I'm on my fifth week of training and I feel confident to state that this pace is amazing! I'm just shy of 50 and weigh from the pandemic crept up. I needed to do something but the thought of going to a regular gym that's always at capacity was unappealing. Transform is the answer. One-on-one training sessions with a trainer. No one else is in the studio during your scheduled time. My trainer (Gerri) is incredible. Her instructions are clear. She watches me like a hawk and corrects my movements. You have no idea how much I need this. If you're unable to do a specific exercise, she will find a different one that you're able to accomplish that work the same muscles. Sessions are tailored to you. I highly recommend this place! read more

I looked into several personal trainers in the neighborhood before settling on Transform. The things that stood out to me were: 1. The trainers I interacted with all had over a decade of experience 2. It is truly 1 on 1 personal training vs group training classes 3. The communication is excellent 4. It is reasonably priced I had been strength training on my own for half a year and my goal coming in was to learn the correct form for exercises, and ask questions about various joint / mobility pain I was having while working out. I had never worked with a personal trainer before, and was a bit intimidated, but Dave was really friendly on my initial call with him and not salesy at all. I was assigned to Eric-Todd and had a great experience. I learned how to do workouts that I was afraid to do on my own before, and was introduced to a wide variety of exercises, including using the cable machine, leg exercises using my own body weight, kettlebell, medicine ball, TRX, etc. Over the course of a month, we never repeated a single exercise! I was really impressed with how much were were able to get through in just 30 minutes, twice a week. Each session, I'd do warms up and cool downs on my own, and the 30 minutes were action packed with exercises. It was actually pretty nice not having to think about weights, being handed certain pieces of equipment, and being told exactly what to do. Overall, it's been an amazing first personal training experience. I would highly recommend them for anyone looking for a personal trainer in the neighborhood, especially beginners or those looking to learn a variety of exercises. Thanks Eric-Todd! read more

Working out at Transform Personal Training has been a game changer. Miriam is knowledgeable, kind, and empathic. This is the perfect alternative for anyone looking to get in a great workout while avoiding obnoxious gym culture read more

Signing up with Transform Personal Training is one of the best decisions I ever made. After a long weight loss journey, I felt like I was plateauing and needed a boost, and happened to walk by Transform's new facility on Broadway one day. I immediately gave them a call and talked to the owner, Dave, who was incredibly kind and attentive to my needs. As a musician, I wanted to strengthen my body and increase my fat loss while still keeping my arms in a state that they could play music each day, and so Dave set me up with one of their trainers, Gerri. I have been seeing Gerri about three times a week for several months now, and have seen massive changes in my body, energy levels, and mood. While I still have a ways to go, I have never been more fit than I am now, and the days that I work out with Gerri are the days that my energy and mood are boosted. Part of this is due, of course, to Gerri's attentive, thoughtful approach to training, but I also think part of it is also due to how much I like Gerri as a person. She is so fun to work with, provides the perfect amount of encouragement and support, and she makes me feel like I can do all the exercises that she asks me to do, even ones that I never thought I would be capable of. I have seen big changes to my body composition in the last few months - my muscles have increased in size and whole areas of my body are far more toned than they ever have been. And somehow this all happens without me being fatigued or in pain from day to day. This, to me, is the ultimate testament to Gerri's professionalism and knowledge. Transform's pricing model is also so well thought-out and built with the customer in mind. By leaving warmup/cool-down to the trainee and thus limiting sessions to 30 minutes, this allows musicians like myself to be able to work on bettering my body without breaking the bank. I would wholeheartedly recommend anyone to contact Transform and see if it might be the right fit for them. I have a feeling that it will. 5 stars! read more

I worked with both Miriam and ET in preparation for my wedding. Both did an excellent job! They made sure my nutrition was on point and they pushed me hard at every training session. They clearly have been in the fitness industry for quite some time and know their stuff! In addition, ET and Miriam made the entire process fun, something I'd never experienced before when working out. Plus, I think my abs got an extra workout from all the laughing. If you have the opportunity, definitely go check out one of Miriam's comedy shows. She's a hoot! read more

