In town for a few days and needed a gym that offered day passes. The process to obtain a Day Pass was easy and the front desk was very helpful . The gym is much better than the large chain gym. Very good locker room amenities and a decent gym floor layout. Is it for serious Bodybuilders or Powerlifters ? Not the vibe here. Overall , I would use this facility again even though it's a bit pricey for a Day Pass. read more

Great first visit to FFC! I took a Pilates class with Bree and definitely left with that satisfying "good hurt" feeling, if you know, you know! The gym is clean and well-organized, which is a big plus for me, especially since large gyms can sometimes seem cluttered and confusing. The staff was friendly and helpful. I can't say enough good things about this place. read more

Fitness Formula Clubs South Loop - Pilates space - Gyms Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been a member now for almost a year and they have made some great improvements recently. The recovery lounge, namely, has been a great addition!! It's really easy to book on your phone. The massage chairs are actually quite great. I love the classes here, especially the cycle classes. I haven't ever been in the gym when it's super packed, so I don't feel claustrophobic nor have I ever had to wait for a machine. The staff is really nice and the faculty is always fairly clean. read more

I like this gym a lot, it's has all the equipment I need. I tend to go when it's not so ceowded.I love the new additions of the recovery lounge,great for post workout relaxation. read more

Fitness Formula Clubs South Loop - recovery lounge - Gyms Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A godsend compared to the deplorable, ghetto, hellscape known as LA Fitness that I unfortunately used to be a member of. This gym is very clean with custodians constantly tidying things up. All the equipment works properly, which is never the case at any LA Fitness. All the members put away the weights in the appropriate slots, which no members at LA Fitness do. And all the people here, employees and patrons, seem very amicable and supportive of each other. I'm glad to be a member. read more

I stopped by today for a workout and was really impressed with this place. The guys who helped check me in were chill and the rest of the staff were showing pride in their work. All the machines and equipment were new and modern. I believe the treadmills have smart TV monitors on them too. Place was clean and was not overly crowded. If you want to get a great workout in, whether that is lifting, yoga, pilates, cardio, etc. this is the place to go. read more

'I've been an off-and-on member of FFC for the past 20 years, and this is the best version yet! After trying boutique gyms that were great, but not as cost-effective, I rejoined a few months ago and couldn't be happier. I go to the South Loop gym and the West Loop one primarily. I like the layout of the weights in the South Loop but I love the pool at the West Loop. Favorite amenity - eucalyptus towels! One thing I love about FFC is the classes and the excellent instructors. The Pilates and mat classes,,are top-notch, as is their regular group fitness classes. . The instructors are knowledgeable and adapt workouts to your level and love what they do. . The South Loop location is the cleanest gym I've ever been to which is important to me.. The membership isn't cheap, but I feel it's worth it for the quality you get - Plus, you can choose different levels of membership. I like mine because it allows me to access multiple FFC locations and use the pool in the West Loop and other places. This variety and flexibility are fantastic. Another plus for FFC is the community. The members are very friendly, and it is nice to see regulars. . I'm looking forward to the recovery lounge (massage chairs and compression boots and other gadgets) at the South Loop, which I've enjoyed at the West Loop location. read more

Im a veteran whose struggled with depression,ptsd, and weight gain after I got off active duty, I weighed 256lbs at my heaviest. I was in pain all the time, people would cross the street when they saw me. I joined FFC 6 months ago and with the help of Ben, Matt and all the other positive encouraging employees I dropped to 170 lbs and then gained 20lbs in muscle. The positive attitude of the staff and the cleanliness, not to mention the small things like the soap and other things in the locker rooms make this place amazing. For me FFC is an oasis in a crime ridden desert. The staff even provided medical care when I got slashed in the face 2 blocks from the gym. I love this gym and if you need a place that will support you and build your confidence while not judging then FFC is the gym for you read more

Fitness Formula Clubs South Loop - Locker room - Gyms Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love this facility one of the best gyms in Chicago! However our beloved Manager Matt needs help with internal issues could use some help as he seems to be stressed from upper management . read more

