Best gym in Chicago, hands down! I've been going to Quads for years and it truly stands out from…read moreany other gym I've been to. The trainers and staff are incredibly knowledgeable, supportive, and always willing to answer questions or offer advice, no matter your experience level. The owner, Sharon, is so welcoming and has created such a great community where everyone feels comfortable and motivated. If you're serious about lifting, this is the place to be. They have an amazing variety of machines and equipment that you won't find at most gyms, and everything is designed for people who really want to train properly. The atmosphere is motivating, the people are friendly, and it feels like a gym where everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed. A couple of my friends joined after I recommended it, and they're so glad they did. I couldn't recommend Quads more!

This is the most difficult review I've ever written for Yelp because I honestly love the idea of…read moreQuads and its history, but after a trial week, I ran back to my pathetic Planet Fitness. For years, I walked by and looked in the window just to see if some of the vibe would entice me to walk in and get energized by all the real-life Marvel Superheroes working out. And I'm glad for the week of experience I had because Quads has some of the nicest, knowledgeable, and dedicated fitness people I've ever met. From the moment I walked in to my final exit, the desk staff, the family members who run it, trainers I encountered, and a few guys who could deadlift car engines whom I asked questions how to use this or that, I felt a lot of compassion for me being the new guy in a sea of bewildering equipment that could either change my fitness life or scare me away. Bear in mind that I truly love Quads but coming from a lengthy history of memberships at Lakeshore Sport & Fitness, Gorilla Sports, YMCA, Holmes Place, Chicago Athletic Clubs, and Planet Fitness (with visits to FFC, Crunch, East Bank Club, Cheetah, Life Time, Bally's, and Midtown Athletic Club), I have to do a pro and con thing. Pros It's a good environment to watch others doing astonishing calisthenic exercises and massive lifts and squats. I'll never get to that level, but it's an inspiring place to get jazzed about your own routine. Quads has a diverse membership. You'll see everything from people doing their daily treadmill to pro bodybuilders doing four-hour circuits. I saw every kind of body type and age group. People doing rehab exercises and a person with a visual impairment. The specialty here is bodybuilding, though everyone is welcome. You'll hear grunts, fits of anger, yelling of encouragement, the rage of accomplishment, and claps of high-five. I felt like I was in a place where great bodies are refined. The membership prices are fantastic for the amount of equipment you're offered, and the hours are comparable to other gyms. They offer a few additional membership discounts not listed on the website, so go in and talk with them. Kudos to a gym that finally understands the right way memberships should work--upfront and no hassles. You are constantly reminded of your potential. There are photos and awards everywhere of past and present bodybuilders and pro and amateur athletes, and you can't help but soak up some of that greatness. You're in a place where celebrities have trained, too. Cons Here's where I have to be brutally honest. I may not know the difference between an Iso-Lateral Front Lat Pulldown and an Iso-Lateral Wide Pulldown, but I do know when machines are so old that they need to be replaced. If a machine's pads are worn, replace them. If a Selectorized's weight stack has half its weight labels missing, that should be fixed asap. If a machine's so old that the frame's been painted a number of times, it's probably a good time to replace it. I'm going to guess most of the equipment is older than the members. Sure, old-school machines can be great, and a lot of bodybuilders want them, but at some point, you need to replace them. Hammer Strength, Precor, and Cybex are constantly evolving the science of ergonomics, body mechanics, and safety. Please, Quads. Get new equipment. I didn't see any dumbbells less than 10#. That's not a bad thing, but small weight dumbbells would be great for people doing rehab or weaklings like me starting back at doing simple free weight exercises. In fairness, Planet Fitness dumbbells start at 10#, too. Other reviews are correct: A lot of the equipment, especially the Selectorized machines on the first floor, are squished so closely that safety could be an issue. There are a few machines so close together that parts could touch if used in full range of motion. If you're used to a defined circuit from a previous gym--especially if most of your workout is using Selectorized equipment--you might have difficulties matching it to the machines here. Plate-loaded and cables, no problem; they'll have one of anything you'll ever want. But for Selectorized, nothing made sense because a lot of what I needed was spread throughout the gym on both floors and in hard to find areas (e.g. the pec fly/rear delt machine was in a dimly lit corner, and most of the weights in the stack had no labels). I won't go into cleanliness. Suffice it to say this is a well-worn gym. The rusty lockers and second floor smell attest to the longevity of Quads, for better or worse. Overall, you should try Quads for a week to see if you like it. Most people swear this is the best gym. No, Quads doesn't have a pool, a sauna, towel service, group fitness classes, fancy self-locking lockers, a three-story climbing wall, or sleep rooms. They offer a world of fitness possibilities in an old school gym where amazing happens.

