Chicago's Best Gym 2008

Yuppies to moms-to-be stay fit with progressive classes and impressive facilities.

Reviews:

• “shut up and sweat—we don’t care if you like it”
• “Best personal training!”
• “Great Personal Training”
• “Great Equipment, Lose the Attitude”
• “A great Exercise Environment”

Tips: The adjacent parking lot is free 5am-5:30am and 9pm-close. Otherwise, pay $2 for up to 3 hours with validated ticket.

Lincoln Park Athletic Club or email Lincoln Park Athletic Club

Two city blocks and five levels of fitness, wellness, indulgence and service.

Reviews:

• “East Bank Club is -4 star disaster!”
• “Anyone not giving EBC 5 stars has confused it with someplace else”
• “I am picky…”
• “The best group exercise programs”
• “Ridiculous!!!”

Tips: While you’re at the club, you can drop your clothes at the dry cleaner, drop your kids at the children’s activity center (open 8:30am-5pm most days) and have your car washed in the underground garage.

East Bank Club

Upscale, Zen-inspired gym catering to the fit professional.

Reviews:

• “Equinox evolving, still a great club”
• “Poorl”
• “Best in Chicago!”
• “dumbbells, but no dummies”

Equinox Fitness Clubs

Locals work up a sweat at this all-business, but no pretenses gym in Evanston.

Reviews:

• “A good athletic club never locks you in contract”

Tips: Metered parking is free before 9am and after 6pm, Monday through Saturday and free on Sundays. Garage parking at Clark and Maple is free for one hour; $1 for up to 2 hours; and $2 for up to 3 hours.

Evanston Athletic Club or email Evanston Athletic Club

Far-out fitness makes exercising fun.

Reviews:

• “Not as good as it used to be”
• “Must Join Gym”
• “Upscale club without Upscale attitude”
• “ALWAYS MOTIVATED”
• “phat funk-take it”

Tips: Monthly, the gym hosts parties that include oddities like Elvis impersonators and bingo a la treadmill, along with bountiful, but fairly healthy, buffets. On these nights, members are allowed to bring a guest of their choice.

Crunch or email Crunch

Reviews:

• “Quads gym "
• “Great Gym for Real Workouts”

Quads Gym

This budget gym trims the fat off its patrons at streamlined facilities.

Reviews:

• “One member described it as a dungeon, and I agree – I rate it a 0 if this rating system doesn’t work right”
• “Dishonest staff”

Bally Total Fitness or email Bally Total Fitness

Fitness club offers Spinning, tai chi, yoga, kickboxing and other fitness classes, tanning beds and fully appointed locker rooms.

Reviews:

• “The Best of Many”
• “best kept secret”

Tips: Sign up for the Sharper Fitness monthly newsletter and receive a free two-week membership pass.

Symmetry

This enormous, versatile health club is the perfect remedy for Chicago’s unpredictable weather.

Reviews:

• “Mixed bag but great for families”
• “great classes, dilapidated gym”
• “great club”
• “Run Like A Cash Cow”

Tips: Members can park for free all week.

Lakeshore Athletic Club – Lincoln Park

High-styling European import for exercise, relaxation and dining.

Reviews:

• “Gone from exceptional to horrible”
• “great facility, but getting overcrowded after work. . .”
• “Serious training in a luxurious enviroment”
• “State of the Art Facility”
• “Horrible horrible experience with Holmes Place”

Tips: You can choose one of three membership options: single-club, continental or worldwide.

Holmes Place

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