I treat Evanston Athletic Club as if I live there. Most of the time I show up looking a mess just to attend my vinyasa/sculpt yoga classes because it is a judgment free zone. Mindys classes leave me sore damn near every single time. I love this gym because it is more chill, and less populated. There is a lot of natural light, especially in the turf area on the 3rd floor near the spin studio because it is so private. There is a pilates studio on the same level, but the classes are extra charge/seperate. I pay $65 a month, and I honestly think it is such a great deal. The jacuzzi does tend to be crowded before 4 though. I love the machine that dries my swimsuit, that is so helpful, and they give you a bag with it like what. Also at this location they have a keypad for the lockers that actually work, even though the facility is a little outdated. There is parking..no it is not free. read more

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Great facility for the price. Unfortunately, loud overhead "music" has again migrated to negative, auctioneer-style computer-generated, monotonous, hate-the-world rap. When we work out, we expect positive environment. We all bring our own devices, so I wish they would shut off their overhead noise. Where is the support of diversity? read more

I have been an EAC member for over 30 years now. I have always been very happy with the EAC.. But now, I am frustrated with a constant problem the EAC keeps having with the HOT TUB. Earlier this year the HOT TUB was out of order for nearly 4 months. It was working fine until, it wasn't. The timer does not work and will not turn on the jets in the HOT TUB. The turn on "BUTTON" has been failing for the longest time. I have a suggestion, the HOT TUB turn on button plain doesn't function well at all on a regular basis. Here is my suggestion, replace it with a timer instead. I am posting pictures to help the EAC Management to look into this option. I can go on how important the HOT TUB is for many members. But, please let's get it fixed once and for all. Thank you, Rose Adamczyk read more

This club has everything you need to have a great workout. I like the 20 yard swimming pool for laps and a hot tub, sauna, and steam room to go along with it. They have classes too but if you're just in the mood to open your mind up or shoot baskets there is a basketball court on the top floor. The staff there are very friendly and welcoming when I come and go. I would definitely recommend this club because of the price too which is half of what you would pay at lifetime fitness. read more

Everyone who works at EAC is very helpful, and the facility is clean. I also love the classes, especially Zumba. The instructors are amazing! read more

Not sure why the reviews are so negative. After doing a free trial day I decided to get a membership. Ive been to every gym imaginable in the past; Lifetime, 24hr fitness, Equinox, LA Fitness, local gyms etc. EAC is comparable to Lifetime, just smaller with less amenities. For example you can't get food or other services at EAC. This is perfect for me as I am the type of person who only goes to the gym to workout. Imo EAC has better machine selection & the smaller size of the gym is way more convenient for me. EAC is geared to people who actually want to exercise while still being a clean & peaceful environment, something I have found lacking in other smaller gyms. The locker rooms are nice and spacious, with shower, sauna, steam room. I feel comfortable enough showering here, taking my time doing my skincare & drying my hair, which for me is the difference between a regular gym and a luxury gym. I pay $80 a month for the base membership, I believe classes are free(I haven't done any) & personal training can be purchased, you can also purchase an extended membership which allows you to access the other locations. read more

Evanston Athletic Club - Me at EAC - Gyms Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Lovely gym with great amenities I love the sauna and steam room in the locker room. The classes are lots of fun as well

I put my account on hold for the summer, as I have many times. They started billing full price after one month. Their billing arrangement is broken. Do not join this gym! read more

Evanston Athletic Club (EAC) Review I've been a member of Evanston Athletic Club for many years, but over time, my experience has become increasingly frustrating. Many of the amenities I initially paid for were frequently out of service, which was disappointing given the cost of membership. Additionally, their pause policy and cancellation fees are something to be mindful of--pausing your membership still incurs a charge, and if you decide to cancel, you'll need to give a 30-day notice or face a $75 fee. I eventually started looking into other gym options that could offer a more reliable experience and clearer policies. read more

Very quiet. Not crowded. They have a pool sauna steam room. Free weights, rock walls. Great value

I really enjoy the warmer therapy pool.Its hard to find one close by and accessible.The staff is very helpful .

