I'm typically here every Monday through Thursday in the mornings because my fitness coach teaches group fitness classes and also does personal training. The space is perfect for people who want to do personal training or teach their own classes. They have a parking lot behind the building for paid parking, street parking, and even access to the bank parking lot early in the morning before it opens. The facility has quiet bathrooms with showers and a lower level with additional training areas and fitness equipment. It's an ideal spot for someone who prefers supporting a locally owned business instead of major chains like Planet Fitness or Snap. This gym really offers a unique experience, especially being a Chicago-based business! read more

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I had to cut out quite a bit of my review as it was to long to Yelp. Here are the highlights: - Member etiquette and Cleanliness: I can't tell you how many times someone takes something I'm using when my stuff is sitting right there OR members use the benches as a personal locker for personal items while they aren't using it for a workout. This even happens when trainers are on the room and sometimes it's the trainers themselves! Trainers also eat warm meals in the gym so you have to smell their meal while you work out. Often barbells and plates are not put back at all, even with a trainer present, dumbbell shelf is a mess. Crumpled paper towel, piles of lifting chalk, empty bottles, remnants of the awful yoga mats litter the ground. No in person management present just trainers, I've never seen so many trainers in one gym before. The lack of in person management shows. Sometimes there's no TP in the bathroom for example in the winter the metal stairs will not be shoveled for snow or salted for ice. A couple of times I have slid on the ice. There's not even a bag around for members to do it themselves. -The Actual Space: is quite limited. The downstairs free weight area is rather small and if even 5 people are down there the place feels full and this is actually a recent improvement from the upstairs room. It's also spread out over 3 main rooms on two floors so there's a lot of walking to get to different equipment and for many you cant switch without going down a flight of stairs. The free weight area feels dungeon like with no windows and a low ceiling. There are windows in the bjj area you can kind of see from the doors but it's not the same. It feels like your lifting in a basement (and you are). It also smells like rubber to the point I've gotten headaches and has poor ventilation. It also amplifies sound so it's overwhelming with trainers, music etc going. The vibe feels more like your lifting in your friends home gym in his unfinished basement with equipment he got at a garage sale then working out in a professional facility. The space itself isn't well maintained either. The fire extinguisher upstairs has broken glass that's sharp and jagged just chilling for over a year now (was like that before I joined), plates and dumbbell's are left out, or put back incorrectly, piles of lifting chalk, drinks etc.. can be found on the floor. Members don't rerack anything (which is true for every gym in the Hyde park area). There's some cube drawers and a shoe rack but no locker room. So, you're carrying all your stuff with you throughout your workout since you can't lock anything up. There is a bathroom with a single shower and toilet in a separate room. -The Equipment: There is an overall lack of machines. There is almost a full set of leg machines but is missing calf. The only upper body machines are a chest press and assisted dip/pullup and cable machines. No machines or abs, arms, shoulders, other muscles like you would see in other gyms. There are 4 squat racks, 1 smith machine, 1 leg press, 1 set of dumbbells (5 pound increments) so minimal to the amount of people using them. No preacher curl rack, no deadlift racks. You'll use the 2 main squat racks for most of our workout and so does everyone else. The equipment is a mismatch of quality. 2 of the squat racks are really nice like you would expect in a professional gym. 2 are small and wobbly like you would expect in a home basement gym. The machines are a mismatch of brand and colors. It feels like all the equipment was purchased used at a garage sale. Not a big deal if it was maintained well but it's not. Not all machine plates are in pounds. There are not enough weight plates to go around. If someone's going heavy on the leg press good luck on a squat rack. Similarly, there are not enough barbells downstairs. There is one barbell that's broken and has been laying on the floor for months. If one person is deadlifting, there are not enough for the racks. They are also inconsistent some are rubber, some are iron, some have handles. Your stack will always look lopsided. Only 1 pair of 2.5 plates in the whole gym. The equipment isn't in great shape. Bent out of shape barbells, some adjustable benches are bent at certain holes making them dangerous. Clips don't work and plates slide off. -My biggest issue: large group fitness classes from about 5am to 9am most days as well as evening prime time after work (think). This means if you're a lone wolf free weightlifter like me who goes in the morning your competing with sometimes 10 to 15 other people in a group class. You won't get a squat rack, all the dumbbell's are taken etc.. It's loud and chaotic and you'll adjust your planned workout every day to take whatever is left over. -The gym cost is $75 a month, up to $40 more than chain gyms in the area which are as low as $10 - $35 and I just can't justify the cost for what you get. read more

I took a tour the other day and was dismayed. The gym fits its name, it's "a space," NOT an actual gym. Just a space where equipment has been thrown in and people can come workout. Has the vibe of an apartment gym rather than a professional fitness center. it's literally just a space. Since I am not a student or MAC resident, I would be paying $80/mo plus fees. Not worth the price if you ask me... the equipment was worn out, there was a balance beam falling off the wall downstairs, the floors in the basement weren't clean. The gym seems clean generally, but everything is just not up to par with the price... there were also no towels or sanitary wipes or sprays anywhere. Also no lockers. Even in gyms with lockers, your stuff is at risk of being stolen. I can't work out in peace knowing that my stuff could easily be taken by mistake or at will. All they had was slide-out storage cubes and a small coat rack. So overall, I was not impressed. What you see does not match the pictures and definitely doesn't match the price. It's best for students and people who live in the building. All the 5-star reviews are from it's old location when it was on 51st street, seems like it was better quality back then. read more