I have been a member of FFC South Loop for approximately 7-8 years. The location is very convenient and accessible by car, walking or public transportation (train and bus). There is also 2 hours of free parking daily in the off street garage. The facility and equipment are always well kept and clean and the staff friendly and attentive. This location is rarely if ever crowded. My daughter is six and has been a Kids Club member almost since birth. She loves it and The kids club staff is great. My daughter sees some of her friends from school at the club. We actually coordinate with other parents so our kids are there at the same time. I truly missed having access to the FFC South Loop during the pandemic shutdown. Now that the facility has reopened, I have been every day. The re-design and layout of the equipment to accommodate for spacing was well thought out. The online website real-time capacity monitor helps me plan my day accordingly. To date, since the re-opening, FFC South Loop has not been overly crowded, nor have I had to wait to enter the facility or felt pressured to leave due to capacity constraints. I feel safe and the extra precautions are appreciated. I also have observed the constant cleaning and sanitizing by the staff. Kids Club reopens on Monday. My daughter can't wait to go back. I am certain she will be safe in the club as well. I give everything about this club two thumbs up. It's a valued part of our neighborhood. read more

Fitness Formula Clubs South Loop - Gyms Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I enjoyed a visit at this club while traveling to Chicago. I went to a really fun Zumba class led by Ramon. He had so much energy and as someone that goes to different Zumba classes in other cities while I am traveling, he was really easy to follow. The music was awesome and his choreography was so much fun. If I was a resident, I would come all the time just to go to his class! Wepa! read more

I love this gym! Such a unique layout with plenty of machines, racks, dumbbells...for the small space, well done to everyone who plays a part in organizing the gym. The gym is also to the FFC standard, and is always squeaky clean. They just installed a turf, and got some tires for flipping, and a sled (which I can't recall if it's always been there). They continually make upgrades and make sure their members are happy. The staff is on point and friendly...every other gym I've been to, staff either ignore you or get really awkward...this gym has none of that. Great job to the management for leading a really excellent team. read more

I am surprised to see that I haven't reviewed FFC south loop before. I've been a member for 10 or so years, and it's been a great fit. I've taken many group fitness classes at this location and the instructors have always been friendly and knowledgeable. The staff in general are pleasant and many of them, including Sherry the GM, were really encouraging and supportive of me during my pregnancy. They do a good job of keeping the bikes, stair climbers and other machines clean and in good condition and they recently installed treadmills that you can access your netflix account from! My workouts have got longer as a result : ) I don't do much lifting but my husband says that he has all the weights and machines that he needs to get an excellent workout here. And there are trainers available if you need help. read more

Matt, one of the representatives at FFC - South Loop, is a cool dude who will take the time to understand your fitness goals and will not pressure you into joining. Matt really wants to see if FFC-South Loop is a good fit. Thank you Matt! read more

Great gym! The front desk staff are very nice, the trainers are good, and the gym has an excellent selection of equipment! There is a power rack, squat rack, lifting platform, and a smith machine for squats/deadlifts. They have tons of bumper plates from Rogue to go along with those as well. I actually switch to this gym for. equinox as it was within walking distance and I don't miss the other gym. read more

This is a review of Brad Park, a personal trainer at FFC. I worked with Brad for about four months and, though that isn't long, I saw improvements in strength, body fat composition, endurance and overall appearance. I workout very regularly. In an effort to avoid stagnant exercise routines, about once a year I work with a personal trainer. I've worked with many personal trainers over the years and Brad is among the best. I'm always a bit skeptical working with a new trainer because most trainers work with far less advanced athletes or there's little that they can offer that other personal trainers haven't already taught me. This wasn't the case with Brad. He's worked with a wide range of clients and has vast and deep knowledge of nutrition and training. This became evident within the first few sessions working with Brad. He pushed me harder and helped me rethink my workout routine and nutrition in ways others had not. Best of all, after working with Brad, I now have a workout plan for the next year that I'm confident will enable me continue the gains I experienced working with him. read more