This is a great space for working out and activities. Ive been a member for years and staff and gym members are respectful and place is generally clean and organized. I love the pool time and all of the group activities and personal trainers. Definitely very cool to be part of this place. read more

Its a good health club with a lot of amenities and not crazy over priced. There are plenty of machines so can always find something to do, if the machine you want is being used. They could use a few more benches as those go quick. read more

On a trial visit to the EAC and I'll have to say, I am rather impressed with this facility. One of the sister branches of the Chicago athletic clubs, the EAC was founded in 1980 and is a 55,000 square foot multilevel facility that has state of the art cardio and weight machines (some with built in tvs and ports to plug your Ipod/phone in), free wifi, several group exercise class rooms, a basketball court, personal trainers, a lap swimming pool with 4 lanes, a decently sized hot tub, therapy pool (for Evanston hospital patients), a climbing wall with a height of over 3 stories, a sauna and a steam room that I swear emits lavender/mint scented steam! They have free towel service,hair dryers for use and there are free herbal scented lotions in their bathrooms. The main floor is also home to BOX Evanston. So my friend and I arrived here at 2pm and left at around 6:30! Time was well spent here and there is much to do at the EAC with group fitness classes offered nearly every hour! Their class schedule offerings are impressive and carry a wide range of classes from gentle Qi Dong to TRX. In fact I didn't know what Feldenkrais was until I got there! I looked at the class schedule for today and they offered yoga 3 times a day which to me is perfect because my other gym only offers yoga three times a week and it's either mid day on a weekday or in the evening at 8 pm. Or on a Sunday in the middle of lunchtime!!! WTF! Neither of those times are conducive to my schedule so it's nice to find a place that offers yoga on a daily rotating schedule. So we arrived, checked our bags in their lockers (that are btw keypad locked), and went off to do some laps in their pool. The pool is heated so it was a comfortable swim. I like how the pool facility has pool exercise equipment to use free of charge. My friend and I enjoyed our time using the Water Dumbbells and Kick boards. After several laps followed by pruny looking toes and fingers, we both decided it was off to the hot tub to unwind and relax. So far so good. We then went to their steam room that emits a lavender/mint scent. How relaxing and therapeutic was that! Totally was a pleasant surprise and in addition to that, being in their steam room opened up my nasal passages so I could breathe better. Loved it. Finally to dry off, we hit the sauna. Sauna was unfortunately small but stayed nice and hot. Only stayed there for a short while. I couldn't handle the heat too long since I already spent some time in the steam room and hot tub. Any more time spent in the sauna would have caused heat stroke!!! Thankfully I had my water bottle nearby and it came in handy. I'm not sure what their monthly rates are but I do know it's expensive. But if you can afford the monthly/year membership, the service, classes and amenities are worth the money. Parking is on the street if/when available or you could use the city garages nearby. Metered parking is about a dollar an hour with max two hour increments. read more

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Avoid this place at all costs. They lied to my wife about a one month free trial. They promised her she would have to actively sign up and the end of a trial month. She did not and they charged her al$75. Save your money for an honest gym. read more

I moved to the area and received a postcard advertisement for EAC with a coupon to waive the registration fee of $150 and to try out the gym for free for 3 days. I took the tour and they went over the monthly/ yearly pricing and the discount I could get if I signed up that same day. After working out, I decided to sign up for a month and to take advantage of the limited discount. Came out to about $40 for the first month and they converted my 2 other free days into guest passes. I ended up cancelling my membership after that month, which was a smooth process. This gym has a bunch of equipment, machines, and classes offered. Weekends were more crowded than the weekdays, but I always felt like I had enough personal space to workout and didn't have to wait long for equipment to be available. I went to a couple cycle classes and they were never full, so I didn't have to stress about getting a spot. The lockers were easy to use and there are convenient water refill, kleenex, and bacteria wipe stations in most areas. The atmosphere is different from a college gym. On average I'd say the crowd is more senior, but there's the occasional group of tweens floating around. One time I spotted a small group of little girls, must have been less than 10 years old, climbing the wall -- so cute! read more

