Personal Training in Chicago & the North Shore
I’m Eldridge Shannon, an NFPT-certified trainer. For twelve years I’ve coached people across Chicago and the North Shore, one at a time, on programs I build by hand. Here’s how it works and who it’s for.
Most of the people I train aren’t new to working out. They’ve done the big gyms, the apps, the bootcamps. Some of it worked for a while and then didn’t. What they’re after now is someone who actually pays attention and a plan that fits the life they have, not the one a template assumes they have.
You work with me, not a roster
When you train with Artful Fitness, you get me. The same trainer every session, who remembers your bad shoulder, knows you travel the third week of every month, and noticed your squat got shaky last Thursday. That continuity is most of why people stay.
Three ways to train
I come to your home. I run private sessions at a studio when you’d rather keep the workout separate from the house. And I coach people over video when they’re on the road or just prefer it. Most clients use more than one depending on the week.
What I’m good at
Getting people stronger without getting them hurt. Helping someone lose weight in a way they can actually keep up. Building real muscle with proper form and progression. And working around the stuff most programs ignore: old injuries, odd schedules, starting over after years away.
Start with a free call
Tell me what you want and how your week looks. If I’m the right person for it, we’ll get going. If I’m not, I’ll point you somewhere better.
Most people call me after the big gyms didn’t work out.
They signed up somewhere, went a handful of times, and drifted off. When I ask why, it’s almost always one of these.
The gym was a hassle
Driving over, waiting for a rack, getting self-conscious in a crowd. It adds up to enough friction that most people quietly stop showing up.
So I come to you.The plan wasn’t yours
A printout or an app that a few thousand other people got too. It ignored your bad knee, your travel weeks, and what you actually wanted out of this.
I write your program after I’ve watched you move.Nobody watched your form
No corrections, no progression, no one to answer to. By week three the motivation runs out and you’re back where you started.
I’m there every session, and I answer my own phone.You got hurt
Pushed too hard too soon, tweaked a back or a shoulder, and spent two months undoing it.
I’d rather go slower and have you still training next year.How we’ll work together.
Nothing complicated. Here’s what the first few weeks actually look like.
We start with an assessment
First time we meet, I watch how you move, ask what hurts and what you’ve already tried, and get clear on what you’re after. No real workout yet.
I write your program
Then I build it by hand, around what I saw. It changes as you do, but it’s never something I handed to anybody else.
We train
At your place, the studio, or over video when you’re traveling. I’m watching your form, adjusting the load, and keeping you honest.
We adjust as you go
Every few weeks I re-check and change what isn’t working. That’s how you keep making progress instead of stalling out.
In their words.
Questions about personal training
What's included in personal training with Artful Fitness?
Private one-on-one coaching with Eldridge Shannon, a program built around your goals and history, and ongoing adjustments as you progress. You can train in your home, at a private studio, or online.
Do I need experience to start?
No. Most people who come to Eldridge are either starting over or starting for the first time. Sessions begin at your level and build from there, with no judgment.
How do I get started?
Book a free consultation by calling or texting (224) 296-9816, or use the form on this page. Eldridge replies the same day and you can usually train within the week.
Tell me what you’re after.
The first call is free. We’ll talk through what you want, how your week looks, and whether I’m the right person for it. No pitch, no pressure. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll tell you.