ENGLEWOOD — Marathoner Greg Conner grew up in Englewood, and he knows it's not always easy to find a place to work out nearby. That's part of why he opened his new private gym, Level Fitness, 6501 S. Hermitage Ave., on June 1.
“I want to give this to the neighborhood so people won’t have to venture out, or go too far,” he said. “Some people can’t, so this is something for them right in the neighborhood."
Level Fitness has been successful in attracting clients so far, Conner said, partially because of his connections with running groups. The new gym offers strength training and conditioning, martial arts, nutrition and boxing.
Conner, who lives in Englewood, said he hopes the gym can become a place where local kids spend time, rather than getting involved in street violence.
“I just want to help save the youth. I know it can be done, I’m not ready to give up on them,” he said. “I still have faith and hope that we can turn things around amidst the crime rate. I think we can combat it by just taking time out and saying, ‘Hey, come try this, come talk to me.’”
The gym is his way of giving back, similar to what his friend Andrea NaTay (owner of Forever Fitness Chicago) did by organizing the 2014 Englewood 5K.
NaTay said she supports Conner's efforts.
“Accessibility, education, availability and affordability of fitness and nutrition should not be exclusive to certain social classes. Instead, fitness and nutrition should be treated as civil rights,” she said. “Residents of Englewood desire a healthy lifestyle just as other communities [do].”
Conner's head boxing coach, Abraham Davis, 30, won the 2015 Chicago Golden Gloves in the heavyweight division. The two have been friends for years, Davis said, explaining that it was only natural for them to go into business together. Davis lives in Auburn Gresham.
“It wasn’t like this was my idea or his,” Davis said. “It was more like ‘Man, you have a following, I have a following, so let’s bring that following together and do something positive.’”
Danielle Lee, 44, of Chatham, joined the first week and said that she met Conner through running 5Ks.
"My lower body is strong, but I’m trying to strengthen my upper body, which has always been a weak point for me and I feel like [Conner] can get it done,” she said.
Going to an Englewood gym doesn’t bother Lee. She said it might turn some away, but not her.
“I don’t care, I’m coming,” she said.
Davis said he desperately wants to shake the stigma that has been placed on Englewood.
“People hear the name and say, ‘Nah, I’m OK,’ but it’s not like that,” he said. “There are nice neighborhoods here; people cut their grass. We’re bringing this to Englewood so people can say ‘There’s a wonderful gym there, I’m going to check it out.’”
And just like his business partner and friend, he wants to reach the local teens. Growing up, he played basketball a the neighborhood field house. He hopes boxing can be that outlet for kids now, he said.
Davis said that many young people today are left with nowhere to go and nothing to do.
“When you have something to do, you don’t have time to get in trouble. You’re like, ‘Look, I have to get to practice, I love practice,’ and so you get off the streets.”
Level Fitness is available by appointment only. Abraham Davis can be reached at 773-440-4252 and Greg Conner at 708-738-3268.
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