I started going to FFC South Loop a couple months ago after moving to the area, and after trying a few other gyms I can say it is the most pleasant one to go to in the area. It is larger than most other gyms in the city, with more weights and machines to work with and is consistently clean. The staff is also very friendly and helpful. I have been attending personal training sessions with Brad Park for about a month and have been extremely satisfied with the sessions. You can tell he is very knowledgeable about the way the muscles in the human body work and he does a great job of determining areas on your body that aren't working 100% correctly and how to fix them. He is able to create custom exercises to work whichever muscle group you want and I always leave the sessions confident I got the best workout possible. I would Recommend FFC South Loop if you are looking for a quality gym in the South Loop that has every piece of equipment you could want, and would highly suggest requesting Brad Park for the free personal training sessions you get when signing up. read more

I love Fitness Formula. It is very clean and spacious with friendly staff. There are lots of treadmills, ellipticals, cycling and rowing machines. All machines especially treadmills are well maintained. They even have "special marathon" treadmills which are specifically tagged with a sticker for marathoners needing to train. It never feels crowded even during peak times probably because we're paying at least $85/month (single location usage only) for a membership vs Xport/LA Fitness charging $35/month. If you want access to all their eleven Chicago facilities, it is $100/month. You get what you pay for and I'm not complaining about price. There are no shady looking men who bring in their own boomboxes blasting music and leer at women. Everyone is respectful. The gym does a great job of sanitizing on a regular basis and the facility is odor-free. The womens locker room including bathrooms/showers are always clean. I go daily and have witnessed staff constantly cleaning machines and equipment. They practice social distancing by blocking off usage of every other treadmill, elliptical or cycling machine in the main section. You are required to have a temperature check upon entry and must clean your hands using the provided hand sanitizer. You are provided with two towels and individual sanitizer spray bottle to wipe down machines or weights before using. There are separate rooms for Pilates and spin cycling classes. They have a large amount of free weights and weight training machines. Your membership card is downloaded onto your cell phone for easy scanning to enter. read more

I am really disappointed with how FFC is handling the pandemic. They closed for several months and put every membership on free freeze. But then they reopened and allowed for a few more months of a free freeze, if you so chose. BUT..now, as of September 2020, they are putting back a fee for the freeze for three months. I agreed to that but now I see nearly $75 was charged. Nobody ever said anything about taxes or extra fees on top of the $60. I truly feel like I'm being punished for trying to stay safe and keep my family safe. Working out indoors, even with masks, is still very risky and the least they could do would be to be transparent about the actual fees associated with the freeze, I've remained a member over the years out of convenience- it's in the neighborhood. But they keep raising prices while making the space more and more crowded (pre-pandemic). It's just too small and doesn't have enough amenities to be charging what they charge for membership. And now this latest gouge. I'm not happy at all. **UPDATE: FFC responded really fast to correct the excess charges. While I still think freeze fees are unnecessarily punitive during a pandemic, I appreciate the attention to my problem. read more

I'm a former member of this club. Currently, I'm receiving physical therapy at NovaCare inside the club. I get to use the club as part of my therapy and every staff member, whether it be the trainers or cleaning crew are very professional and friendly. It is so refreshing to visit a place of business where you're treated as a valued customer. Also, NovaCare is an excellent rehab facility. This is my second time using this service. read more

The whey protein smoothies here were awesome. The nutty banana shake was delicious. It was filling and not super sweet.