Working out with Miriam is one of the best decisions I have made! I am not the biggest fan of working out, but Miriam makes it fun! She has helped me reach my fitness goals while pushing me, but also checking in with me to adjust goals as needed. Not only is Miriam a fantastic trainer, but she's hilarious, kind, and thoughtful. I can't recommend her more! read more

My partner and I love working with Eric-Todd. He is patient, non-judgmental, and keeps the sessions varied and interesting. The time flies by! He is able to tailor our workouts to our individual needs, even though we have different fitness levels. We enjoy the small space of this gym and the privacy it offers. I would definitely recommend TPT to singles or couples looking to get personalized fitness training. read more

Here I am, four months in... and now what do I think? There are NO words to describe how grateful I am to the staff at Transform (who I now count among my cherished friends) for helping me change my life. If they truly commit to not giving up, clients learn how to literally ~transform~ their lives. Their eating habits, their mentality about food and the emotional healing that can take place in order to clear the path for a healthier life from the inside out. As for me, I've lost 35 lbs. It looks like I've lost more because I'm also building amazing muscles... and I'm not even halfway there! I literally stand in front of my mirror and cry like a girl - oh wait; all good... I ~am~ a girl! - with gratitude for this new life and positive way of thinking! I'm so excited to see how I look after I reach my goal (should be around Thanksgiving, plus or minus a couple of weeks)! ...and THAT'S when I'll be posting my before and after pictures! read more

I was conflicted about writing a review but I think it's worth sharing my experience in case it might help someone. When I found transform online, I thought they would be perfect because I was looking to "transform" myself by losing weight and getting fit however, that didn't happen. I trained here for 3 months, 3 times a week and saw zero results, While everyone there is super nice and I can tell are experienced, the set-up is flawed and here's why: Firstly, I am personally not sold on the 30 minutes sessions. I think they can be effective if they are really well thought out and planned but that wasn't the case for me. I felt like the trainers have back-to-back clients with no time between and thus no time to think and just made up stuff as they went along. Secondly, each of the trainers have a very different approach and philosophy so while one might develop a program for you, another trainer might not. This is hard because you get assigned a trainer and you see one of the trainers with a clipboard with a program timing his clients and think - why don't you do that? And that's awkward. I really think this place could benefit from having some kind of consistent approach or philosophy, especially when they market themselves as being a place to come to 'transform'. I also think that if you're looking to change your life, this place doesn't offer a holistic approach. You come in to exercise and leave and that's it If you're looking for suggestions of changing your diet, references to physical therapists, any other information etc - you won't find it here. I have trained with other trainers before and since coming here and I just think there is more they can do and offer their clients. On the plus side, I think if you have never trained somewhere and want to ease into something, this could be the place for you. It's friendly and not intimidating and a great way to learn if that's something you've never really done before and it's certainly much better than doing it by yourself. HOWEVER if you're looking to really "transform" and push yourself then this really isn't the place. read more

I've been with Transform for almost half a year now and I absolutely love it. The business is professional and always accommodating. My trainer, Todd Sutker, is absolutely awesome to work with. Each work out is different and always hits the perfect level of intensity. He is also extremely knowledgeable and coming from a general skeptic, I have no problem trusting what he says. It is absolutely worth it for me. read more

I worked with Miriam for several months and had the best experience! She made me feel relaxed and comfortable but always challenged me to try new exercises and routines. I really appreciated how attentive she was to my form as I have trouble with my knees, so she made sure my form was correct and wouldn't result in injury. I already feel so much stronger and am so happy I came across Transform. Would highly recommend the studio and Miriam to anyone looking to get into shape and re-assess their fitness goals! read more

