I've been going to this gym for over ten years, and I have no desire to go to any other gym. However, if one of the things you're looking for is a whirlpool that can be depended on to not only whirl but be warm, you should look elsewhere. The temperature in this whirlpool is frequently not even at normal body temperature, and sometimes that is the situation two days in a row. I've brought the issue to the attention of the management many times, and I'm certain many others have done so. It's an unfortunate footnote to what would otherwise be a glowing review for the West Loop FFC location. read more

concern regarding a recent experience with the customer service. Over the past months, I have called several times to make a payment for my next month's membership using my credit card, as the app does not allow me to do so. Each time, I was assisted by staff at the front desk or a manager works call me back later when available However, during my most recent call ( west loop location) , I spoke with someone named Shawn, who was extremely dismissive and unwilling to assist me or even listen to my concern. Despite my repeated requests for help or to speak with a manager at a later time, I was repeatedly told, "manager is not available," and ultimately told that "someone may call me back in a few days due to high volume of calls." I have never before encountered such unhelpful and frustrating customer service. Given that membership pricing increases significantly each year, experiences like this are concerning. If service continues at this level, I may need to reconsider my membership, as other gyms offer both competitive pricing and better customer support. read more

Lied about being about to 'catch' my monthly payment to charge my credit card instead of having the money come directly out on my bank account. Lied to me when they said they would change my 'payment method' to my credit card that they literally already had in file...changed my checking account again... And when I called to get this figured out, I was hung up on mid sentence... Do yourself a huge favor and don't join this location, I wish I never did. Thank god I have a good bank read more

I'm not sure where to begin. I've been a loyal member of FFC since 2012, and this is the first time I've felt compelled to leave a review. Unfortunately, a relatively minor issue has turned into an ongoing frustration due to a lack of responsiveness and follow-through. I reached out to Manager Ryan via email nearly two weeks ago and have yet to receive any response. I'm also currently waiting to hear back from Adrienne, but there's been no update so far. Over the years, I've noticed a steady decline in the overall atmosphere--particularly when it comes to management, front desk staff, and membership services. It often feels like the staff are disengaged and unwilling to assist, which is disappointing for a facility that once set itself apart. At this point, the service experience is no better than what you'd find at a budget gym like Planet Fitness, which is not what I expect from FFC. read more

I'm surprised by the low reviews! I've been an FFC member on and off for years, and the West Loop location is better than ever. The cleanliness is impressive--staff are always on top of it, making the club feel pristine and welcoming. The pools, both indoor and outdoor, are great, even though seating can sometimes be tight on weekends. (it's the West Loop, after all). The staff genuinely care and check in to make sure you're comfortable, which is a nice touch. The weight area can get busy at peak times, but they've recently expanded it, adding more space, and you can always use the group fitness room when classes aren't in session. The real stars here are the instructors. I've taken classes with Keith Kimble, Raven Harris, Lois Miller, Na Le, Michelle Atkins, and Kennedy Sabin, and they're all outstanding. They're knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely uplifting. As I recover from an injury, they offer great modifications while still challenging me. Top class fitness instructors and trainers. I split my time between the South Loop and West Loop locations--the West Loop has a younger vibe, but both spots are filled with friendly people and top-notch service. read more

Huber is a well-rounded massage therapist and a thoughtful, vibrant and knowledgeable Spa professional. The fact that Huber is also a trainer and himself built and healthy, adds value to his therapeutic work. His massage is personalized, rejuvenating and definitely reduces recovery time after a hard workout, my Pilates and swimming. Huber has a healing touch, a soothing yet confident energy that reduces both emotional stress and muscle tension after an exhausting day or week. His massage is a picture of body/mind relaxation and balancing: gentle rubbing, soft long strokes and a variety of techniques such as friction and kneading to get deeper. More than a massage this is a throughout body/sprit wholesome experience. Grateful, Carina read more

I feel compelled to write a review as I am leaving this awesome gym and moving cross country. For the price this gym cannot be beat. It's huge, has a great (albeit slightly cramped) pool deck, the nicest staff in the world from bartenders to trainers, and excellent equipment. Unless you want to spend the $$$ on east bank or lifetime this is just the best upper middle of the road gym. The same price as those athletic clubs (ie west loop athletic club, Lincoln park athletic club etc) but way better facility, more space, and an outdoor pool. It is extra for the pool but it's not a lot by any means. If I had one critique it would be to go lighter on the cardio machines in the future as they seem to take up a lot of space and I think heavy cardio is (maybe finally) a thing of the past and weights seem to be more in demand. The see through bags required at the pool are a little puzzling to me as it would be quite easy to determine if someone brought in like a six pack (which is what I assume they want to prevent). But I digress... an excellent gym and I certainly won't get another one like this for the price. Sad to leave and would recommend to anyone in the area read more