It's a nice facility but the group classes are not varied enough and they are mostly offered during business hours, so people who work can't go. I joined in the spring and haven't gone because the class times are so inconvenient and they don't even have interval training classes. I used to belong to FFC in the city - way more accommodating than EAC. The whole North Shore really doesn't have good gyms. It's surprising. I don't want a personal trainer. Just want some good, modern classes. Also, the parking here isn't great. read more

They gym and equipment are all in good shape. There's different levels so that's how we'll do this one. Downside (for me): this gym is eerily quiet. There is no music in the background. I find it very odd. Another poster describes EAC as more of a club than a gym. I think that's probably pretty accurate. 1st floor: there's the check in desk and a pool. The staff is friendly. Pool kept at 82-84 so you're never cold. There's also a hot tub. Also on the first floor is care for kids and the golf room. I don't golf so I've got nothing for you there. 2nd floor: locker rooms with towels and everything you need to get ready. There's also a climbing wall, close to 40 feet and they apparently change up the routes pretty frequently. This is also their yoga room 3rd floor: this is where you'll spend most of your time - cardio, free weights and machines. There's also a few TRX and other body movement items. 4th floor: this is where they have the basketball court, cycling and other exercise class. They do have some basic boxing equipment as well, which I appreciate. read more

Evanston Athletic Club - New home. New gym. - Gyms Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

For the love of god, EAC, please fix your audio system already. A long-neglected issue that brings EAC out of sync with other CAC clubs, and gyms in general. No music on the third floor (main floor for weights and cardio) results in an eerie, whisper quiet environment with people walking around like zombies. Staff at front desk claims issues with the Sonos system. Fine, so can we please fix it... or get a new system? read more

What a disappointment in a gym. I do not even know where to begin so I will begin where it matters most - the price for their gym membership. Almost $70 a month for a gym that is outdated, dimly lit and at the time I went in, felt as though the AC was not on or very very low so it felt muggy. I am not against paying a hefty fee if it means the quality will be match the high-priced fee. That is certainly not the case here... AT ALL... While the following is a subjective opinion, I think I am justified in feeling this way.. 1) For a gym to charge as much as they do.. I expect there to be free parking - which there is not.. and the parking garages are only free for an hour... 2) The actual gym is located on the 2nd floor, so that mans all the nit picky rules about not dropping weights, applies.. I get it..if you are lifting weights past an amount that you cannot really lift, it can be inconsiderate..but IT IS A GYM For goodness sake, dropping weights is part of the territory (I am talking about the old-school weight training gyms) as is using the weighted balls and slamming them on the ground..which from the looks of it... looks like it cannot be done here aside from the fact that I didn't even see them here. 3) Other "high" end gyms provide eucalyptus towels which is nice... not here... Through my insurance company, I get access to low-budget gyms for only $25 a month....I really do not see any difference whatsoever from this gym to a place like LA FITNESS where I am only paying $25 through the insurance program. If a gym is going to charge an astronomical fee, they better have customer service, and amenities that set them apart from the rest. I am talking about a new, renovated building, new equipment AND equipment that cannot be found at other gyms. I just cannot wrap my head around how much gyms such as this one want to charge nowadays yet offer absolutely nothing different from the low-end gyms- and to be honest, I actually liked LA Fitness layout and equipment much better at a much better price point. And for my high end, I will stay at FFC read more

I have been a member since 2012 switched over from LA Fitness a couple of blocks away. I am still with EAC extremely satisfied. I was very much shocked by recent 1* reviews and felt like leaving a review for EAC. I am taking at least one group fitness class every day. The classes are of pretty decent quality considering they are complimentary. Especially, I love Vlad's bodypump, Leslie's boxing and Lane's vinyasa flow yoga classes. They are pretty intense and fun at the same time so that I can get the maximum out of 1 hour exercise. It would probably be hard for those doing only treadmills or elliptical trainers to justify their membership price which is x2 as expensive as LA Fitness'. However, if you like quality group fitness classes, this is the very fitness center you should go in Evanston. read more