I had never seen a personal trainer before January of this year, but knew I needed some help and motivation to get active and start watching my nutrition. After a search for trainers in my area I found Transform. It's in my neighborhood and I recognized the owner and other trainers from when they used to train at Bally's long ago. Considering the reviews here were so favorable I scheduled a consultation. Enter Miriam Plotkin. I had my consultation with Miriam and she went over the details of the Transform scheduling and pricing and payment and asked me about my goals. Most importantly she answered all of my questions. She was so down to earth and her energy was great. I was excited to find we could work out schedules so that I could have her as my trainer. Following are some highlights to Miriam: - She is dedicated to her job and does NOT flake out on appointments - She is always willing to try and accommodate last minute schedule changes - She is on time - She will start you off at a realistic pace (physically and with nutrition changes) - She will make you laugh - She was incredibly patient when I experienced a bizarre should affliction and she worked around the pain so that we could still have sessions - She walks the walk and is super fit which I found inspiring - She is warm and friendly but takes session seriously - She works with you to help make sure you meet your goals - Ultimately, Miriam helped me feel the best I felt in years and has given me nutrition advice and meal plans/ideas that I follow to this day. Transform itself has a great session plan that really did work to keep me motivated, the place was always busy and I always saw the same clients, so that made me feel like they were just as happy as I was with Transform. It's a relaxed atmosphere where I didn't feel intimidated. There were a lot of clients at different skill levels in there at any given time. Sadly, I am moving and no longer see Miriam, but my six months of training with her were awesome. I couldn't recommend her and Transform more. read more

I have been training with Dave for the past 4 months. He has greatly improved my strength and muscle size. I was always a skinny guy and wanted to gain some muscle mass. I started out in February at barely 125. I am currently 145 lbs - very near my goal. Dave provided great tips for eating (calorie intake) and workouts outside our weekly training session. Dave can help anyone reach their fitness goals. The past 4 months have been awesome. Thanks, dave! read more

I have never written a review on yelp before but Shannon is worth it!! I have been training with Shannon for almost 5 months and I feel completely transformed and so much better about myself. After having my second baby, the pounds didn't melt off like I was hoping so I went to Transform to get some extra help. Shannon knew EXACTLY what I needed and pushed me hard to my goals. She is super energetic, supportive, knowledgeable, and creative. She changed up the routines so much I never got bored, and could definitely feel the results the next day. Shannon is an amazing trainer and I would rate her 10 stars if I could!! read more

I started at Transform in February because I wanted to lose weight but needed to get past some injuries that restricted exercise. Dave recommended working with Gerri who I found I instantly clicked with. I would describe Gerri as trainer-meets-physiotherapist because she REALLY gets how the body and muscles work! Within a few weeks, I was no longer waking up with back pain because with her help, I strengthened the muscles in and around my lower back! It's now July and I can run again, my knees don't hurt all the time and I feel much, much stronger. I haven't lost all the weight that I wanted to, but that's because I haven't been as consistent with my diet and cardio as I have been with the strength training with Gerri. That being said, I can now workout as often as I used to, and without pain, which bodes well for increased cardio and activity, so I'm sure I'll get to my ideal weight in a few months. I highly recommend both Transform and Gerri - there is flexibility in scheduling, close attention paid to individual needs and honestly, she makes morning workouts much more palatable! read more

6 months ago I made the decision to invest in myself by hiring a personal trainer. I would always hop on and off of the latest workout trends, never sticking to anything for too long, spending hundreds of dollars on gym memberships that I ended up not using and feeling guilty about it. Finally I made the commitment and haven't looked back! I found Miriam Plotkin. She has made working out something that is no longer a chore, and dare I say it, FUN! Every day with her is something different, she keeps me focused, keeps me from getting bored, and has helped me with my nutrition. She also gives me workouts to do on my own, and I actually do them! Since I started working with her I've learned that I am strong! She has also always been very flexible about working around my schedule. P.S., if you want someone to sing show tunes with while you burpee, this is your gal. I would recommend Miriam to anyone looking for a trainer. Not only is she a true professional, she is a cool, fun, and kind person. read more

Shannon was my trainer here for two months and I am so happy I decided to have her as my personal trainer. She is so down to earth and so much fun to work with. She always pushed me to give it my all and to never give up when I thought I couldn't do something. I lost some weight, inches and 2.5% body fat in two months! I am taking a short break to save money since I am broke from paying for my wedding this summer, but I will absolutely use her again when I have the funds. I always looked forward to my training because she consistently had a new and challenging set of work outs ready for me. I had so much energy after every session. Thanks again Shannon for getting me back into shape! read more

