Big Shoulders CrossFit
At Big Shoulders CrossFit, you'll learn the power of functional fitness using the CrossFit methodology under the guidance of our highly experienced coaches. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, our fully equipped 10-year affiliated facility offers a supportive, high-energy environment where everyone is welcome. Our passionate coaching team is committed to helping you safely and systematically progress toward your fitness goals, regardless of your starting point. Here, we teach you foundational movements, adjust workouts to your precise fitness level, and support you every step of the way. When you join Big Shoulders CrossFit, you are not just signing up for a gym—you are joining a family that will cheer you on, celebrate your milestones, and help you thrive.
Experienced Coaching Team
Our large, certified coaching staff offers detailed personal attention and scales every workout to your specific fitness level.
Strong Local Community
Engage with supportive members, build lasting friendships, and celebrate mutual milestones in a motivating environment.
Diverse Program Offerings
From Level 1 & 2 CrossFit classes to specialized Barbell clubs and programs for youth, we cover all training goals.
Brendan Ziegler
Owner & Head Coach
Brendan has been leading the Elmhurst community for over a decade. He specializes in functional scaling and athletic longevity, ensuring every workout is safe and effective.
Luke Crumley
Coach
Luke brings extensive weightlifting knowledge to the floor, helping members master complex bar movements with correct mechanics and alignment.
Elizabeth Coco
Coach
Elizabeth focuses on high-energy conditioning and cardiovascular endurance, motivating group classes to find their athletic potential.
Julia Hall
Coach
Julia specializes in mobility and functional gymnastics, guiding athletes to develop a solid foundation of control and strength.
Patricia Escobar
Coach
Patricia is passionate about helping beginners transition safely into CrossFit, emphasizing form consistency and mental resilience.
Ethan Freedman
Coach
Ethan specializes in heavy barbell progression, pushing intermediate and advanced athletes to hit new personal records cleanly.
Valerie Battisti (Lelle)
Coach
Valerie balances technical coaching with lifestyle conditioning, ensuring members feel empowered inside and outside the box.
Sarah, 34 yrs
"Big Shoulders CrossFit has completely transformed my relationship with fitness. The coaches are incredibly supportive, scaling every movement to my current level, and the community of members feels like family."
John, 42 yrs
"The programming here is top-notch. I love the technical focus in the PTS Barbell Club, and the coaches really pay attention to your form so you can make progress without getting injured."
Main Training Floor
Spacious layout with a custom pull-up rig, multiple weightlifting stations, heavy-duty rubber flooring, and gymnastic rings.
Cardio Deck
Fully stocked with Concept2 Rowers, Assault Air Bikes, and essential conditioning equipment to boost your aerobic capacity.
PTS Barbell & Lifting Zone
Dedicated area with high-quality barbells, Olympic bumper plates, and lifting platforms optimized for the PTS Barbell Club.
CrossFit Kids
A program designed specifically for young athletes to develop functional coordination, motor skills, and confidence through fun games and movements.
PTS Barbell Club
A specialized weekly session focusing entirely on the classic Olympic lifts—the snatch and the clean & jerk—to maximize power and technique.
Open Gym
Dedicated blocks for experienced members to practice gymnastics skills, log extra mobility work, or make up for missed benchmark workouts.
747 N. Church Road, Suite G5, Elmhurst, Illinois, United States
Open in Google MapsPlace ID: ChIJycRob2qzD4gReGY0MCB4lBc
CrossFit Level 1
Entraînement fonctionnel varié
CrossFit Level 2
Entraînement fonctionnel varié
PTS Barbell Club
Specialized class
Open Gym
Accès libre à l'espace d'entraînement
CrossFit Kids
CrossFit adapté pour enfants
Strengths
- Decade of Experience - Over 10 years of official CrossFit affiliation guarantees safe, structured, and field-tested training programs.
- Elite Coaching Staff - A roster of 7 distinct certified coaches ensures personalized form checks and tailored scaling during every group class.
- Specialty Lifting Focus - The dedicated PTS Barbell Club provides professional Olympic weightlifting coaching that regular gyms rarely feature.
- Wellhub Corporate Integration - Fully partnered with Wellhub, making it convenient for corporate workers in Elmhurst to seamlessly utilize company fitness perks.