I'm new to the city and decided to join FFC south loop about one month ago. So far I am very pleased with the gym and more specifically my trainer Brad. For what the gym offers I feel like it is decently priced, I especially love the 4 free Personal training sessions you get when you sign up. I've been working with Brad and he has been awesome. He is always on time, really passionate about fitness but more importantly down to earth. I told him my goals and where I have fallen short and he has helped me tremendously. Every workout he does with me is new and challenging which I personally like. I'd definitely recommend him to anyone looking to get back on track with their fitness routine. He is encouraging without being over bearing. :) As far as the gym itself, you can tell it's older but the staff up keep it quite well. It feels clean and organized. I also never feel like it's crazy crowded which is a plus. It's smaller compared to the other FFC locations but if you live in the south loop it's a great gym to join. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 mainly because I feel like it's smaller and not as nice as the other locations I've visited. read more

There is a foam roller here that vibrates but it is never charged so it's instant sadness every time I try to use it #pleasechargethefoamroller #PSA read more

We've belonged to this gym for almost a year now. Membership is pricier than some other local chains. However, the facility and the other FFC locations we've tried are always in much cleaner and more functional shape than most city gyms. The biggest selling point is how reasonable the crowds are during peak hours. While there is still a good amount of traffic, it's not nearly as packed as XSport, and kept in better condition. We've had better workouts and have frequented the gym much more often since we switched. Some other FFC locations have slightly better floor plans and nicer steam rooms, but I'd still conclude this is probably the best all purpose fitness club in the South Loop area. read more

I've tried many gyms throughout Chicago and FFC is by far my favorite. The facility is well maintained and clean. I love the yoga classes! In the past, I've worked with a handful of personal trainers at different gyms and can easily say Brad has been the best. He goes above and beyond - breaking down every muscle and move to help you reach your goals. During the short period of time have already seen changes and improvements to my body. read more

I have been a member of FFC in the South Loop for about five years. During that time, I was introduced to Pilates by Linda Spriggs who is a phenomenal teacher. I take classes with Linda twice a week and can testify that Pilates has changed my body structure. I am much more flexible and my stomach and neck muscles are stronger than ever thanks to Linda. She has been teaching Pilates for more than twenty years and practices what she preaches. She looks phenomenal and is someone that I would highly recommend if your are interested in Pilates. Another person I want to give a shout out to is Bradley Park. He is new to the FFC in the South Loop and I already know his reputation will grow as an excellent MAT (Muscle Activation Therapy) practitioner. I've been having problems with my left shoulder for about three years. I've gone through all kinds of therapy and could not get rid of the pain that was nagging me. I heard about Bradley and decided to give him an opportunity to work on my shoulder to see if it would finally help me get rid of the dull pain in my shoulder. I've had three sessions with Brad and my shoulder is feeling 98% healed. I have a few more sessions to go with Brad but I'm convinced that my shoulder will be back to its healthy self very soon. These are two of the many great people working at FFC in the South Loop. The entire staff there is very helpful and always positive when you speak with them. They create a wonderful environment to workout in. I highly recommend the FFC in the South Loop. read more

Devin H is a new trainer at FFC, but I worked with him for about a year at his last place and I can without a doubt say he is fantastic. When I first started, I could barely make it through a 30 second plank or 20 squats- he was patient and encouraging and built up my stamina to be able to do a 2minute plank and squat up 200lbs. When I found out he was leaving I was so incredibly sad, he is worth the time and investment if you are looking to make a change. He will support you, guide you, challenge you and make your sessions something you look forward to. Devin is truly passionate about what he does and uses his own journey and experiences to help you on yours. If you are ready to put in the work to make a change you can't ask for a better person to support you than Devin. Be sure to schedule with him, it'll be the most challenging session you'll get, but he'll keep you entertained and motivated the entire time. read more

It's been a short period of time since I have been working with my personal trainer, Bree Dowling and now is the time to write her my overdue review of her awesomeness! On day 1 I felt comfortable with her and knew I wanted to work with her. The day I joined the gym she took the time to ask me about my goals, struggles, support structures, and actually listened to me and responded in a most genuine and supportive way. She used this information to design a plan for me and has continued to adjust it based on the progress I have made to date. During some of our first workouts she both demonstrated and educated me on various exercises. I didn't always understand how to do correct movements right away and she was so very patient with me as i learned this new world of weight lifting! Sometimes she would have to explain things to me a couple times and it didn't matter to her. She never made me feel like I was stupid or was bothering her. She actively engages in my sessions and is not a passive observer, something I value in a personal trainer! She is right there with me... correcting my form, adjusting certain exercises based on my response to them, educating me on the why of different exercises and types of sessions, adding variety to our sessions so i not only work different muscle groups, but I don't get bored, not letting me skimp on a movement or give up, and in cheering me on and sharing in both my triumphs and struggles on this fitness journey! I have made tremendous progress and I know what Bree would say..."it's you showing up, doing the work, and lifting the weights, not me", but I can truly say that Bree has been integral to my success!!!! read more

