Where can I work up a sweat in Chicago?

January 5, 2007 8:31 AM

Next month I'll be ready to take on the gym again. What gym (in Chicago) might be best for me?

Years ago (before I had any commitment to being in better shape) I belonged to Cheetah in Andersonville and rarely went. In Albuquerque I found a great little gym (Liberty on Cutler) that I attended consistently 4-6x a week for the duration I was a member. I tried switching to another gym and found that I only went twice. It was right down the block from Liberty, but I hated going there.

So, clearly there's something to the notion that you have to like the place you workout in. So where in Chicago (prefer the Wicker Park/Bucktown area) might I find a gym that:

- isn't overly dedicated to the temple of the pretty
- isn't insanely expensive (prefer under $50 - possible?)
- doesn't require a long term contract
- has basic cardio/circuit training/free weight equipment

Curves and Bally's are both out of the question. Thanks!

posted by FlamingBore to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

My Aunt used to go to the gym that is at Swedish Covenant Hospital. She said it was always full of older Korean women, so probably the opposite of Cheetah. She really liked it and would still be a member, but has since moved. I think it might be above your price range though.
posted by sulaine at 8:55 AM on January 5, 2007

as far as no-contract.. look if your health insurance offers any programs. my work has global fit, which lets you do month-by-month.

another option might be a class-based center (martial arts, kickboxing, etc) sometimes have no-contract options.
posted by ejaned8 at 9:20 AM on January 5, 2007

I joined the gym at Swedish Covenant this past fall -- Galter Life Center. It's $75/mo., which is way out of my price range, but if I didn't go there I wouldn't go to a gym. And that price includes most of the group classes.

It's month-to-month, no annual membership or anything, and if you go for a tour (no reservation needed) you get 3 free guest passes to try it out.

I enjoy the low-key atmosphere and mix of people. And it meets all your requirements, except for "isn't insanely expensive."

The negatives are that it's not easy to get to on public transit. I live within walking distance, but the closest buses are 92 Foster and the very limited 93 N California. And it's far from Wicker Park.
posted by limeswirltart at 9:32 AM on January 5, 2007

I was wrong above, Galter only gives out 2 free passes with a tour.
posted by limeswirltart at 9:38 AM on January 5, 2007

look at the chicago park district website. You can go to several places in the city for 5 dollars or so, and you won't be committed to a gym. You pay as you go. Also, this week's Time Out Chicago has a special on gyms, so maybe pick it up and take a look.
posted by bash at 5:51 PM on January 5, 2007

The Y! I live in Logan Square and go to the McCormick Tribune YMCA - about 2 miles west of Bucktown at Lawndale & Cortland. Lots of machines & treadmills, free weights, weight machines, basketball, raquetball, free training available. Depending on how much you make there's a sliding scale for membership - my wife and I have a family membership for just under $50 / month, month to month, recoprocity w/ opther Ys.

http://www.mctriby.org/
posted by sfz at 3:53 PM on January 6, 2007