Just moved to Evanston and have been at the club for about a year now. The front desk is very friendly and helpful. I generally go during the weekdays and it's never overly crowded and I never have a problem getting on a cardio machine. There is a wide selection of cardio machines, weight machines, free weights and classes. Love that I can go to as many classes as I want for the monthly fee. The place is kept clean and in good order. There are plenty of lockers and space with good showers. Close to the El. Would highly recommend this club to people looking for a variety of exercise options. read more

"We are not a gym; we are a club." These are the words of one of EAC's Elite trainers. On Monday, June 11 I was doing dumbbell bench presses with 80lb dumbbells, and this trainer reprimanded me and asked that I stop "dropping the weights" because the noise is "disruptive" to other members. I responded that what I was doing was normal at a gym. She then told me that EAC is not, in fact, a gym. She also recommended that I use lighter weights if I cannot workout without dropping them. By implication, she said that I am not allowed to push myself to make gains in strength and size, since doing so requires lifting weight that is (for me) heavy. Of course, I was not carelessly "dropping" the dumbbells. I did two sets to failure and carefully "dropped" the weights from about bench height, guiding the dumbbells with my hands until they reached the ground. I wasn't being inconsiderate or reckless. I was working on progression and was pushing myself. I carefully "dropped" the weights to prevent injury to my shoulders. The dumbbells did make a relatively loud noise, but that is because EAC DOES NOT HAVE RUBBER GYM FLOORING. When they remodeled a few months ago, they replaced all of the rubber flooring with a layer of carpet padding and green turf. This was a foolish decision on the part of the owner, especially considering the fact that the free weights are on the second floor of an old building. As a result, heavy dumbbells make a loud noise when you put them on the floor unless you place them very carefully. Interestingly, they also installed four lifting platforms when they remodeled. Does this mean that we cannot "drop weights" on the platform either because the noise is disruptive to other members? If we are not allowed to make noise on the platforms, why did they install them? Do we have to carefully and noiselessly place the new bumper plates on the platforms when we do heavy deadlifts? I've been a member at EAC for about three years, but I've always felt like it wasn't a real gym. EAC caters to affluent retirees who want to work with trainers and to middle-aged professionals who are not interested in pushing themselves hard. Many of these members seem uncomfortable with people who work out with intensity, lift heavy, and really work on making gains. So if you're serious about bodybuilding or weightlifting, if you're serious about making noticeable gains in muscularity and strength, if you want to lift heavy or work out intensely, I do not recommend this "club." read more

UPDATE: After several email correspondences and a conference call with the Membership Director, Ray, my mother has decided to return to the club after a month away and I will join her for a month as a guest. Ray ensured that Nora had been spoken to about her problematic behavior, that other members of the staff had transitioned out of the club and that he plans to address the chronic customer service issues with new training and new personnel. This is what we asked for, and probably the best outcome we could have hoped for. I am deciding to be optimistic and believe that change will come to the club. My family will, however, remain vigilant and I hope yours will too! read more

EAC...you're not getting more than three stars. No way. Not since I've been to LVAC. Where do I start? Perhaps my review should be like the gym layout: scattered and disorganized, with no flow between the locker rooms and the rest of the areas of the gym. This place feels like it was carved out of a factory. I'm hip to the converted loft interior, but there are myriad problems when a company does that. It's a decent enough gym, but it's not at all swanky. So many differences between this club and the other locations within the CAC brand. Some oddities, for better or worse... * The men's showers use the same aluminum partitions as toilet stalls. Yeah, you guessed it: there's a no easy way to figure out which is which. * This gym's idea of machine wipes is a stack of paper towels and a bottle of alcohol. * As with so many other commercial gyms with pools, the pool is over-chlorinated. The jacuzzi (which is five degrees too hot) might as well be labeled, "a boiling pot of bleach and bromide." But those are just cosmetic things that aren't easily changeable. Well...the pool is, but they'll never remedy that. What this place lacks in organization is made up in heart. I noticed some nice things my one visit here: * I saw a great mix of people--all ages, body types and workout routines. I sensed a zero attitude vibe in the cardio & resistance areas. I haven't seen that kind of diversity since my days at the YMCA. * I ran into an old co-worker from a place we worked at 13 years ago who's now a trainer & massage therapist. Shout-out to Sharon Cooper. * The water workout with Robin B. is not for wimps. My bad for thinking it'd be a stretching class for old folks where I could lounge around in the pool. Nope; you'll be pushed to your limits. read more

