Bucktown Assembly is a strength and conditioning gym rooted in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood, inside a building rich with history and character. We created this space for people who want more than a workout — it’s for people who value expert coaching, intentional programming, and a community that shows up for each other.
Our slogan, BUILD TOGETHER, comes from the idea of coming together with intention to create something meaningful as a group. Strength is built individually, but never in isolation; each person contributes to the environment, the energy, and the collective progress.
Every class is coached. Every program is intentional. Whether it’s your first time touching a barbell or you’re preparing for your next HYROX race, you’ll find a place here.
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BUILD strength-focused class built around major compound lifts, designed to drive steady progress, build real strength, and develop confidence through structure.
ENGINE conditioning-focused class built around varied efforts, designed to improve endurance, work capacity, and resilience.
CREW team-based conditioning class built around shared effort, designed to strengthen community and bring people together through training.
RESTORE a mobility-focused class designed to improve range of motion, reduce injury risk, and support better movement.
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Open gym access to train on your schedule — no class, no coach, just you and the space. Full use of the floor, including racks, turf, sleds, and equipment, so you can put in the work on your own time. Available to all members.
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Personalized training built around your goals, schedule, and experience — with a focus on lasting progress. Every session is one-on-one with a coach, designed to meet you where you are and move you forward.
Individualized programming
Return-to-training support after injury or time away
Specific strength, sports performance, or HYROX prep
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HYROX is one of the fastest growing fitness races in the world, and we're built for it.
Whether HYROX is your primary goal or a supplement to your training, our programming will prepares you for race day.
FAQ
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Bucktown Assembly is built for people who want to get better. Beginners who want to learn how to train. Athletes looking to sharpen their performance. People coming back after time away. If you want coaching, structure, and a community that shows up, you'll fit in here.
We train people from:
Bucktown
Wicker Park
Logan Square
Lincoln Park
Humboldt Park
Surrounding Chicago neighborhoods
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No. We're an independent strength and conditioning gym. Our programming is structured, progressive, and coach-led — but we're not affiliated with CrossFit and we don't follow that model. No gymnastics, no olympic weightlifting, no RX options. Just intentional, accessible training built around long-term progress and proper movement.
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We focus on how you move — not just how hard you work. Expect experienced coaches, structured progression, and programming built for longevity.
No random workouts. No gimmicks. Just measurable progress in a supportive community.
We're also not a big box gym. Bucktown Assembly is intentionally small — a dedicated space at 2036 W Armitage built for people who take their training seriously and want to know the people they train with.
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Yes — genuinely. Every class is coached and every movement is accessible, so you don't need any experience to walk in on day one.
We believe a beginner and a tenured lifter should be doing the same things: the basics. The difference is in the intensity and the attention from the coach.
Our coaches meet you where you are and build from there. You won't be thrown into a workout and left to figure it out. You'll be coached through it.
If you're brand new to strength training, that's not a problem. That's kind of the point. This is the place to start.
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Show up a few minutes early and introduce yourself to the coach. They'll walk you through the class format, ask about your experience, and make sure you know what to expect before the workout starts.
Class has a clear structure — warm up, skill or strength work, and conditioning. Every movement is coached and scaled to your level. You won't be lost and you won't be in over your head.
Most people are surprised by how straightforward it is. Just come as you are.
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Bucktown Assembly is located at 2036 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 in the Bucktown neighborhood. Free street parking is available on Armitage. We're also close to Divvy stations, several CTA bus lines on Damen and Armitage, and the Damen Blue Line stop.
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Bucktown Assembly has three private showers, towel service, and locker storage — so you can train before work or on your lunch break without the hassle.
Water, protein shakes, and energy drinks are available for purchase in our lobby.
MEET ASH
Ashley Dunwell is the Head Coach and co-founder of Bucktown Assembly. He holds an M.S. in Exercise Science and is a certified strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer with a competitive athletic background in collegiate basketball and HYROX. His coaching is built on intentional programming, proper movement, and helping people make real, lasting progress.