Watch points
- No 24/7 Access - The gym is accessible strictly during structured morning/evening class windows, specialty times, and specific Open Gym blocks.
- Mid-Day Class Gaps - No classes are scheduled during late morning or early afternoon hours, which may require schedule adjustments for some members.
CrossFit Level 1
A class focusing heavily on foundational functional movements. Perfect for beginners, this session prioritizes mechanics, mobility, and consistent execution over heavy weight.
Objective: Technique & Basics
CrossFit Level 2
An intensive session incorporating higher-skill gymnastics, advanced barbell movements, and demanding metcons. Recommended for members with solid foundational movement mechanics.
Objective: Strength & Conditioning
PTS Barbell Club
A dedicated barbell cycling and technique class targeting the clean & jerk and snatch. Ideal for members wanting to improve physical power, speed, and heavy lifting form.
Objective: Olympic Lifting
Open Gym
An open floor session allowing athletes to follow personal progression programs, practice specific gymnastics elements, or perform recovery work under professional supervision.
Objective: Individual Practice
CrossFit Kids
An age-appropriate, interactive group class focusing on coordination, cardiovascular health, and basic functional movements in a highly supportive, play-oriented environment.
Objective: Functional Movement & Fun
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Situated on N. Church Road in Elmhurst, Illinois, the gym lies within a vibrant, accessible business park environment. The area perfectly accommodates high-intensity fitness and functional outdoor run segments when the weather permits.
Public transport
Pace Suburban Bus Route 332 stops along Church Road nearby, and the main Elmhurst Metra Station (Union Pacific West Line) is only a short drive away.
Parking
An expansive, hassle-free private surface parking lot with free spaces is available directly in front of the Suite G5 entryway.
Landmarks
Approach
We believe functional fitness is the ultimate vehicle for lifelong physical wellness. By prioritizing group training and solid movement foundations, we build physical capabilities that carry over to real life.
Methodology
We utilize the core, scientifically proven CrossFit methodology—constantly varied, high-intensity functional movement. Under close coach supervision, every session includes active form adjustment and dynamic pacing.
Progression
Athletes begin with Level 1 movements, gradually incorporating heavier loads and complex gymnastics in Level 2. Ongoing coach assessments help track personal milestones safely.
Unlimited Monthly CrossFit
- Unlimited weekly classes (Level 1 & 2)
- Full access to scheduled Open Gym times
- Expert movement scaling from certified coaches
PTS Barbell Club Pass
- Specialized Wednesday evening lifting classes
- Olympic platform priority access
- Direct coaching on clean & jerk / snatch techniques
First visit
Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to class to meet your coach, fill out a basic waiver, and receive a complete tour of our training spaces.
Required equipment
We recommend comfortable athletic apparel, flat-soled cross-training shoes, a reusable water bottle, and an open mind.
What a typical session looks like
Every 60-minute session consists of a coached dynamic warm-up, a dedicated skill or strength build segment, the high-energy Workout of the Day (WOD), and a cool-down stretch.
Olympic Weightlifting & Power
Cardio & Conditioning
Gymnastics & Athletics
Chi-Town Throwdown
An annual 1-day individual and 1-day team functional fitness competition hosted directly at our Elmhurst facility.
CrossFit Open Event Nights
Weekly Friday night community workouts during the global CrossFit Open, complete with judging, cheering, and social gatherings.
Brendan Ziegler
Brendan has been coaching functional fitness for over ten years. He specializes in guiding athletes safely from their first day of training up to advanced performance levels.
Luke Crumley
Luke integrates Olympic lifting principles with classic strength training, pushing athletes to refine their posture, speed, and overall bar path.
CrossFit, LLC
Officially affiliated CrossFit box delivering licensed and authorized CrossFit methodology training since 2016.
Wellhub
Partnered to support local corporate wellness programs and flexible fitness access across Illinois.
Flexible membership plans are available, including unlimited monthly CrossFit classes, multi-session punch cards, specialty PTS Barbell Club access, and kids program rates. Corporate memberships are supported via our official Wellhub partnership. Please contact the gym directly for precise rates and trial structures.