Just tried to buy a $500.00 gift card for a pal of mine who is a member. EAC wanted $26.00 to sell a $500 gift card and deliver it electronically. No sale! read more

The gym itself is OK but got worse IMO with the newly remodeled machine area. Major complaint: First they stopped giving guest passes for points in mid 2018. Then in July they eliminated the point system altogether. read more

This is the least clean of the 8 clubs. The Customer Service manager is amazing so Professional, members are friendly. The classes are great! Parking Blows, not free and a PIA. Tons of workout equipment and a buzzing place . read more

I have been a member for the past 4 years and I am very happy here! l became a member here for the Yoga classes and the kids club option. They have some of the best yoga instructors that don't teach the typical "gym style" yoga but more traditional and authentic (some teacher still teach the gym style, but some people look for that as well, so it's good for both worlds). It's always clean and staff is friendly. We love the kids club!! This place is worth the price and I would definitely recommend it! read more

I walked in hoping to get information and the average cost for the club. I didn't want to talk to anyone in membership because my wife was waiting in the car and we were short on time. But instead of giving me an idea of the membership fees, guy at the desk avoided the question by answering "it depends, I don't know off the top of my head." He said he could call someone down from membership but I explained I was short on time but asked "depends on what." He answered, if "you're a student, corporate, have insurance, etc." To which I replied, "I have none of that, what is the average fee?" Again he replied in a dismissive manner, "it depends, I don't know off the top of my head." The whole exchange was off putting and felt like this club didn't want my business. read more

Upgrading a bit. The weight machines and free weight areas are decent/good. The cardio machines generally need service. The WiFi is as slow as ever. Cancelling was quite easy and thus the extra star. read more

After four years of EAC membership, my husband and I left, and we don't miss it at all. Just never felt the love. Before we moved to Evanston, we went to Fitness Formula in Lakeview which offers a MUCH nicer experience. Quickly, my main gripes: COST: Just not a good deal. Feels too expensive for such a crowded, large old facility. And when I called to cancel, they were like, "Okay. See ya." Never asked what they could do to keep us. CLASSES: while there are tons of classes from which to choose, the instructors NEVER give any corrections or guidance. They just continue to count through the paces and never walk through the room to correct your form, suggest you slow down or speed up, or whatever. CARDIO MACHINES: often the one(s) I want are occupied; almost always stained with sweat and hair - they don't look like they're ever thoroughly wiped down by staff. Just a quick swipe (sometimes) by users. It's kinda steamy and sweaty on that 3rd floor, and not in a good way. LOCKER ROOM: usually busy and crowded, and the showers are yukky - small, metal/grimy, cheapo shampoo, you want flip flops. PARKING: good luck finding a place to park, and meters prevent you from staying more than two hours. Garages are a cold, sweaty walk a few blocks away. I'm checking out new gyms now, which is what brought me to this page... so long, EAC. Would have been really nice for you to reach out and say, "what could we do better to keep you as a valued member?" read more

I am sooooo happy I joined EAC! After moving from Atlanta to Evanston, I was stressed about being able to find a great yoga studio and a great gym. I went to Exhale in Atlanta, and there isn't one here. Little did I know, I would find both of these things within one place! The studios and gym are beautiful, and it is very strange to me that people on Yelp have called it a dump??? They have a Woodway Curve treadmill(!!!!!!), Manduka yoga mats to use for free, a full roster of classes including a spin studio, yoga studio, private and group pilates studios, and super nice instructors and staff. If you love classes and/or appreciate awesome equipment, EAC is for you! Love it here! read more

This place is full of old unhappy people who think it's their right to tell you what you can and can't do. Totally not family friendly. No music in the common areas. My daughter called it the most boring gym ever. Avoid if you have kids or you like to listen a little bit of loud music in your headphones. Front desk people are nice, no complains. read more

Very stingy club. They got rid of their reward system bc people were using the guest passes they earned lol. And now they charge you $15 even if you use a guest pass. They also didn't inform us about this at all and surprised us before our workout. Then gave attitude about it. read more