I love the pool at West Loop FFC. Although It is super frustrating to deal with the lack of seating available to members. Parking lot states it has a 6'6 clearance, my car is only 6'2 - yet as I drove into it my car hit the roof. I mentioned this to the front desk and asked if there were other parking options, all they did was make a remark regarding my situation they thought I wouldn't hear. It's a bummer that only the Lincoln park location offers a garage that accommodates for "oversized vehicles". Which is just any truck ever. read more

Out of all gyms there is in Chicagoland. Overall FFC is the most safe, clean and super duper clean. Than any other gyms in the city. FFC is taking the highest precautions ever before. When entering into any FFC, yes you are still greeted with the warmth from the front desk as well they will take your temperature and ask the cdc questions. You are welcome to take the cleaning bottle, and black towel to wipe the area you have touches while working out. I like it because it's a big health check. Going up to the workout area, everyone is spread out from one another. Everyone is social distances and is wearing a Mask. People are cleaning there area constantly. There are people who clean the area constantly as well. All the class are on the APP, so you can register easy. As well there is a On-demand one too, where there is previous class record and live ones too. Studio, everyone is social distance, the instructor and the students are still wearing mask. There are cute little markers where people can stand at. If you have an weak immune, or something. I would have to say this gym FFC is the best. It's clean, safe and less worry on my health. This gym is 100% covid free zone! There is free parking, if you don't want to walk outside you can walk all indoor, lockers are there, indoor and outdoor pool. read more

Switching over to FFC 3 months ago is one of the best decisions I've made in a long time. I take my health and wellness very seriously, and so does FFC. I've worked out at Equinox, Barry's, Solidcore, you name it, I've been. FFC is different because of their people. Alejandro Coronel, one of the personal trainers at this location has changed my life! I came in with a back injury and mobility issues as long as your Sunday Laundry list. He listened to my challenges and goals, and came up with a workout that has improved my quality of life. I am stronger, healthier and mobile because of his programming. He kicks my butt every day. He has amazing energy and is motivating to be around. If you're not working out with Alejandro you're missing out. I went from not wanting to pay for a trainer to adding more and more sessions on each month because I'm seeing results. He focuses on functional movements with a touch of HIIT and powerlifting. His programming is always different and invigorating to do. If you want results and want to feel good at the same time HIRE ALEX! read more

Fitness Formula Clubs West Loop - Alex making me sweat during an awesome workout! - Gyms Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't use that many equipment but the Elliptical is pretty much in my rotation on every visit. It's so frustrating that half of them don't work properly. I feel like I'm constantly playing musical chairs with them because it's hard to keep track of the broken ones, so after a few minutes, I realize I need to switch. There are occasions where I'm on a roll and I end up switching 3 times in 10 minutes. That's 10 whole minutes I could've spent properly working out and instead I'm worrying over the equipment. On a related note....the TV stations on the equipment either don't turn on, or the channels are completely off. I like the idea of printing out a menu for the TV channels, but it loses its purpose when they are wrong. I imagine this requires a reboot and someone to reprogram the channels. Please invest some time to fix these so we can concentrate on working out and enjoying the amenities properly. read more

Let me just preface my review by saying that first and foremost I hate the gym. I don't hate to work out or stay in shape, I just hate the gym. I think I really should live somewhere I can exercise outside year-round without wearing 50 layers in the winter months. Main reasons I belong to the gym at PT: (1) it's convenient, it's close to school (2) it's cheap, my school gets a discount, otherwise I'd think this was a rip-off (3) it has a pool with 4 lap lanes that's kept in decent shape - which is nice because I don't play well with others That said if you're looking for a state of the art gym with fancy machines, the latest craze classes and a lot of beautiful people - this is not your place (try FFC or East Bank). Most of the members seem to be building residents or students. This gym is pretty basic, but it gets the job done. They have classes, machines, free weights, an outdoor track, outdoor hoops and a decent amount of treadmills and ellipticals. The classes are included in the cost of your membership which is a plus. The locker rooms are actually pretty nice. They're spacious, clean and have plenty of toiletries in case you forget your own. Bottom line, this place gets the job done, if you're looking for something with a lot of bells and whistles (TVs on each treadmill, socials, trainers that actually look like they work out, nutritionists, etc.) you'd be better off somewhere else. But if you actually just want to do your thing and get out, this is probably a good fit for you. read more