I decided to join Mode because I was tired of big box gyms and wanted a boutique experienxe. I took…read moreadvantage of my complimentary fitness assessment included with my membership and was paired with Trever. I was so impressed with his level of knowledge and approachable demeanor - especially since I was never the gym type I decided to continue my fitness journey with him. He's really fantastic! The other trainers at Mode are knowledgeable, helpful and take the time to assist their colleagues-ensuring their client has a great training session. They are always ready to offer guidance, answer questions, and provide personalized workout plans. I appreciate their expertise and the fact that they genuinely care about helping me achieve my fitness goals. I feel very welcomed here. I highly recommend Mode to anyone looking for a excellent gym experience. The friendly staff, clean equipment, and motivating atmosphere make it a great place to work towards your fitness goals. I am thrilled to be a member and look forward to continuing my fitness journey here and reaching my goal.

It will always surprise me when small gyms put people with low social skills and patience to work…read morewith the people coming in and out of the gym. Guy that worked with me had an attitude and was impatient. And yeah, $40 for a day pass is rough.... And what's up with the stick up the *ss when it comes to verifying residence lol even though I live in the loop, this whole experience was such a turn off.

Gorgeous health club!! My friend belongs here and I joined her for dinner at the restaurant/grill…read more The food was tasty and excellent service. I was given a 90 minute pass for dinner and they seem strict on the time. My friend also gave me a tour. It's an impressive space!! About 450,000 square feet, spanning across 2 full city blocks and 5 levels. They have everything you can think of: pools (4 pools!), saunas, restaurants, tennis, golf, basketball, boxing, group glasses, weights, machines, pickleball, spa, hair and nail salon, indoor running track, co-working space, and so much more. Beautiful artwork, pristine locker rooms and restrooms. Wow! High ceilings and so much space overall. Nothing felt crowded. Beautiful design and layout. I was in awe and very impressed.

(Kari's Rating 7.5/10)…read more TLDR -Up-to-Date equipment -Work from home spaces -Convenient Healthy Market Came with a friend to hang out on a Wednesday around 5:30pm to see what East Bank Club is all about. After seeing all the crazy amenities which were super cool with a ton of variety, I think the thing that surprised me the most is how up-to-date all of the equipment was and the variety of activities they had for people to enjoy. If you're looking for an all encompassing workout/work space, this is it! They have everything from full-size tennis courts, to a golf simulator-like set up,except you get to hit into an inflatable pillow! They also had plenty of Pickleball courts, and they offer so many different workout group classes.both a wet and dry, sauna, and tons of treadmills and free weights. I was also really impressed that they also had a physical training area. So think something that was my personal favorite and the best thing for Chicago Summers is a beautiful rooftop pool and lounge area. Not only did they have two outdoor pools (one for adults and one for kids) but they also have an indoor pool as well for winter as well as an indoor hot tub! They also had a common area workspace where people can come to take meetings and do their work from home gigs. You could practically move in here haha! As of right now, it is a $750 new membership fee as well as $295 a month, which is a pretty hefty chunk of change if you ask me considering most of the high rises around, have some kind of rooftop pool and workout area. It is cheaper if you join with a domestic partner or if you're between the ages of 16 and 29-see pic for current pricing. They also sometimes host social events which is super fun to meet everyone else in the club, but at the same time I think it is more of an investment in your future and your future health if you can afford it! I will not be joining at the moment, but hey-that could change anytime if I decide I should be on a health kick.