My husband and I hired Dave as our personal trainer to get in shape before our wedding. He always knew how to push us without being "pushy" and how to challenge us physically while still making it fun. I'm not a huge fan of exercise so to say that I looked forward to working out with Dave really means something. In the end, Dave really got me interested in working out again. He is a very knowledgable personal trainer with a fun personality and a hard-working spirit. It's not easy to make exercise seem like "fun" but he definitely does it. Oh, and also I lost 20 lbs before my wedding, which I KNOW I couldn't have done without him. read more

Shannon Maczko is THE BEST! I've only been with Transform for 2 months, but it's had a significant positive impact on my life. For 30 minutes 3 times a week Shannon puts together a great workout where I feel challenged to push myself in ways that I never would on my own and I leave drenched in sweat. I had no idea that you could have such an effective workout in just 30 minutes. It's the best hour and a half that I spend each week. I also greatly appreciate how Shannon is able to explain the scientific, biological, and physiological basis of the exercises that we do as well as all the nutrition questions that I ask her. Knowing the why behind everything helps. Here are the physical and mental benefits that I've experience in just 2 months... Physical Benefits - lost weight, lost inches around my waist, arms, and legs, cholesterol went down to a healthy level, and I have more energy. What more could you ask for??? Mental Benefits - I started to see Shannon when I was extremely stressed and twigged out and in 2 short months I'm able to see the stress slowly melt away. This started off as a physical thing for me and the physical benefits have been great, but the mental benefits is what keeps me going. The endorphins are flowing and it feels great! Shannon is beyond awesome and I couldn't have asked for a better personal trainer. I highly recommend both Shannon and Transform. read more

I was always intimidated by male personal trainers until I met Dave. He is challenging, yet patient, and fun, yet stern. Best of all - he is somebody you can relate to! He is a great listener and I'm seeing myself transform because of his workouts. My favorite saying about working out with Dave is "ohhh it hurts so good!" read more

I have been training with Dave for a couple of months now, and it has been a great experience so far! I am one of those people that just hates working out, but Dave makes it more than bearable and is always sure to keep me coming in when I am struggling to stay motivated. The atmosphere of the gym is great--it's very private and comfortable. The location is also very convenient and Dave always works with my changing schedule. If you're looking for a personal trainer in Chicago, there really is no reason to look any further. read more

Was super easy to get started. Todd was great. Wish I wasn't moving, otherwise I'd still be doing three days a week with them!

When I first started looking for a personal trainer I investigated a lot of gyms in the area, but only Transform could give me everything I was looking for: nutrition help, one-on-one attention, and a training style that was more than just a bootcamp. After working with Shannon (whom I HIGHLY recommend) for 4 months, I couldn't have asked for better results or a better experience. She works you as hard as you want, pushes you to push yourself, and is always supportive. She literally transforms your body and I couldn't have asked for anyone better. Choose Transform. You won't regret it. read more

Miriam is one of the best trainers I've ever worked with. I had worked out for years just doing my own thing and but eventually that wasn't working anymore. I wasn't sure about hiring a personal trainer until I met Miriam. She taught me about the 'workout trifecta': nutrition, cardio and weight training and how they all play a role in managing (or losing) weight. Plus, she's really funny and would keep me laughing throughout my workout. Before I realized it, the session would be over and I could have kept going on and on. read more

I have been training with Gerri Clark for years now. I have not heard of a better and more complete trainer anywhere. She has a wonderful "we can do" attitude. Gerri is incredibly knowledgeable about fitness, nutrition and kinesiology. She is up to date on the latest research and methods without getting caught up in exercise fads. My primary goal is strength gains and Gerri has been guiding me with a regimen of squat, bench, front press and dead lifts. Now that I am at the advanced/intermediate level we are adding the olympic lifts to my routine. Whether you are a couch potato looking to lose a little weight or a more advanced athlete looking for an edge over the competition, Gerri can guide you . read more