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

Pretty sad All the feedback people have given in regards to the gym being too hot (that has not just come for me) and The gym takes no initiative to make things better. As I was in the gym on a Friday afternoon cancelling my membership, I listened to two people complaining how hot it was while they were trying to talk to the front advertisement company offering freebies. Sad!! So sad! I went ahead and signed up to go to equinox- which two of the locations I've been to in the city, on three separate occasions, have had the gym at 68°; one time was 66°. I guess you truly get what you pay for! Side note: The gym temperature set at 72 which is what I keep my house temperature at read more

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Update: Nothing has changed. The locker rooms smell and steam rooms are actually gross and I feel disgusting walking/sitting in there. The machines are so dusty and dirty, at one point I noticed a pill underneath a machine that had been sitting there for months after the comment I made about no cleaning being done. I've attached photos of how noticeably gross the gym has gotten and the lovely things I've found; toenails in the pool, algae on the sides, standing water, ripped/worn equipment, hair all over the turf that stuck to me as I sat on it, and what I can't attach is the SMELL that the gym now has. It smells unhygienic, that's the best way I can put it. The employees that they hired to clean, do not clean. A majority of the time I see the staff standing and talking to each other or barely pretending to clean. There is maybe one new guy that actually cleans. The front desk staff are unpleasant whenever a manager isn't standing directly behind them, and the trainers are not so personable either while they stare at you during your workout. This is supposed to be a luxury gym and for over $100 a month it's ridiculous the dive this place has taken. Seriously take your money elsewhere. read more

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It's about time I write a review for my favorite gym. This is my third time being a member of FFC starting with membership in the south loop location and twice joining at the west loop as work locations switched. I have also been a frequent member of the health club donation association. Started young with the credit scam rip off at Bally's, then got all excited about lifetime, thought LA fitness was a steal, joined the fancy northwestern medical school gym, the JW Marriott gym and now back home at FFC. Hopefully after the first nonsense paragraph, I have built up some credibility as I try to answer for some of the negative reviews. 1) cancellation is a pain: Yeah well, it's the same issue all over the industry friends and FFC is not immune to it. That said, if you pay attention to all the membership material you sign and cancel, you will not have half the problems you claim to have. 2) high signup: They really play hardball on the signup. I have had to pay every time I have rejoined even when I left for cause(relocation etc). They do now give your money back in FFC bucks if you show up the gym 30 times in the first 90 days. They are constantly trying to improve,clean for a large busy gym, have several locations in the city and the loop. My favorite thing about FFC are the awesome classes. I have realized that the only way I can motivate myself to workout is via group exercise classes and FFC has by far the best options with amazing instructors. Chisel, loaded, 312, yoga option and modern mat are my favorites. I can go on and on but I'm truly in love with FFC because it's a fitness club, I look forward to go to everyday. #trainingforlife read more

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It's really difficult to find exactly what FFC offers. - free parking - loaded locker room with free lockers, towels, steam room, clean showers with soap, hair dryers, plenty of room, weight scale, and clothes steamer - pool (indoor and outdoor - although if you try to use the outdoor pool during peak times you are almost always out of luck at finding a chair by the pool) - cool and interesting classes at convenient times with great teachers Also friendly people to greet you, and staff around to assist with the occasional jammed locker. So that's why I love it. But here's my beef: I wish they offered more classes and were able to charge more for the people who use the classes and less for the people who don't. This way they would be able to provide what people want without others having to pay for it. Also, their marketing efforts are a little aggressive. My wish is that they would offer more spin and yoga classes during the week around 7am and on the weekends around 11am. I honestly wouldn't mind paying more for this but I know that MANY people are just there for the regular gym machines. Take it from someone who CANNOT find all of the perks of FFC at a regular spin or yoga studio... I've got it good but I just wish there were even more classes. read more

No mask enforcement. About half of the people this am wore them and the other half couldn't be bothered. I asked if there was a mask policy and the response was that they aren't allowed to enforce it. Update: Your response is frustrating. It's a private club and there is a mask mandate. Enforce it like every other rule required to make a health club clean and safe. read more