Equinox Loop will always hold a special place in my heart because it's where my journey with the…read morebrand began. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, and after graduating from college, my first city apartment was in Wicker Park. In 2007, I was working a couple of blocks away at One North Wacker and joined this club through a corporate discount. Looking back, it was one of the most consequential memberships I've ever purchased. At the time, I was trying to figure out adulthood. Like many young professionals, I was learning how to balance work, health, ambition, and independence. Equinox became part of that education. I started modestly: a few studio cycling classes, 20 minutes on the treadmill, some stretching afterward, and the occasional steam room session. What began as a simple attempt to stay in shape became a lifelong practice, one that ultimately led to thousands of workouts, countless classes, and challenges that would have seemed unimaginable to the person who first walked through those doors. The timing was significant too. I joined as the global financial crisis was unfolding around us. I was young enough to be somewhat insulated from its full impact, but old enough to sense that the world was changing in ways I didn't yet understand. Many people around me were experiencing layoffs, uncertainty, and losses that would reshape their lives. Looking back, I think Equinox became a refuge during that period. While the world outside often felt unsettled, this was a place built around routine, discipline, and self-improvement. That stability was more valuable than I understood at the time. The club itself embodied everything that drew me to Equinox. It was clean, polished, and unmistakably urban. Chicago has always had great fitness options, but Equinox felt different. It was smaller, more design-conscious, and more connected to a broader world beyond Chicago. In a city that can sometimes be skeptical of ideas and brands that arrive from elsewhere, Equinox brought a more cosmopolitan perspective to the fitness scene. I thought that was a positive thing then, and I still do. One of my favorite memories of this club has nothing to do with a workout. I'd finish exercising, spend time in the steam room, and then step outside into a Chicago winter evening. Snow would be falling. Steam would rise from my head into the cold air. The city would feel sharp, quiet, and alive all at once. For a few moments, everything seemed perfectly calibrated. I've experienced that feeling in other cities over the years, and it's still one of my favorite sensations in the world. It's the closest thing I've found to stepping out of a ski lodge and into the mountains. This was never one of Equinox's largest clubs, but that was part of its charm. I still remember the small retail area near the entrance, the salad bar, the old gray "Member" T-shirts, and buying my first pair of Balega socks, a South African running brand I've continued to support over the years. I also appreciated that this location had both a sauna and a steam room, a combination that's uncommon across the Equinox portfolio today. Over the years, I spent time at the original Chicago-area clubs as well, including 900 North Michigan, Lincoln Park, and Highland Park, near where I grew up. Since then, Highland Park has closed, and Equinox has expanded in the city with new locations in Fulton Market and Lincoln Common. Each club reflected a different chapter of the brand's evolution in Chicago. But Loop was my original Equinox. Whether it was the first club Equinox opened in Chicago or not, it was the first one I joined and the one that started my relationship with the brand. As the pace of my life accelerated, that consistency became even more valuable. I moved between cities, changed jobs, traveled constantly, and experienced all the unpredictability that comes with adulthood. Through it all, Equinox remained a reliable point of return. No matter where I was, I knew what awaited me: a clean locker room, a familiar steam room, quality equipment, and a space designed to help people reset. That may sound like a small thing, but it isn't. When your life becomes increasingly mobile and fragmented, familiar places take on greater meaning. Equinox became a kind of home base for me. It was where I went to clear my head, regain my footing, and pull myself back together before moving on to whatever came next. I've now visited more than 20 Equinox locations across the country. Returning here years later felt less like visiting a gym and more like revisiting the starting point of a much longer story. A great gym helps you build strength. The best ones become part of the architecture of your life. For me, Equinox Loop did exactly that.

Gym photos look like any other gym. 3.6 stars for a place that should only be 5 stars?? This…read more"premium" and expensive experience doesn't seem so premium. Better off at LA Fitness across the loop for less than half the price

I have been a member at Midtown Athletic Club for over 10 years. I have watched this club grow and…read moreexpand throughout the years. They are always striving to stay on top of the latest fitness and wellness research. The new wellness program that has been integrated has been amazing! Amy Chase and Richard are a dream duo in this! The instructors are top notch! Ann Stehr, Nicole Belica, Ally Shanahan, Sarah and Derick are leading the charges full force and offer some amazing classes! They are all experts in their field! Alex Johnson at the front desk (Even though I have not seen him in a bit)? Always is there with a friendly face and always is willing to help out with members problems and questions! Val is always a friendly face and there for any members questions and concerns. She has been a great addition to the Chicago location! I appreciate all that midtown offers myself and my family

