Dave Greene says he has a typical Crossfit story: Unhappy with his job and recently divorced, he sought a healthier lifestyle and got involved with his local Crossfit gym about three years ago.
He hasn’t looked back since. Greene, a Hinsdale native, is now moving his own Crossfit business, CrossfitSpero, into the space at 335 Harrison St. in Oak Park. He hopes to open in early November, bringing Crossfit’s collaborative atmosphere to the Oak Park Arts District.
“I want to keep that community-based feel that is kind of indicative of every Crossfit gym,” Greene said. “That community feeling I’ve never witnessed anywhere else.”
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Greene started CrossfitSpero — named after his family’s motto of “semper spero,” meaning “always hope” in Latin — in July 2014 out of a garage in River Forest with a handful of dedicated clients.
“We were working out in an unheated garage all winter,” he said with a laugh. “Definitely, the clients that I have now are all family.”
Greene described Crossfit — which was created in 2001 and has gained popularity in recent years — as constantly varied functional movement at high intensity.
There are no treadmills or exercise machines in the gym space — only free weights and gymnastics equipment. Exercises during the hour-long sessions have real-world function, and all use multiple joints, Greene said.
Crossfit is sometimes viewed as cult-like, Greene said, “but the intention is relevant to every athlete or member that comes through the door.”
The spot in the western end of the arts district — formerly occupied by Heartland Woodsmiths — is just shy of 5,000 square feet, Greene said. The main workout area will occupy about 3,000 square feet.
“It just kind of fell into place on accident,” Greene said of finding the space.
Laura Maychruk, owner of The Buzz Café and president of the Oak Park Arts District board, said the district is thrilled to see the space filled.
Viktor Schrader, manager of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation, said CrossfitSpero is the first Crossfit gym occupying a storefront in Oak Park.
Separated from other downtown gyms, CrossfitSpero is a nice addition to the southeast corner of town, Schrader said, which is underserved in a lot of ways.
“I really like that he’s in a neighborhood setting, being surrounded by some of the other uses that are down there,” Schrader said. “He’s kind of got his own little market down there.”
Building permits were issued at the end of September, and Greene said he hopes to have the majority of construction work done by the end of the month. Work includes putting in showers and restrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Greene’s shooting for an early November opening. He plans to offer three levels of monthly membership: $205 for unlimited use, $175 for 12 workouts per month, and $150 for a 10-pack.
He’ll charge $175 for the “on-ramp” program, a three-week, six-class regimen that introduces people to Crossfit workouts. And he also plans to offer personal training and yoga classes.
CrossfitSpero, at 335 Harrison St. in Oak Park, will be open from about 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.crossfitspero.com or call 708-628-3784.