All FFC locations are nice in their own right - West Loop is no exception. The only downside to this location in my opinion is the layout. The locker rooms are all the way in the back and weren't intuitive to find. Also I wish they had another wider space other than the main one where all the weights are. Sometimes that space is occupied and it feels like everyone is on top of each other and it's hard to find space. Other than that, I'm a fan of this location. Lots of equipment and I've liked the classes I've attended here. The teachers keep them interesting and challenging. I really like how they structure the class to go at your own pace so everyone gets a good workout in. The staff was also friendly and helpful when I asked questions. I also find this location conveniently located - the French Market is near, as are the Clinton station, and many offices. It's perfect if you work in the area and need more than just your apartment gym! read more

Long time member...joined when it first opened up nearly a decade ago. Gym is good. Layout is a bit odd, but that's dictated by the space. Pool is nice and gets crowded during summer. Disappointed in the cancelling process. We are temporarily not in Chicago, so membership fees were on hold when they reopened. However, we still had to pay the monthly fees for our rental locker. They agreed to pause that for two months but not as long as our membership was paused. Given that, we decided to cancel membership. I notified them of this the third week of August, and that we would be in to clear the locker by the end of the month. When I showed up to collect the stuff in my locker, I was surprised to see it was already cleaned out. And no one could find where my stuff went (headphones, workout shoes, toiletries). It seems like they gym threw them away. The manager on duty apologized and said she would call me back once she talked with the operations manager. That call never came. Not a good way to end a nearly decade long relationship. When life returns to normal, I may need to find another gym solution. read more

FFC gives a measly 1-day trial, after which I was very skeptical. I should've gone with my gut and not joined, but I was desperate for a gym and thought it had to be worth it. The $200 initiation and ~$100 monthly fees are absolutely ridiculous, considering the quality is worse than what you'd find at a park district. The showers are routinely closed for maintenance. The ones that aren't have extremely low water pressure and 2-in-1 shampoo/bodywash combo. The locker room (and gym floor) layout is poorly designed, and it feels like you're on top of people even early in the morning and during non-peak hours. The machines are constantly broken and I usually have to try 2+ before finding one where audio, tv, and exercise settings function properly... an "out of order" sign would be nice!! Certain classes are okay, others are a complete waste of time. Pros: no commitment (Yay! Quitting two months in!), outdoor pool looks nice ($20 guest fee), the trainer I saw for my initial free session seemed knowedgeable. Wouldn't waste the time or energy on this place! read more

I joined FFC in 2014. It was a comfortable gym with a wide variety of equipment, and good locations. I signed up for the Gold Coast location, the West Loop location, and the Union Station location. I enjoyed the vibe of the gym. In 2017, I felt that the service had dropped dramatically, especially at the West Loop location. Their standard for cleanliness was not keeping pace with the number of members. When I went to the gym, I noticed that usually one out of three towels had some weird yellow or black stuff on it. I saw people cleaning their shoes with the towels and others sneezing into the towels. Towels on the floor were a frequent sight. The steam rooms and showers were extremely slippery with soap water. The water fountains were stained. The gym was very crowded around the noon hour and after five PM, which made health problems even worse. This is my first review, because I usually don't write reviews. However, I think FFC has gone too far. I feel that it is my responsibility to let others know so that they can avoid running into a similar situation. In early October of 2018, I took a shower at the West Loop location. They had put bleach inside the Shampoo bottle. Thinking that it was shampoo, I put bleach all over my hair and body, which began to burn. Before I realized it wasn't shampoo, the bleach went inside my eyes. I double-checked with the gym manager and she confirmed that there was bleach inside the shampoo bottle. I had to visit my doctor to make sure everything was ok. The general manager at the West Loop location never even offered an apology. I emailed their head of operation/general manager, and they offered me three months' worth of free dues and claimed it was a very "generous" offer, even though it didn't even cover my doctor's fee. They never took it seriously or found how it had happened. One manager even hinted that it might be someone targeting me... Those kinds of replies just left me feeling that it would happen again. It would be just matter of time, I figured, so I decided to let people who were considering signing up with them to know how my experience has been. It might not be a good choice for you to join FFC, and you should probably reconsider. I hope my horrible experience can help you avoid a similar occurrence. I have filed a complaint with the BBB as well as the public health department. I will update this post when I get any updates. Thanks, read more