This place is amazing! If most people are like me, then going to the huge mega fitness centers are not inviting. Not only are these facilities overcrowded,but in my opinion, not very sanitary. This is not the case here. The gym is very intimate and clean and all of the trainers are very helpful when it becomes to your fitness needs! I started attending this facility last year in November, and my trainer Gerri has since changed my life! unfortunately due to work scheduling and having to travel recently for my business, I am unable to attend regularly, but once I am settled back here in Chicago, I will make it my priority! Thanks Gerri, and Transform family! read more

I definitely recommend Dave! He has the ability to cater training to your strength and endurance level. When I first started working with him I was out of shape. He knew when to push me and when I needed a break. Soon enough, I stopped needing breaks! He increases the level of difficulty as you get stronger and each work out is completely different than the last. After almost 2 years of working with him, I am still surprised by some of the new techniques he brings to the table! He has an innate ability to call me out when I am faking exhaustion and knows when it literally is time to quit. Which, at the end of the day, makes me love to hate him! read more

I met and consulted with David Bostik, the owner of Transform Personal Training, who referred me to trainer Gerri C. Gerri has been great; she really knows her stuff. She'll work with you and motivate you. And she's quite nice! The studio itself is bare-bones, so if you're looking for a studio with a ton of fancy exercise equipment, you probably won't like Transform. But, in my opinion, fancy equipment is overrated and really isn't needed for a good workout. Also, the prices are very reasonable and you don't have to worry about pushy sales associates. read more

I decided to enroll in Transform Personal Training to tone up for my upcoming wedding. After six weeks of work with David (about 2 times a week), I could totally see and feel the results. He was great at knowing how to push you to the limit, just before you are ready to quit. The workouts are a perfect mix of cardio and strength training - plus he really caters the sessions to your needs. In addtion, his availability is wide open, making it easy to fit your sessions into a busy schedule. His technical knowledge on fitness and nutrition was also very helpful in obtaining the results I have seen over the past six weeks. read more

Ok folks - let's be real... I contacted Dave in summer 2012, and seriously waffled about committing until Nov while I dealt with the emotional mess of being unhealthy. What did Dave do? He maintained an open dialogue, and checked in periodically to see where I was at and if I was ready to just come visit. At long last in Nov I was ready for that and had my first consultation. There was no going back! Dave was so matter of fact, non-judgmental and supportive.... Dave's story is pretty compelling right? But don't make the mistake of thinking you need Dave to make it happen... Yes he's great - that's a given, but so are the rest of the team at Transform!!! Dave has an experienced team of pros who know how to get results - they have worked together for years and it shows! Eric-Todd is the miracle-worker who puts me through my paces and makes the horrible not only palatable but fun - yes I said F- U- N!, and every day that I'm there I appreciate ALL of the trainers and their clients who make this a supportive community of folks who are working hard to change lives. We are dedicated to changing our lives.... And dedicated to supporting others with the same goal! I have tried this before on my own, and in places which purported to provide support - but I guarantee you that you will not find a more dedicated and cohesive team in Chicago! THANK YOU Dave and Eric-Todd and everyone else at Transform who are helping me to realize my dreams. I could probably find some way to try to do it without you, but can't imagine doing it without you! I look forward to every new day that I'm at the gym, and even the days in between on my own so I can share my solo successes with my support team! Thanks for your guidance, support and expertise - would be spinning my wheels without you all! Here's hoping that folks recognize what you do, but in the meantime please accept my deep and heartfelt thanks for the impact you have had in my life! Thanks to each and every one who come together to form this great, supportive community, and to Dave and his trainers for making it seem so natural! read more

I have been working out with Dave for over a year now. Before I came in, I thought about working out a lot. Sometimes I even put on my shoes, but that was as far as I got. Needless to say, I was so out of shape, I could barely walk, let alone do push ups. A year later, I am able to do all sorts of things I never thought I would be able to do: I run, I've gotten really good at those push ups, and most importantly, I actually enjoy working out, which I never had before in my life. I also keep having to buy new pants. I would highly recommend Transform to anyone looking for a personal trainer. read more

