Stronger together at CrossFit Barrington

Discover the supportive community, expert coaching, and life-changing results that make CrossFit Barrington the top choice for functional fitness in the Northwest Suburbs.

Why we exist

a mission rooted in strength and support

Our mission is to build a strong, supportive community that empowers people of all ages and fitness levels to live healthier, fuller lives through functional fitness.

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14

years of experience
About

Crossfit Barrington


Since 2011, CrossFit Barrington has built a strong foundation of fitness, coaching, and community.
We’re more than just a strength and conditioning facility — we’re a tight-knit community of coaches, members, families, and friends united by a shared commitment: to grow stronger together and make a positive impact on each other and our local area through fitness and health.


When you walk through our doors, you won’t just work out — you’ll be challenged, coached, educated, and inspired. Every class is designed to help you become your best, surrounded by people who support your goals.

Passionate. Experienced. Fully committed to your growth.


Our certified CrossFit Barrington coaches bring years of experience, deep expertise, and unmatched energy to every class. More than just instructors, they’re mentors, motivators, and teammates — here to help you move better, get stronger, and stay accountable, no matter your starting point.

Craig Niven

I grew up in Barrington and graduated from BHS in 2003. I currently live in Fox River Grove with my beautiful wife Kristin, our amazing girls Mae and Logan and our dog Taco. I played most sports growing up with my main sports being football and lacrosse.  

My love for fitness and exercise started in college in 2004 with my main focus on bodybuilding with the occasional 2-3 mile run thrown in there
(not my favorite ha). 

My CrossFit journey started in 2010 and coaching career in 2011. My brother, Brian(original CFB owner), got me hooked on CrossFit and we started throwing down out of his garage gym. I was instantly hooked. I loved the variety, challenge and competition of it.  

I started coaching at CFB when the doors opened in 2011 and became a Co-Owner of CFB in 2017. Coaching became an immediate passion. Bringing like minded people together to work hard towards a goal is a special thing. My favorite superhero is Superman because of his strong jaw line and his near invincibility(darn kryptonite!). My CrossFit kryptonite are burpee box jump overs, they get me every time. My favorite CrossFit movements are Squat Cleans and Bench Press because they’re fun and don’t have the word burpee in them. 

CrossFit Level 1, 2 & 3
CrossFit Kids 
CrossFit Gymnastics 
CrossFit Strongman 
CrossFit Power Lifting 
CPR & AED Certified 

Lauren evans

Hello, I am Coach Lauren!
I grew up in Bloomingdale IL and graduated from Glenbard North High School in 2007. I worked as a medical assistant at an OB GYN for 17 years before shifting my career to Coach CrossFit full-time in January 2022. I coached part time for 3 years leading up to my time at CFB.

When my husband Tyler and I moved to the Barrington area in 2019 and discovered CFB, we knew we found an amazing gym. Fast forward and we now have two beautiful daughters Eloise and Lennon. I continued my CrossFit journey during both pregnancies and am educated on proper scaling/modifying to help expecting mothers who would like to continue with their fitness during pregnancy.

The first time I walked into a CrossFit gym I knew my life had forever been changed. I found a love for lifting weights and proper mechanics. I developed a passion for educating others about CrossFit so they could become the best version of themselves. My favorite movement would have to be any type of Clean and my least favorite would be running. My favorite thing about CrossFit is that there is always skills to work on and something new to learn.

CrossFit Level 1 & 2
CrossFit Kids

chris cronin

Hello and thanks in advance for reading! I was born in Seoul, South Korea and was adopted by my two beautiful parents Jerry and Staci Cronin. Barrington was where I grew up, going from Lines Elementary to Station Middle School, to then graduating from Barrington High School in 2013. As of January 2023, my gorgeous girlfriend, Trish, and I moved into downtown Palatine together and are loving every minute of it! Plus, we are already on a first name basis with the bartenders at Durty Nellie’s (totally kidding).  
 
My love for fitness started way back at the beginning of my senior year at BHS, 2012. It was ignited and inspired by one of CFB’s current owners – Craig Niven, to me back then I called him Coach Niven. I played lacrosse all throughout high school and never had any drive to begin a workout regimen until the lacrosse coaches were adamant about us giving this one program a go – CrossFit. Who were the lacrosse coaches you might ask? Yes, that’s right. Brian Niven was my frosh (freshman + sophomore) lacrosse coach and the co-founder & previous co-owner of CrossFit Barrington. Craig Niven was my JV (junior varsity) coach and head coach at CFB and now co-owner as well. Finally, Chris Bluse who was my Varsity coach and the co-founder & previous co-owner of CrossFit Barrington. I hesitated to begin at this gym, for three years. All until challenged with the words “Varsity will be doing cuts this year, including seniors.” I was not about to be cut from the team, especially as a senior. I remember asking my father for six months of the CrossFit Teens program for my birthday, and on the day after, we signed up. Nervous, anxious, 100% doubting the decision I made, and questioning what I had gotten myself into turned out to be a pivoting moment in my life that at that time, I had no idea would change it forever way beyond a spot-on Varsity lacrosse. 
  