If you're looking for a gym in the West Loop that offers a bit of everything is probably the best option if you're on the "east side" of the West Loop. If you visit this location you'll find plenty of equipment, friendly staff, an "ok" class schedule, and adequate locker rooms. The location itself is pretty nice, in the summer time you'll find an outdoor pool (in addition to the indoor pool that is open year-round). They have split the space into basically 2 areas for cardio, 3 weights/machine focused areas, 1 multipurpose area open for use at all times, a spin theater, a multipurpose classroom, and finally a heated "Mind Body" aka yoga room. All of the equipment is either new or in good repair that I can see. The indoor pool also has a hot tub which is available year round as well. There are plenty of showers in the locker rooms, a steam room in each locker room (I'd assume.. I can't attest to the women's room). Staff is pretty nice and helpful as needed, if you are interested in personal training they have plenty of options for you. The group fitness instructors have varying levels of experience (and enjoyment) - you'll just need to try them out to find your favorites. The only negatives I've found in my time at FFC West Loop is that the locker room can be a bit crowded at times ( mostly that post workout rush) but usually isn't too bad. I've never had trouble finding cardio equipment, spaces in classes, etc. read more

Fitness Formula Clubs West Loop - Spin theater holds probably 35 bikes total 2 rows around most of the room, bikes are the Keizer M3 bike. - Gyms Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Outdated and not user friendly. First, they do not monitor people on the equipment, so you gets lots of muscle bros who sit on equipment and look at their phones for 15-30 minutes, because they want their reps or something. When I asked someone looking at his phone if I could use his equipment, he became hostile. Also, the music is very loud at night, and the design is terrible - they have these very bright lights shining in your face. Maybe some designer thought this was cool but it's annoying it work out with a bright light in your face. The Club asks for feedback but always ignores input. It's just for show. So - you get some basic equipment but in general, not a good experience. read more

Honestly really surprised by some of the reviews here. FFC as a chain is really great and offers a bit of a unique experience and vibe at each location befitting the neighborhood while keeping the core aspects consistent. As for the West Loop location, I have to say I think it's one of my favorites in the entire chain. It has a nice open layout, a comprehensive range of equipment and machines and one of the better schedules for group fitness of all locations. The group fitness offerings are great - they have an incredible range of options and their instructors are top notch. For the level of quality and range you get for the price of your membership, there's truly no comparison with the boutique options around town which would cost you a months membership in less than a week. The facility is always kept clean and is well tended too and one of the things I like about FFC is that the invest in their facilities annually (there is an annual member investment cost but this is made clear up front and flagged the month before it's deducted. No surprises.). Supplies are always well stocked and I love the added touch of the chilled menthol (eucalyptus?) towels. The outdoor rooftop pool is a fantastic benefit as it's a great scene/atmosphere with a bar (and there's an indoor cafe for food too) that you'd pay a pretty penny elsewhere in the city. For the record, I've gone here for well over a year and NEVER once even thought about the temperature let alone been as dramatic as a couple posters here about the heat. Always comfortable and especially the studios are very comfortable (except for the hot yoga or Formula 94 classes geared toward a hot environment). It's always important to keep in mind the cost and the adage, you get what you pay for. FFC is probably in the middle of the road as far as a monthly fee, but when you consider you get access to multiple locations with the range of services, classes and service you get here for less than $100, you're definitely getting a great value! read more

FFC is by far one of the nicest gyms that I have ever been a member of. Pros: great location, free parking, open 24 hrs during the week, great classes w friendly instructors, high quality weight machines that are usually in working order, nice locker rooms with showers & steam room, available towel, and indoor/ outdoor pool w bar & restaurant. Cons: 1. I usually go to the gym in the evening after the after-work rush subsides and the gym is often dirty. Used Rags & paper towels scattered all over the floor, weight equipment often scattered all over the place. Huge annoyance is when I have to spend 5 min searching for a handle bar only to uncover that it has been left in another room. 2 . The monthly membership dues increase year over year. My spouse and I were on a family plan and paid roughly $70 a month when we signed up, cut to 11 yr later & we were paying around $200 a month. Most organizations decrease your monthly dues/fees as a reward for your loyalty but not FFC. 3. The billing department is a nightmare. I actually cancelled my membership due to a billing error. I was billed twice in one month in error. As previously mentioned, I was already paying $200 monthly, so my acct was charged twice totalling in a $400 fee. Thankfully I have financial means however if I did not, this error could have led to my rent being paid weeks late or something. I reached out to the billing department regarding the error and they were unbelievably rude. 1ST of all, they initially didn't believe me and requested that I speak to them in person w a recent bank statement in hand. Hmmm can't you just refer to your billing system??? I had to leave work early to get a print out of my acct from the bank and then go to FFC to speak to the manager Semona...Who by the way was unbelievably rude and condescending and spoke to me as if I weren't an idiot. I spoke to Simona, showed her the identical transactions on my bank statement & she rudely told me that one of the transactions would simply fall off in a few days. I explained to her that the transactions were not pending and that had already posted to my acct & she just rolled her eyes and told me to come back in a few days if nothing changed. Cut to a few days later, the second transaction did not fall off my acct. I had to leave work again early go back to FFC for a 2nd to finally get the fee refunded... Which by the way took over a week and a half to receive. The billing error it self was not a huge deal, stuff happens right? What upset me and the reason why I canceled my membership was directly due to how I was spoken to by their manager Simona. I don't know if it was the color of my skin that bothered her or if it was simply the fact that I pointed out the error but she was so condescendingly rude to me that I just could not believe it. Just an FYI... I am a freaking MD... I know how to read a freaking bank statement... So thank you FFC for treating me like I was an uneducated uninformed racial stereotype. FFC definitely lost a good customer read more