When I got engaged I really wanted to get in shape for my wedding. I realized after trying on my own that I needed help, and a friend recommended Miriam at Transform. Miriam is an amazing trainer! She really pays attention to what works for you, as the best workout for your friend might not be the best for you. She always switches up the workout, and gives great nutrition advice. She can help from monitoring a daily food log, to giving you suggestions for grocery shopping. I worked out with her 3 days a week, and she would even give me recommendations for things I could do at the gym on days I didn't see her. Besides the amazing knowledge she has, she is great about helping you get through mental/emotional challenges of losing weight/or getting fit. She is really realistic, and talked me down many times when I was not losing weight as quickly as I wanted to, or when I hit a plateau she would look into changing my workout if needed. I lost about 15 pounds for my wedding and I felt so amazing on my wedding day! Not just that I was skinny, but I felt really strong and confident. I am SO happy with my results working with Miriam and I continue to work with her now to maintain my results. I really couldn't give a higher recommendation. read more

I have had several trainers in my life but Miriam is the best. She is caring but strict. Hard but concerned. She motivates me and cheers me up when I just don't feel like being there. She pushes me to be the best me and my results show it! She has helped me in my eating and my training and I would recommend her to anyone looking for help and looking for someone who will listen and care about your specific issues or concerns. She rocks! read more

"Let's do this!" I have worked with Gerri Clark since January and absolutely love that she and I both have this "Let's do this!" attitude. I run marathons and fell into a slump late last year. Gerri helped pick me up, not only physically getting my body stronger, and also mentally motivate me to train and work hard again. I am part of a small group workout that meets twice a week. Between the two sessions a week, I like how Gerri incorporates upper body, core, legs, for a total body workout. We usually start with a warm-up, do several sets of exercises, and then cool-down. Gerri is always watching my form too to make sure I'm doing the exercise correctly, training the right muscle, and in a safe way. I can tell that my body in just a couple of months has tightened up and is stronger. This has also reduced my running injuries to zero this year. She is knowledgeable not only in the area of fitness but also nutrition and general health. It doesn't matter what shape you are in, make an appointment with Gerri and do this for yourself. read more

I have been working with Gerri Clark since October 2011. I had been consistently doing cardio workouts and watching my diet for a few months before meeting with her, but I knew I needed to kick my fitness routine into a higher gear. I met with Gerri to talk with her about her experience, her philosophy, and her education. She immediately made me feel comfortable; her understanding of a woman's physiology and body mechanics, her experience working with everyone from the severely overweight to Olympic athletes, her holistic approach, her positive, "we can do this!" attitude, and her warm personality won me over. Since October, I've lost 30 lbs. and have maintained a healthy body weight. The difference isn't just in my appearance, but in my attitude, ease of movement in everyday life, balance, and in my stress level. I'm eating better and sleeping better, and I've avoided the inevitable "change-of-season" colds. Gerri's workouts are tailored to each person's fitness level. This isn't to say that they aren't challenging. As a person gets stronger, she continues to adjust workouts to ensure that her clients continue to build strength, balance, and flexibility. Further, because she knows the mechanics of the body, she has taught me good form so that I avoid injury. I've been sore, but I've never been hurt. I also appreciate her willingness to educate me about which parts of the body are being targeted, physiology, and proper technique. She entertains all questions about workouts. Most of all, though, she is NON-JUDGMENTAL. She never makes me feel guilty if I am having a bad day. She is encouraging, and she loves seeing her clients become better people through fitness. FIVE BIG GOLD STARS! read more

Miriam Plotkin is a great personal trainer! I've been training with her for over two years and I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. Miriam is very knowledgeable and she knows how to make training fun. I look forward to our sessions in a way I never thought I would before starting with Miriam. I HIGHLY recommend her without hesitation. read more

I have been training with Gerri since 2008. She reinvigorated my workouts with sessions on the pilates reformer and I love her total-body strength training that has given my muscles more definition and always gets my heart rate up. She is consistent, and her dedication to me as a client, and to developing new and creatiive exercises based on my objectives, has never faltered. Plus, I enjoy visiting with her which helps get me through a tough session and does not distract from the effectiveness of the workout. She is very encouraging, and seems to sense when I need that extra push or verbal reassurance. Plus, I just plain like her as a person! I weigh less than I did in high school, and know that not only my workouts with her, but also the motivation, energy and ideas she inspires, are a big part of that. read more