I began coaching in late 2014. Physically doing CrossFit got me in the door and the results kept me dedicated – Coaching CrossFit got me extremely addicted. Like I’ve said before, being able to take what ultimately saved my life and pointed my mind & life in the right direction and could give that same experience to others – best purpose ever. Especially when it came to the CrossFit Teens, oh man do I hold that close to my heart. 
  
My favorite CrossFit movement is the snatch! The patience that is required to learn and aim to perfect as well as the technique and strength of so many moving parts makes it a fun lift to constantly work at! Least favorite would-be double dumbbell box step-up and overs. From grip to the quad pump, or to just getting my short legs up and on the box it’s a brutal movement. 
  
When it comes to my favorite superhero, I’d have to say Spiderman because I too, am dating someone way out of my league. 
  
My Certifications: 
-CrossFit Strongman 
-CrossFit Gymnastics 
-CrossFit Kids 
-CrossFit Level 1 & Level 2 

kelly Meckert

I grew up in Barrington and graduated from BHS in 2013. After that, I went to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where I got my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. These days, I live in downtown Barrington and hold the esteemed position of a 3rd-grade teacher at Hough Street School Elementary. Additionally, I am responsible for overseeing the Girls’ Water Polo program at BHS. 

In high school, I stumbled upon CrossFit and instantly fell in love with its competitive nature. Coaching came naturally to me, and I’ve been doing it since 2018. It’s awesome to see our athletes pushing themselves both physically and mentally every day. Being part of a community that prioritizes a healthy lifestyle through exercise and good nutrition is truly a blessing. 

If I could design the perfect WOD, it would be an interval-based one. I’d kick things off with a quick sprint on the echo bike or rower, followed by some heavy clean and jerks, maybe throwing in some wall balls for fun. Now, I have to admit, anything involving hanging from the pull-up bar is not my favorite. My hands, despite being calloused, don’t appreciate it too much. 

My favorite superheroes are the moms I see coming into the gym everyday. They truly can do it all! They manage to make time for their fitness while being amazing role models to their children. I only hope to be like them one day! 

CrossFit Level 1 & 2

CrossFit Kids 

CPR & AED Certified 

Mike Paloucek

I grew up in Brookfield IL and went to Northern Illinois University. I currently live in Wauconda with my wife and kids. I grew up playing a lot of sports at a young age. I ended up focusing on baseball and football in high school. I have always enjoyed staying active and trying new sports. I received a degree in physical education/ health education and heard about CrossFit through a class I was taking. Shortly after college, my CrossFit journey started. I was instantly hooked and have been doing it for over 9 years. I started coaching classes at CFB the summer of 2018 and I have enjoyed every minute of it. My passion for teaching and changing peoples life with health and fitness strive me to work hard each day. My favorite movement is squat snatch and my least favorite movement is devil presses. My favorite superhero is the Hulk because I think he would have the highest CrossFit total out of any superhero. 
 
CrossFit Level 1 & 2 
CPR & AED Certified 

David Crosson

Dr. Dave grew up just outside Detroit, Michigan.  He attended Grand Valley State University on a basketball athletic scholarship before spending 4 years at Palmer College of Chiropractic.  He owns and operates Chirofit: Chiropractic and Physical Therapy right here in Barrington.   Dave and his wife Brynnen moved to the Barrington area in 2008 and have 2 children (Carter and Carys).  He began CrossFit in 2011 and was introduced to it by Craig’s brother Brian.  He took over ownership with Coach Craig in 2017.  Dave has competed as an individual at Wodapalooza, The Masters Fitness Collection and the Legends Masters championships to name a few.  He is CrossFit Level 1 certified but through his chiropractic journey has been certified in post graduate work that makes him an ideal CrossFit coach.  From the Selective Functional Movement assessment to being Functional Range Systems fully Certified (Spine, upper, Lower, Functional Range condition and Function Range Assessment) his ability to assess movement and make corrections is second to none.  He is Strong first Kettlebell certified, AED/CPR certified and has passed is CSCS as well as taken multiple Olympic Lifting certifications outside the scope of CrossFit Education.   
 
Dave says, “I would say my favorite CrossFit Movements are power cleans, Front squats and rowing.  My achilles heel seems to be handstand push ups.  I love competing and being able to compete with myself has been fulfilling throughout my CrossFit journey.  I have found a great sense of community within our gym and I might be biased but traveling to other locations it’s hard to find a gym/community quite like ours.   Not only am I lucky to be a member of this gym but being able to coach and be involved with members’ progress has a special feeling.  Being in the gym is always one of the best 1-2 hours of my day.” 
CrossFit Level 1