Pretty average gym experience, definitely have the access to various facilities and equipment. Pretty clean for the most part. Very disappointed to watch "stretching areas" continuously disappear with no additional stretching areas. And the "added" area near the locker rooms is no where close or equivalent to the space, mirrors, and seclusion offered in the previous stretching area near the entrance. The "added" area is just where they put rollers and mats, it's directly in a walking path. Sad. Stretching is just as important as all this equipment. read more

Gym is whatever. Standard gym. Far better ones in Chicago if you are willing to pay. My problem is that I cancelled my membership by walking in on the 18th and received an email on the 23rd from Austin the "Membership Experience Manager" stating, that because I quit after the 15th, I will be billed again on the 3rd. Over two weeks away. It now make sense why they chase you down to get your ACH info, it is not to help you avoid losing time in case you lose your card, it is so they can steal one extra month of fees. There was no reason cited aside from it is our policy. They legit sit there and say it is our policy to charge you for no services rendered. Always felt the gym and staff was sub par but now I will never recommend this place to anyone. I had to cancel the ACH and pay my bank $30 to do so. Well worth it. One last note. I had switched gyms 5 months ago and had nit been in, they do not let you cancel over the phone and I could not make it there for a while read more

This is a great gym in the West Loop. The club is always clean and their equipment is in very good shape. They also have a great pool for the summer time. Unfortunately, because it's a nice gym in a great location this gym is always slammed with people if you try to go after work. I hate coming here between 5:30-6:30pm and having to wait for a machine or bench; but other than that it's a great gym. read more

SO I finally bucked up and joined a gym. I have to say, I really like the FFC's. This one in particular is new, nice, and clean. The layout is a little weird, but you get used to it fast. The pool is great and they promise to keep it open as long as its nice. There is parking around the corner in a garage...first two hours are free. The free personal training sessions are a joke. My person didnt weigh me or check my body fat or measure me...nice, glad I will be able to tell if I am making progress. Dont get me wrong, I dont want to do any of those things, but isnt that how you measure success??? I was actually considering buying some sessions if they were good...alas, no dice. I wouldnt waste your time. There are fitness classes, which I havent been to yet, but plan on going in the very near future. Tons of equipment and never a wait for anything. Not to mention, you get to go to like 3 other locations. How can you hate?? read more

Fitness Formula Clubs West Loop - First annual volleyball tourney ;) - Gyms Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm a resident of Presidential Towers, so getting a membership at FFC felt like an easy and convenient choice. Their entry fees are HIGH: I think I spent roughly $400 on initiation fees and first month's dues... and that was when they were running a "deal" on initiation fees. As a new member, you get the opportunity to "earn back" your initiation fee through active participation in personal training sessions. I use quotations because you don't get your money back, you get FFC Bucks that have to be used at the facility. At the end of the personal training, they try to massively up-sell you on expensive packages. The facilities are pleasant and generally clean, except for a persistent leak in part of the open space. There are ample cardio machines, though they're packed together in a way that felt claustrophobic to me. I love lifting weights and felt that the weight room could be twice its present size in order to better accommodate patrons. +2 points for having an in-house juice and sandwich bar. +3 points for a packed schedule of varied exercise classes. Buyer beware: many people have commented that they charge extra if you cancel your membership. There's a clause in the contract that says if you don't cancel by the 15th of the month, you're also charged for the following month. Adds insult to injury when you try to leave a gym and they charge you double to get out! read more