This place is attached to my building the residents are waken up from a good sleep because of the loud noises as early as 5am! The woman is not nice when she's contacted about this. She tells you to reach out to the building management. This is not fair to our residents. One school teacher even had to break her lease and move because of this. Our building has rich black history and if unfair the same black residents aren't treated with respect. This gym should not b attached to our building! Move closer to 53rd!!!! read more

Great space, great equipment, and unparalleled customer service. Annie, the owner, could not be more accommodating or knowledgeable or gracious. The Space is the antidote to corporate gyms, to gyms that require long-term contracts, that feel as cold and soulless as a frozen barbell. If you're in or around Hyde Park, you could train elsewhere. But WHY would you? The Space is THE place. read more

Great experience. Annie, the owner, is super welcoming and makes the membership process extremely easy. All the staff are motivating and great at what they do. Not to mention, the membership price is super reasonable and the gym is very clean. read more

I am a college athlete who needed a gym to train at for two months during the summer. I struggled to find a gym that fit my needs and didn't require any down payment. The Space didn't require any down payment from me at all. Not only that, but the customer service offered is some of the best I have ever experienced. Responses to any questions I had were quick and helpful. On top of this, the gym is great. It's not overly crowded, and it had more than enough equipment for me to use. I absolutely loved this gym, and I would recommend it to anybody who is interested. read more

Amazing in terms of the space. Annie is so accommodating! The trainers are professional. Awful however, people don't put equipment away when they're done. read more

I found the Space on Yelp and joined Annie's 7 AM group training class a little over a year ago. It's not going too far to say it's changed my life. I've worked with other trainers and she is something special. With one-hour sessions, just twice a week, Annie has helped me get rid of back pain, sleep better, lose two dress sizes, and given me Michelle Obama arms. Results aside, the sessions are always fun, despite the hour. Annie knows her stuff, and runs a tight ship. Look no further this is THE SPACE if you want to get fit and feel great while doing it. read more

Great facility- they have basically every piece of equipment you could ever want and everyone is really friendly. Love the hours too- it's nice to know I never have to worry about if the gym is open when I want to get a workout in, and even if there's a class going on it's not too hard to work around it. read more

I hired Emmanuel N. as my trainer and he is the best to work with. I felt intimidated on my first day but everyone is very professional, encouraging and helpful. The Space is not overwhelmingly big so you don't feel like "small fish in a big pond" and its clean. The ladies locker room is dated but very clean and nice little feminine touches throughout. I've been utilizing their personal training services for about 4 wks and can already see subtle changes. I just renewed my contract for another month and can't wait to see what the upcoming weeks will bring. I literally look forward to my hard and challenging sessions. read more

Great place to workout. Great view of the park. Everything is kept clean, and all of the equipment is always in perfect working order. The owner is super sweet and accommodating. Love that it's 24 hours. No complaints! read more

This is a great space. The gym is beautiful, with tons of natural light and architectural details that remind you of a different time. The owner, Annie, is the best! She is a straight-shooter and a fair business woman. The bathrooms are clean and spacious. If you want to support local business, workout with your community, and feel your best then this is the place for you! read more

Annie Padrid has created a true 'gem' (pun intended!) in Hyde Park. The Space is a hybrid between several things - cross fit space, muscle gym, group workout facility and wellness spa. Annie has created an environment that fully supports the wellness goals of a broad range of clients. After explaining to Annie my fitness goals she identified the perfect trainer (shout out to Saddi!) for me who understood my health concerns and goals then literally brought me back to life! In three months I went from barely able to walk due to advanced osteoarthritis to preparing for a 5k! Because the facility is open 24hrs, you can workout on your own schedule. The Space has an excellent variety of equipment - all well maintained and is always immaculate (even during peak periods). Membership at The Space has been a wonderful experience. If you want a partner to help you attain your fitness goals, I highly recommend contacting Annie for membership to The Space. read more

The Space is a great place to work out. It has a good selection of equipment and great light. I love looking out the window while I am on the treadmill and seeing the people in the park . read more

best workout facility on the south side. beautiful views out the window, uncrowded, great equipment. Annie Padrid (owner) is fantastic. read more

I've been a member of this gym since it was opened by top Chicago personal trainer, Annie Padrid. There's nothing like this gym on the south side and, quite possibly, in the city. Annie's knowledge and attention to detail for each of her client's needs goes above and beyond anything I've experienced. Not only has she built a first-class gym, she's hired top trainers. The Space is more than a place to work out, it's a wonderful community in Hyde Park. Highly recommend! read more