The good: 1. Great…read morefacility and amenities 2. Indoor tennis (monopoly) 3. Amazing restaurant with good prices and really good food 4. Sauna and steam room 5. Plenty of exercise machines and programs for work out 6. Last but not the least, despite all the negative reviews I think the staff is amazing and deserves kudos The not so good: 1. For the price, not really worth it when you consider you have to pay additional $$$ for tennis, Pilates etc 2. Multiple people have shared my observation that the yoga program is below average and my partner attended one class and never went back because of an abrasive the yoga instructor. Overall if you have additional $$$ and don't mind paying more than what you are getting (like the Bucktown housing market) then you will certainly enjoy this place. If you're looking for something that makes sense from a value perspective then there are other options.

Renovated location but the bathrooms were not the cleanest. They basically added. Larger area for…read morethe personal training. Also they do Pilates and you get 2hrs of free parking in the garage

Had an extremely positive experience with Aisha. She was incredibly kind, professional, and…read morewelcoming from start to finish. She went above and beyond to make sure I had a great experience, answered all of my questions with patience, and was always willing to help. Her positive attitude and excellent customer service really stood out. Aisha is a fantastic employee who truly cares about the people she helps, and she is a wonderful asset to the team. I highly recommend working with her!

Clean gym. Has been renovated last few years and being managed well. I'm a big fan of the…read moreWednesday kickboxing class (included in membership).

This place is getting worse. Can someone please oil/grease the machines? It is too difficult to…read moreadjust equipment. Also, the owner is kinda moody.

I've been a member of Life Time Fitness for several years now and I have to say this location is…read more.. interesting. Located on the 9th floor of the One Chicago building near Magnificent Mile. To gain access into the club you can either walk in from the main lobby floor of One Chicago and take the elevator up to the 9th floor and that's where the club entrance is. There's only two elevators, during rush hour times there is often a line just to go up or down. You could take the stairs but who wants to climb 9 levels? That alone is a workout! Once you're inside the club there's 2 floor levels. The first floor has the check-in lobby, cafe, bar, locker rooms, rooftop pool and spa. The second level has all the workout equipment, cardio, and studio rooms for workout classes. I wasn't a big fan of the layout, it's kind of all over the place. Got a chance to take a Warrior Sculpt class with Taylor and it was awesome! One of the best sculpt classes I've ever had. I've seen some reviews complain about issues with the staff being rude but I honestly did not encounter any of that. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Oh and one last thing! This Life Time is open 24 hours! That's something I've never seen before, not even in NYC. That's a major win.

I've been teaching as an instructor here for the past year and love the facilities, the members,…read moreand my 5 year old loves the kids academy and free parents night out parties! Great for all ages, fitness levels, and interests.

I fell in love with this gym during a recent Chicago visit (I am from LA), and almost can't believe…read moreI stumbled upon it. It was like walking back into the 90's, true authentic old school gym. I loved it so much I bought a t-shirt!

Awesome spot to get in a lift. It's usually not super crowded, especially compared to other gyms…read more Typically waiting for a machine isn't necessary and in the it is actually taken, others should be available to use. The membership is one of the cheapest in the area too. Only complaint was with the treadmills. Seemed like the treadmill belts were also broken and couldn't jog past 5.5 speed.

Lincoln Park is one of the best examples of Equinox matching the personality of its neighborhood…read more Bright, active, and quietly stylish, it feels like a natural extension of the park, lakefront, and athletic rhythm of this part of Chicago.

Reception staff and maintenance crew are wonderful. Otherwise it is so run down, outdated old…read moreequipment and stains on floor. Definitely not a first rate Equinox or gym given their fees. Management sends out surveys and when submit negative review you will be contacted but nothing changes. For a while they felt taping equipment was appropriate. I posted the above review a couple of years ago and the same equipment, ratty orange wall covering, stained floors... still the same. They continue to send surveys and give promises a big remodel is happening. And we just got a notice they are increasing monthly membership. In the notice they have the audacity to discuss investments when zero have occurred at this facility. I am still there for the 2 minute walk from my home but please new and prospective new members know that their assurances of new equipment and remodel is highly unlikely. Facility A/C was down for nearly two weeks and they kindly offered access to other locations, no small %off our monthly membership fee. Also, you mat freeze your membership with a $50 / month fee.