When I became engaged, one of my first thoughts turned to getting in shape. I knew that I needed more than some Jane Fonda videos to get into perfect wedding dress shape. I needed someone to guide me back into strength and wellness. Victoria became my cheerleader working towards that hot wedding dress body. With a few simple phone calls, we began my training regiment. We assessed my fitness and nutritional needs. Those first workouts showed how I lacked strength and needed to improve everything. Throughout my summer training with Victoria, I increased my strength and flexibility as well as learned proper nutrition. As a trainer, Victoria is a consummate cheerleader and bulldog wrapped into one. She pushes you to the next level with a bright cheery smile as well as a determination to see you reach your goals. I can't say enough great things about Victoria and my summer training with her. I learned alot about the state of flexibility and diet. I learned to eat better and not deprive myself while still working towards my goals. If you're looking for a skilled, tough, and kind hearted trainer, look no further than Victoria. Thanks to her, I looked hot for my wedding day and was proud of accomplishments. I can look at my wedding pictures and know that with her help, I achieved my fitness and nutrition goals. read more

I'm a connoisseur of quality. I like to frequent Nordstrom, I shop at Whole Foods, and I prefer to fly first class. I use the same discerning taste in choosing a personal trainer. Victoria Gray truly embodies quality in every sense of the word. I have a few 'must have's' that I require to even consider someone to be my personal trainer. The first is that they need to have a background in sports medicine because I've had a major injury in the past. This is what initially attracted me to Victoria; however, what impressed me and kept me coming back was how she recognized my injury and ways I was compensating for it and worked with me to strengthen all parts of my body, pushing through predisposed barriers where I would previously favor my injury. I always feel as if Victoria focuses on me as a whole, with physicality only being a piece of the dimension that encompasses my being, in that she is concerned about all aspects of my health. Victoria sets the bar high. She listens to my wants, goals, desires and interests and tailors each workout to my needs, keeping it different and diversified every time we meet. In reality you'll only get out of a trainer as much as you put in. Victoria stands ready to go to the extra mile with you. She shows up eager and consistently gives 110%. I highly recommend her. read more

As a former athlete turned corporate desk potato, I've been working out with personal trainers for 16+ years. I say without hesitation that Victoria is the best trainer AND life coach that I have worked with. Most importantly, you will see results. Before starting a weekly routine with Victoria, I already belonged to two gyms in the city (ffc and barton) and worked out semi-regularly. Within the first month my husband commented on how my legs looked "tighter". Friends, neighbors, coworkers - and even my building doorman, all asked what I was doing. In the 7 months I worked with Victoria, I shed pounds of fat and toned my entire body. I love my arms now! The weight loss on the scale is only half the story because I can't measure how much muscle tone I've added. My overall strength, endurance and core haven't been this strong in a very long time. (Thank you, Victoria!) Second, Victoria is an intelligent, cheerful, FUNNY and upbeat woman who will push you hard with new workouts every time - but never to the point where you won't look forward to the next workout - and is a pleasure to work with. She is well versed in several areas of wellness including nutrition, yoga and stress management and I learned a lot in our time together. Lastly, I travel a lot for work (sometimes on very short notice) which can make me a nightmare to schedule. I'm always canceling or rescheduling appointments. Victoria was patient, understanding and overwhelmingly professional. I can't speak highly enough of how easy and accommodating she was. Time with Victoria is money well spent. I'd still be working out with her every week if my job hadn't moved me to California. If you're looking for the best, Victoria D Gray is it. read more