One of my favorite FFC memories comes from former group fitness instructor (current FFC Lincoln Park trainer) Jacob Greathouse. I pointed to a small fluffy area under my belly button and complained that it never seemed to go away. He said that we all have areas like that. He asked, "Are you healthy?" Yes I am. Then he asked, "Does your body do what you want it to do?" Yes it does. Then he encouraged me to simply love my body and take care of it. FFC is more than a gym. It's a lovely place to go for self-improvement, stress relief, and healthy living. What's nice about FFC is the quality. You go and don't have to worry about anything because everything is already there. Forgot to shave your armpits? NP! They've got razors in the locker rooms. Towel? No biggie! They have stacks of them for you to take and even cool ones soaked in eucalyptus water. Heck - even if you forgot workout clothes you can buy some. There's even a cafe for protein shakes, food and... wait for it... alcohol. Gosh, I'm not even mentioning the spa. What I really love about FFC is that they have workout options for everyone. They've got programs and competitions for people who need that sort of goal. They've got ActivTrax in case you want to print and record a customized workout. They have clean and well-equipped gym and pool for independent or personal training workouts. Finally (my favorite) the group fitness classes are amazing. I've gone to the West Loop location specifically for some group fitness classes (following Jacob around between locations while also trying out other instructors). The employees (as with many of the FFC locations) are friendly and well-qualified for their jobs. They have degrees in health and fitness related fields so they know what they're doing. Their passion shows through in their eagerness to help members be their best. read more

The pool was under constant maintenance during the 2 years I was a member, and quite often without notice. The locker rooms are a dump. They began debiting member bank accounts in July without any formal notice and they are unapologetic about it. Not good management, they really don't care about their members. They are just trying to grab your dollars. read more

I was a member of FFC West Loop for 3 years. I don't understand the bad reviews. I found the gym to be everything I wanted: indoor pool, hot tub, outdoor pool, outdoor bar by the pool, a spinning room with upbeat instructors, classes (including classes on the weekends) like yoga/spinning/zumba/ab blast and more, spacious locker rooms with showers, saunas, healthy smoothie/food stand, pilates room, ample equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, weight machines and free weights). We stopped our membership because I started a new job that had a free gym in the building, but it was nothing compared to FFC West Loop. We didn't run into any significant issues when we were quitting our membership; quite the contrary. While we did have to pay for an extra month because we tried to end our membership towards the end of a month, it wasn't a big deal because we still lived nearby and still used the gym for that month of overlap. We were told we were just about to get charged the annual renewal fee, so our representative updated our account so that we weren't charged that fee. Overall we found FFC West Loop to be fair and a great place to work out. read more

FFC is the poster child for why gym's get a bad wrap. From the moment they get their sticky little fingers on your "new member sign up fee" they shamelessly persist digging deeper and deeper into your pockets. I'm the type of person that wants to go to the gym, work out, and leave. I don't need to hear about the benefits of spending thousands of dollars on a personal trainer, or about the upcoming activities that require me to spend even more than I already do at your facility. Bah hum bug. While the facilities are without a doubt nice, I just don't agree with their business practices. They do not care about their members, rather see them as walking bundles of cash. Trying to leave FFC is like trying to break up with pestering stalker. They continued to charge me for months, and would send me letters saying my credit card was declined, thus I would have to pay additional fees, none of which was even true. FINALLY, 2+ months and several threatening emails later, they finally cleared my account and set me free from my imprisonment within their company. DO NOT JOIN THIS GYM. I have been a member at chain gyms including LA Fitness and Lifetime Fitness, as well as some smaller gyms, and have never experienced such annoyance and lack of professionalism anywhere else. Pathetic! read more

The gym is great, great machines, clean, big. However my biggest grip and only reason I'm giving it 3 stars is they sell too many memberships. If you go afterwork, it's almost impossible to get on some weight machines. Cardio machines are easier, never had problems with treadmills. But the stair machine called the "gauntlet" is sometimes very difficult to get. The price is reasonable but they do charge an annual "additional month payment" so they can fix the gym up. But there's nothing you can do to fix up how crowded it is. The other big issue with it being so crowded is the locker rooms. The men's locker room you can barely move if you go during the busy times. And the larger lockers are almost always taken while the smaller lockers are too small. As such, I have to use 2 smaller lockers and split up my clothes. As for classes I've only taken one spin class. I was not impressed with the instructor. I think she was new to the club. But she showed up a few minutes late and wasn't personable. I used to workout at Equinox and the instructor would stop by your bike during class to make sure everything was going well. Here she didn't even look at me and didn't seem real enthusiastic. But for other classes I cannot attest as this is only one. On the other hand the weekends are the BEST time to workout. The gym is emptier and much easier to navigate. read more