I am relatively new to FFC but have loved my experience so far. Facilities are clean and there are great classes offered each day. The personal training has been my favorite aspect so far. I've been working with Brad Parks a few weeks now and truly feel the investment that he has in helpin me to reach my fitness goals. read more

Great gym overall. Workers are very nice and friendly. The gym has a bunch of different machines and classes that would make it perfect for anyone. It is more expensive than other gyms but you get what you pay for and it's definitely worth it. read more

Every personal trainer I've turned to at FFC South Loop has been amazing and great to work with. Right now, I'm working with Brad Park, who is FFC's MAT (Muscle Activation Technique) expert. I had just returned to FFC after recovering from surgery and knew the new pains I was experiencing (muscles, joints, posture) were the results of my surgical recovery. Brad is great in helping me through my issues. He explained to me how poor muscle use eventually leads to my joint/muscle pains. I'm now a believer of MAT! Brad is enthusiastic and really cares about helping me recover. He's also helping me better understand how to rebuild my muscle and strength as well as lose weight. Both my husband and I have had a great experience with all the folks at FFC South Loop. Another thing I like about FFC South Loop is the locker areas are always being cleaned. I've been at other health clubs and feel grossed out and never used those facilities because I know they don't clean it. But FFC South Loop is constantly keeping the locker areas clean and sanitized. I see it. I smell it. And the people cleaning are courteous and nice! Can't say enough great things about FFC South Loop. read more

Just voted the best gym in Chicago. I certainly agree. They are the best at: a ridiculous, jacked-up enrollment fee and monthly membership fee. lockers with broken locks. makeup stained "clean" towels. pushy personal trainers who try to get you to pay for whatever new promotion is happening. inconvenient class times, so that while classes are included in your membership fee, unless you can devote weird hours to it, you can't actually attend. ignoring customer emails. incompetent and misinformed employees, in particular the staff in charge of membership, and the manager, who gets an A+ in how NOT to treat customers. not actually caring if people get in shape or not. I paid, so I'm still going, but I certainly wish I had done more research. You've been warned. read more

If you are still trying to decide on which gym to join, this email response from Kip should steer you in the right direction (aka away from FFC): Andrea, Thanks for the review. Very professional. There was some misspellings by the way. It sounds like Xsport is a better fit for you and your boyfriend anyway. You seem like that type. Best of luck. Kip A. Horner Member Services Director FFC South Loop Btw, my only misspelling was Napoleon. Get over yourself. Please. Especially since you used incorrect grammar in your response. read more

Why anyone would come to this FFC location is beyond me. What's even more puzzling is why would anyone pay more for a FFC membership to work out here (other FFC locations are great and worth the money) when they can just go to XSports for a much cheaper and nicer gym. Machines are older than other FFC gyms. Locker room felt like my dingy high school locker room. Working out here felt like working out in a basement. This location is definitely below the typical FFC standards. read more