When I moved to Chicago, I was looking for a trainer that specialized in TRX. I had a hard time finding someone but I am fortunate to have found Victoria here on Yelp. I took a chance and contacted her. From the first phone conversation, I instantly knew she knew her sh#$ very well. I first started training with her because I need to get some cross training done for a major cycling trip that I was going to do over the summer 2010. She quickly came up with a plan that combined TRX with Kettlebells and her focus on my needs worked out very well for me. However, shortly after I returned from my trip, I sustained a shoulder injury and I needed to get physical therapy. To my pleasant surprise, Victoria was very informative and recommended top practiconers in the Chicago area that help me get back into form. All the while, we modified our training sessions to be an extension of my PT work. My shoulder is almost back to 100% and I owe it all to Victoria. What you will get from her is her intuitive nature, her careful listening abilities and her understanding of her clients fitness/physical needs even when her clients aren't as aware of what is best for them. Her extensive knowledge of a variety of training methods (including 'traditional' weight training to TRX to Kettlebells to Pilates to Yoga) coupled with her expertise in physiology will lead to training sessions that are customized to your needs with a focus on safety in mind. You won't be disappointed by her. I highly recommend Victoria to everyone! read more

A lot of trainers on yelp have great reviews because they are really friendly, helpful people, and well-liked by their clients. Victoria is a really friendly, helpful person, and I like her a lot, but that's not why I'm giving her 5 stars. I'm giving her 5 stars because it's not possible to give 6. When I first sought out Victoria, I was looking for someone who would help me take my workouts to a new level. I was doing martial arts, ballet, and some pilates at the time. Since training with her, I've switched some of my activities around, I've changed some of my priorities around, but one thing is consistent: my life is way better. Training with Victoria doesn't just help you reach whatever goals you walk in with (though you will. She is an expert at finding new ways to help people achieve whatever they are trying to do). Victoria has identified new goals for me that I didn't even know I should have. Basic everyday tasks, like walking on icy sidewalks, carrying my groceries and heavy bags to work, and de-stressing myself after a tough day at work are now a lot easier since I started training with her. A lot of trainers will give you exercises and observe you doing them. Victoria gives you exercises and then focuses intensely on you while you do them. I suspect at times that she knows more about my body capabilities than I do, and is constantly working to make sure that I stay up to date on what I can and should be doing. I cannot recommend working with Victoria highly enough - whether in one on one sessions, at her TRX/Kettlebell classes, or at the boot camps she's currently running. If she's involved, it will be awesome. read more

As an experienced triathlete, I was looking for a trainer to help me get stronger in the off-season so I could reduce the chances of injury during my tri workouts. Considering I will be 60 years old next summer, injuries seem to come more often and of course are harder to recover. Victoria has been exactly what I needed to increase my strength tremendously. She is very methodical in her approach and each session is unique from the others. Although I continued my workouts all year long, the sessions with Victoria are much more intense and therefore improvement was steady. With Victoria's guidance and encouragement, I am looking forward to this tri season with a new outlook. I am much stronger and stable in my running, biking and swimming as result of my work with Victoria. I would recommend her to anyone interested in a logical approach to exercise and fitness! read more

Victoria is an excellent trainer. I originally went to Victoria for assistance on beginning to workout again after a six month absense from the gym. She has helped me reclaim my love for working out and living a healthy lifestyle. Some of the hardest workouts I have ever had were done with Victoria. She has a way of not letting on that the workout is extremely difficult until after the workout is done. She has shown me how mental completing workouts can be. She not only cares about the goals you set for yourself, she take an interest in your overall well being. She also does not lecture you on staying healthy (which is much appreciated), she just reminds you why the healthy decisions you make are important to your overall goals. I am always thankful for Victoria's knowledge about all areas of health. She assists not only with programs for me to complete at the gym, but also with any other fitness questions I have, including stretches to do in my cube at work after a hard workout. Anyone considering using a personal trainer should contact Victoria! read more

Victoria is a great trainer! She knows just how far to push you without causing injury or making you want to give up. I have been really impressed by her knowledge of the human body. She tells you not just how to do an exercise but she explains why you are doing it and how it is beneficial. Her approach to fitness is holistic and involves using your own body weight and simple weights for resistant making it easy to follow a routine anywhere you go not just at a gym. I can't say enough about Victoria except that I wish I could have an appointment with her everyday! read more