Deceptive business practices to the extreme, bordering on bait and switch - they promise one rate but upon your year anniversary, they charge you almost double as a onetime rate increase -- effectively making your membership cost ~10% more for the year. Scummy, to say the least. Moreover, calling the club gained no help -- one can't even cancel over the phone. This sort of thing is EXACTLY why gyms get a bad name. Note: now it has been *months* since this review and the reply shown and not once did anyone reach out as the club's reply promised. I don't really care because it's clear they don't care - I just find it all kind of sad. read more

I am a swimmer and the pool is sooooooooooooo cold, I have to clear the ice (like Lake Michigan in the winter). I have inquired about the pool temp several times and I am assured that the temp is 80 degrees. Uh.... Nope. I regularly look at their thermometer in the pool and it ranges from 74-76 degrees. It's great for polar bear swims but way too cold for this mere mortal. They've posted signs in the last couple of weeks indicating issues with the pool heaters. The pool in Oak Park is a wonderful temp---- why can't that happen here.... I certainly pay enough as a member. read more

FFC, where membership means something. HA! MAJOR JOKE. I had a membership at the North and Sheffield location for 3 years (as long as I've lived in this city), back when it use to be Crunch, then it converted to FFC. I moved to a new apartment in May, and my membership was set up to terminate at the end of July (there is a long lead time required due to timing of the payments). The West Loop location was suppose to open in July, and I would have a couple weeks to check out the gym and determine if it was worth me paying for an extra membership even though my new high-rise already has a gym in it (I heard a rumor a couple of the class instructors who I loved from the North and Sheffield location were going to teach classes there, which is the ONLY reason I would pay for another membership). If I decided to keep my membership I could notify them before the end of July and it would not be terminated. Well, it turned out the West Loop gym did not open until August. I visited the location the SECOND DAY it was open and explained that I had a membership for 3 years and wanted to continue my membership, and they told me that I would have to pay the enrollment fee because I was considered a new member. I asked to speak with the general manager, and the first thing he said to me is that he had the ABILITY to waive the enrollment fee, but that he wouldn't (way to throw it in my face buddy). In his opinion, if he made the exception for me he would have to make the exception for everybody, to be "fair". I explained that I understand if you want to make people who let their membership expire for several months have to pay a re-enrollment fee, but I consider my situation unique- the gym opened a month late and I let my membership expire for less than a month. Still, he wouldn't budge. If this is the way they say thanks for being a member for 3 years at a club "where membership means something", then I say no thanks!!!! read more

Don't even think about this club if you want place to swim. Pool was just shut down by the city after failed inspection. Has been out of service for over a week. Ask the staff and they will tell you pool is under repair, they lie alot. The people who take care of the pool are idiots. The water is like a bathtub, they don't keep water circulating and just incessantly add chemicals until it becomes intolerable to go in the water. The pools is "spillover" pool with filters on the side. However the staff does not keep the 4 ft deep pool filled to the top because the deck gets wet, and as non swimmers, this bothers them. A "spillover" pool has to be filled to function. Result, pool water that is always dirty. Further, when there the water is low, your hands hit the bottom the pool when doing laps. read more

Ya'll some tough reviewers.... geez. I've been an FFC member for almost three years now - first joining their Oak Park location, then moving to the OLD West Loop location, during remodeling I tried out the Union Station location and now I'm back at West Loop. If you've been to one FFC, you've been to them all - high-end bathrooms with fantastic showers, shitty shampoo/shower gel/conditioner, free towel service, decent design aesthetic, new machines with TVs, etc. The West Loop location got a major overhaul when FFC bought the 'gym' that used to reside there. (And if you were a member of the PT gym and are complaining about the FFC gym now, you might want to check yourself because that PT gym was like a high school weight room gone wrong.) There are enough cardio machines in this place for the entire West Loop to get their heart rates up. The weight floor looks substantial (though I've yet to use it) and the pool is top-notch. Not to mention they'll eventually have the outdoor pool/lounge area constructed and there'll be a fire pit, lounge areas and snacks. (And for the comments about FFC saying the pool would be open soon - but it's clearly WAY still under construction - that's not really FFC's fault but more likely the contractor. Think about it - construction projects are rarely, if ever, completed on time.) Also on the premise is a Protein Bar which I have fallen in love with. Their food is healthy-healthy and their prices reasonable. Plus the staff is super friendly. Cheers, PB! My one complaint would be the layout - can't lie or sugarcoat this one: it sucks. Walking through a cardio area to get to the lockers which are hidden like Lucky's Charms..... it's just not very flow-friendly. But whatever, I'm there to burn off last night's calorie intake, not meditate in the middle of sweating bodies. read more