Great gym, however cancellation in prep for a move through ABC Financial, not through front desk operations, is a sham. No replies to emails and guaranteed 30 days of payment beyond requested term date. Buyer beware you will be out $$$. read more

It's a good thing this gym has no competition in the area because it would be gone in an instant. Right now, a good half of the treadmills are malfunctioning. One vending machine or another is never working. There seems to be a pretty high turnover at the front desk, but who can blame them for wanting to get out of this place? Upsides: seems pretty sanitary, housed in a cool building. But it's decidedly not upscale. read more

From: MaryAnne M Sent: Thursday July 2, 2009 4:40pm To: ****@eaconline.com Subject: Women enjoy TV too! Amy- Thank you for your quick response. I appreciate that the staff has approached this issue in the past. I don't know how often you visit our locker room, but I would hardly call it quiet. Do you know what 4 - 6 blow dryers at one time sound like? The United terminal at O'Hare is less noisy. I hope the staff does not mind if I put a sign-up sheet in the ladies locker room to revisit it. Unless of course you want to run the risk of me running into the Men's locker room if I hear a big play while walking by. And then that missy, is on your head. MaryAnne ====================================================== From: MaryAnne M Sent: Thursday July 2, 2009 10:17 am To: ****@eaconline.com Subject: Women enjoy TV too! Maryanne, A few years ago we put a TV in the women's locker room and we received many complaints about it. It seems that most of the women preferred a quieter environment. In an effort to accommodate the majority we removed the TV. I hope you continue to enjoy the club and your holiday weekend. Amy Evanston Athletic Club 847-866-6190 847-866-8601 (fax) ====================================================== From: MaryAnne M Sent: Thursday July 2, 2009 12:09 AM To: ****@eaconline.com Subject: Women enjoy TV too! Amy- Let me begin by saying I love the club and am a happy member, I do however have a question. I am wondering why this evening while exiting the floor towards the women's locker room I heard the Cubs game being broadcast from the men's locker room. Since I had been watching the game on the treadmill during my workout I RAN into the women's locker room ( thinking perhaps I had a stroke & somehow missed a TV all this time ) only to reconfirm that yes, I am in perfect neurological health. There simply is no TV in the ladies locker room. Why is that I wonder? MaryAnne read more

Please read the entire review before going off on me about the low rating. I've been a member at EAC, and LPAC before that, for five years. I've put up with remodels, full classes, and a few other things. But, I've always enjoyed being a member there. I will say that the classes that the clubs offer - everything from core strengthening to yoga, and from climbing to spinning - have been wonderful experiences primarily due to the staff of trainers they employ. I'm a particularly big fan of Bhaki and her yoga classes. The facilities have also been nicely upgraded over the past year, so it's less cramped and there's more light and ventilation - which are both good. The machines have been upgraded too, so it's nice to always find an open elliptical machine with a personal tv that's working. What I don't like about EAC is the staff that works behind the scenes. I think that they could work improve their customer service and decrease the arrogance. I had a billing mishap during the last month of my membership. Rather than correct it, their membership director told me slowly, with mono-syllabic words (as if I was having a hard time understanding things) that I was lucky to be a member at EAC and that I was also lucky to pay low rates and that she would not change anything. First, the student rate that I was paying was not the lowest in town, it was higher than the base rates offered at LA Fitness (around the corner with new facilities). Second, I don't appreciate being talked down to as if I'm a moron. Third, I'd been a member for a long time and had been considering renewing my membership. This experience has left me with an especially sour taste in my mouth and I will not return to the club. Now, if you like classes and a variety of equipment and don't mind paying higher fees, then by all means, EAC is a great club. But, don't be surprised when yo have an issue and they refuse to help you out. read more

Meh. I think EAC and I are on the verge of a break-up. It's just been a so-so experience. For $80/month, I just expect a little more. It seems like there's an additional cost for everything - even parking. Not to mention the fact that child care is $10 per visit. Lifetime in Skokie is slightly more expensive, but has equally nice equipment, free child care and parking. Also, I'm big on barre classes and they have very limited offerings that are not convenient for my schedule. read more