympic Weightlifting Meets.  As a coach, I am committed to supporting our members daily in their efforts towards leading a healthier lifestyle. 

In addition to leading main classes, I am available for the programs below as a means to share my knowledge and passion for fitness and health.

• Mobility 1-on-1 sessions
• Program Design
• Personal Training

Contact: Jennifer@windycitycrossfit.com

Megan Tormey

Certifications

• CrossFit Level I
• CrossFit Endurance

Unlike most Crossfitters, my relationship with Crossfit was not ‘Love at First WOD.’  I began crossfitting on my own to train for my sport (Ultimate Frisbee) and I had a difficult time adjusting to it.  I never felt comfortable with the Olympic lifts, I didn’t know how to scale workouts, and I often cherry-picked workouts based on what I wanted to do and not what I needed.  In short, I viewed Crossfit only as a means to an end.

 

In September 2008, I joined Windy City Crossfit in the hopes that it would help my Ultimate game.  Unexpectedly and very shortly thereafter, I fell in love.  The trainers gave me the direction, programming, and coaching I needed to be successful at the movements and workouts.  The community at large encouraged me to keep after my goals and to push farther than I thought possible.  What was intended merely as a training program became an important part of my life.

 

I am amazed at how Crossfit has helped me grow as an athlete, but what is more, I am amazed how much I love Crossfit as an end in and of itself.  Every day presents both a challenge and an opportunity to excel—experiencing this has had a positive impact in my life inside and outside the gym.  I know I would not have been as successful without Windy City.  Now as a coach, I am honored and eager to help other members realize and reach their potential while continuing to grow, myself.    

Sheena Lawrick

Certifications

• CrossFit Level I

I found Windy City Crossfit through my teammate Lauren Regula and her husband Dave. At the time, I was living in Fargo, North Dakota (one of the only places left in the United States that doesn’t have a Crossfit box). I was eager to start this Crossfit madness so I set up my garage box and started following WCCF in Sept of 2008. I was hooked. I love the physical and mental challenge that every WOD brings. I think the most interesting thing about Crossfit is that it gives you a rewarding and humbling feeling  at the same time. Windy City Crossfit has been a gateway to a better life for me. It has been amazing to watch the growth of WCCF from afar and now I’m so excited to be a part of it.

I’ve used Justin’s WCCF programming as my main training regime while competing in softball for Team Canada. I’ve noticed huge improvements in my strength, durability and overall athletic ability. While softball isn’t exactly a metabolically demanding sport, the ability to stay injury free is huge. 

I have a keen interest in nutrition and the extremely important role it plays in quality of life. I love reading books about nutrition and could listen to health talk radio all day.

Tyrell Gill

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 1

 

Growing up, I was constantly involved with sports throughout high school and college.   In college, I found I missed the competitive atmosphere that I had experienced with football, baseball, and basketball.  I decided to take up some boxing training, find a new level of fitness, and try my hand at the sweet science.  After a couple of matches, I knew I loved the competition and having a goal to work toward.  I also realized that getting punched in the head wasn’t quite as glamorous as it looked on T.V.  It was about this time I was introduced to CrossFit in Fort Collins, CO in June of 2008.

My first meeting with a CrossFit workout was similar to the first experience most people have.  I was exhausted, humbled, and contrary to my beliefs immediately before the WOD, I realized that I was not “in shape”.  I had to learn more.  In October 2008, I became Level 1 Certified.  Training with friends and family in Wyoming and Colorado was great, but I knew I needed to get into a box to really grow and excel as an athlete, a coach, and as a person.

In October 2010, I landed in Chicago, found Windy City CrossFit (WCCF), and became a member.  The competitive environment, camaraderie, and the outstanding community the coaches have shaped became instantly evident. 

WCCF offers the opportunity of constant self improvement in every individual.  Each day, CrossFit allows me to realize the infinite amount of knowledge there is to learn.  That makes each day an inspiration:  to improve myself, to improve other athletes, and to improve our community.

Cori Safe

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 1
• USAW Level 1 Sports Performance

Cori is a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach and CrossFit Level 1 Coach with a background in Strength & Conditioning and Olympic Weightlifting.  She is also certified by one of the most reputable strength associations in the country; the National Strength & Conditioning Association – as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist.  Her personal training certificate is from the American Council on Exercise. 

 
Cori started competing in Olympic Weightlifting at the age of 10!  She competed nationally for over ten years including winning multiple national championships and participating in the 2004 Olympic Trials for Weightlifting.  She also coached her college weightlifting team at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.  She has been training clients in Chicago, programming primarily for fat loss and strength gain.  One of her missions is to inspire females to lift, but also to coach both males and females on the proper techniques of olympic weightlifting.