Like many others that were on the fence about stars, I went back and forth between a three and a four. On any given day, I'd say it's worth a four, which was why I ended up choosing that. However, I've definitely felt that it's only a three on several occasions. It's a four because: It's clean Staff is generally very friendly It's never so busy that you can't use machines (Exception: January into February for the lame resolutioners that eventually give up) The cafe serves really delicious and healthy food Classes are decent Free parking Located next to the train Reasonably priced Locker rooms are always stocked with towels, shampoos, lotions, etc. They frequently run specials on packages MOST people are there to work out. Compared to other gyms I've been to in the city, there are far fewer "trixies and meatheads" that just want to be seen as opposed to actually exercise. Angie, Kip and Megan (They are awesome) It COULD be a three because: If there is ever any problem with staff (quitting, firing, sick, etc), it's not always resolved before a class. I've waited for a fill-in instructor to show up for classes without any updates from the staff. Not often, but it's happened. One time a year they tack on an extra fee to your monthly membership (like maybe $60, no biggie) for basic gym updates. Towels, equipment, whatever. This would be fine except that two years in a row now, they've failed to send me the letter about it. They manage to send everything else to the correct address, just not this letter. I think that's BS and they've apologize both years, but if I don't get the letter again next year, I'm raising holy hell. No pool at this location. Would be nice. It's not the gym's fault, but there is this one lady that drives me NUTS because she eye-fucks herself in the mirror every chance she gets. *shivers* That is all, I'll see you at spin tonight. read more

When I lived in the South Loop, I belonged to FFC. In my opinion, it is the best gym in the area. Like most girls, I feel uncomfortable in a gym packed with tons of guys. FFC is a little less 'meaty' than other gyms in the area, and has a good mix of people. The staff is extremely nice, and the trainers were as well. I got a free personal training session for signing up, and I never felt pressured into buying additional sessions. It is a smaller gym, so the personal trainers were always available for questions or advice on working out. The best thing about this gym was the yoga classes. Hannah was one of the teachers who taught yoga at FFC, and thanks to her, I fell in love with yoga. She has a great energy, and her classes were fun, challenging, and relaxing. The cardio classes are also awesome and they really do kick your butt. The only class I took that I didn't love at FFC was pilates, which was taught by personal trainers who didn't do the exercises with the class. Also, they didn't play music in the pilates class, so it was a bit awk. read more

Worst customer service I've ever experienced! Staff does not acknowledge your presence unless you ask to speak to the gm. Lauren or Laura... Whatever her name was--- she is supposedly the customer service and spa manager and sales manager, was extremely rude! I would never recommend this place to anyone. She exemplifies what the meaning of bad service is! Not a surprise why this ffc has the lowest ratings-- it has the worst staff especially Laura the sales manager. read more

I've officially cancelled. It is just too expensive, especially considering the price increases and additional fees. Not enough bang for your buck I tried to negotiate price with them before I left but they just wouldn't do it. To me, that is just poor business. Considering the lack of space and amenities at the South Loop facility compared to others, they really should offer a membership to this location only for a substantially discounted price. Back to gym shopping... read more

I stopped in to get a smoothie, I do not belong to this gym and I did not come for a work out. The girl making the smoothie was on her phone the entire time, dropped the straw on the floor and still tried to give me the straw!!! I had to ask for a different one. She gave a look like, " Oh, yeah! I did just drop it" but never apologized. She was still on her phone and probably didn't want to interrupt her conversation by having to explain why she was apologizing. The smoothie was very good, ( I ordered the wrong one, but still liked it anyway), but not worth the price for the tacky service. read more

I love this gym! And believe me, I'm not one of those gym brats! I can often find the dark side of a rainbow. I joined because of the Pilates experts. Gaining too much weight, I just walked in and joined. Not once did I feel put off because I didn't have a hard body. I took 10 different free classes just to get myself together and see what worked for me... Some of the staff were jerks, but not intentionally. Some were just better for me! Megan is the best spin instructor I've had since I left the southside. As a Black woman from the southside with a child in college, I MUCH prefer R&B, but she mixes it up and I can now pedal through a Brittany Spears song (uugghh.) Lisa is the best Pilates trainer I've EVER met and I cannot believe how flexible I'm becoming. (But, it ain't cheap!) I did not think I would enjoy downtown fitness. But I'm losing weight, I've re-hired my trainer. The place is clean. The people are friendly. The equipment is state-of-the-art. I recommend it to all of my friends! read more