Work up a serious sweat at Speed School
You won't find anyone drinking a latte on an elliptical here.
At The Speed School, just off Randall Road in St. Charles, it's a no-nonsense atmosphere, owner Joe Giustino said.
The athletes are pulling sleds. They're pushing prowlers. And they're keg lifting.
"I instill a work ethic in each athlete that I want them to bring with them as they mature and that is that hard work and mental strength are the keys to being a successful individual," said Giustino, a 16-year strength coach with degrees in exercise physiology and kinesiology.
Speed School, at 761 N. 17th St., just west of Randall, opened in 2008.
Since then Giustino has taken on as clients many of the area athletes now preparing for high school football season. Presently he is training 100 athletes from more than 15 high schools and a dozen colleges and universities in the areas of soccer, football, softball, baseball, track, basketball, rugby and mixed martial arts
But it's not just high school athletes that train at the speed school. He's currently training people as young as nine years old, and people in their 50s.
He does one-on-one training and group sessions with up to four people. But you need to be serious about improving if you're going to train there. This isn't the usual health club with smoothie bars and big screen televisions.
The Speed School is tucked behind Randall Road in The Foundry Business Park, where the focus is more on giving it all you've got to improve your performance.
"I am here to help athletes of all ages get stronger, faster and pack on muscle.
"And I am here to help them build character. If you quit here you'll quit in life when it matters or quit during the big game when your team needs you. I push you so you know you can do it and are confident not only in your physical strength but mental strength as well," he said.
"I'm not interested in excuses as to why you can't achieve your goals," Giustino said. "Ask anybody who goes there with me and they'll tell you my philosophy: 'Shut up and get to work.'"
For information call (847) 393-3316.
Spend and score: If you spend more than $75 at Algonquin Commons, you could get a gift. Bring your receipts into guest services showing you spent that much, and you'll receive a voucher for a choice of a full-size Aveda hand relief or foot relief moisturizer from Taylor Stevens Salon and Spa. There is one prize allowed per person.
• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.