Best Gyms with Free Weights near Chicago, Illinois

They stole the krabby Patty secret formula from me. (Picture in different location) got a grace pass from them. Front desk needs a raise. Super clean, but most people that go here are literally psychopaths (doctors/surgeons, Lawyers, business owners). It's basically like an adult college campus. Other than that, 10/10 would recommend if you have the money.

I don't think I can say anything bad about "LifeTime". It was clean, friendly staff and great amenities. They have a snack room and outdoor rooftop sitting. For those with kids, you have no excuse. They have a kids area(babysitting). Afterwork working out, you can visit the spa: hot tub, sauna, steam room, and the cold(ice) pool. You can even have a shower and blow dry your hair. Then, your back on the road

This newly added location in Chicago, belonging to the Lifetime brand, is truly exceptional. The gym floor's vast expanse is impressive and magnificent, featuring all the standard Lifetime sections and more. Additionally, there's an indoor and outdoor pool available for an extra fee, and the club remains open 24 hours in Gold Coast Chicago. The views from both the gym floor and the pool are splendid. Conveniently, there's a Whole Foods store on the ground floor, making it a comprehensive facility. However, there are some drawbacks. During weekend mornings, the gym floor can get incredibly crowded, often dominated by college groups or unknown gatherings, which can be bothersome for those trying to use the machines and bars. While they offer amenities like a cold plunge, sauna, and steam room, there's a need for better signage to educate members about proper behavior, such as not leaving towels everywhere. Furthermore, it's important for members to rinse or shower before using the hot tub or cold plunge, as wearing underwear or sweat-soaked sport shorts can introduce unwanted elements into the water. This practice can compromise the water quality, potentially remaining unchanged for an extended period of time.

Hands down my all time favorite lifetime fitness location (and I’ve been to MANY), and not just for Chicago. The inside is massive, well kept, and always has equipment available despite how busy it gets. The value for this location is also great especially when you compare it with the NYC locations. And the lifetime cafe in this gym is awesome! They actually have a lot of delicious and healthy food options here

I have been a member more than six months and love the gym. I go to gym very early in the morning and see Heather at the front desk almost every time. She is the best in the team. She cares ,a good listener , a problem solver, is giving the best advices.

Graduation day, I've never been so happy for my daughter and her friends. The ceremony was very special to watch one graduate become a teacher right after she was done with school. St Xavier University it was well organized job well done to everyone who graduated

For 30 years, the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts has hosted many live performances featuring world-class musicians and actors. Nilo Cruz, Henry Mancini, and Los Lobos are just some performers who have graced the stage at this beautiful venue. There are two theaters on site. The Robinson Theater is a larger venue, and the Studio Theater offers a more intimate environment. Besides performances, several cultural events are held throughout the year.

Paid full price for a year membership. They do not post when their gym will be closed on their website. I walk in and the male employees either dont possess strong enough neck muscles to look up, or they just don't care about treating others with human decency. When I made very little money at the gym I found a way to be nice, or at the very least, say hello. Also, there is a sign that says everyone must check in. There is no one at the front desk so how do you expect me to do this as it happens so often? Others notice this issue as well and just walk right on in. Im assuming this is ok? Please, return my money or change your atmosphere/employee work ethic. Thank you

Toured the facility with my son and Coach Anthony.

Out dated work out equipment and somewhat clean. Clean bathrooms. Only good thing about this gym is the separated running track on third floor. Otherwise pretty outdated gym, equipment is probably 10-20 years old. Not sure how much the monthly costs are since I do not pay but if its anywhere above 30 or above pee month, its probably not worth it when Moraine Valley has a brand new gym for 50 bucks a month and a pool/jacuzzi.

I was worried moving to the neighborhood that I wouldn’t find a gym as good as my old one, but I must say I love coming to 312 Fit! The workouts are challenging, coaches are excellent and the music is great. Highly recommend this gym.

Hands down the best workout and community around. I gave a few gyms in the area a try and this was the most welcoming, clean, balanced, and transparent. I've been a member for close to two years and have noticed a huge difference in my body composition and strength.

I consider myself a beginner and I was always lost at the gym in what to do. Coming to F45 has made me feel comfortable and motivated. Trainers are great, they push me to keep going and they are attentive to everyone. I like the idea that each class is different. They offer early classes that fits my busy schedule. Highly recommend!

From the moment I walked through the doors, I was greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable staff who made me feel very comfortable. The trainers are fantastic, always providing personalized attention and guidance to ensure proper form and maximize results. The atmosphere is always positive and encouraging, making every workout session a joy. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned athlete, F45 mt greenwood is the perfect place to challenge yourself, achieve your fitness goals, and have a great time doing it. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exceptional functional training experience.

I drove past this place many times before joining. When I finally did I didn't sign up for the 3-day trial pass because I didn't want to give myself the option to quit. I wanted to commit from day one. All I have to say, here I am one year later and 40lbs down. Be patient with yourself and give this place a try. We were all beginners at one point and there's new people joining all the time they welcome all fitness levels. Hands down the best coaches.

Overall this is a really good intermediate gym if you aren’t looking for anything specialty. What I like is everything always works, it’s clean, well staffed, and has just about everything possible to get a decent workout in a short time. It’s a little crowded and sardined canned which is expected in Chicago and it’s January at a gym. Still the best value for any gym around. One only significant downside is there isn’t much of a “community” feel there but it’s a sign of the times not representative of the gym. Good people just not the camaraderie of a smaller private gym.

Staff here is great. Super friendly and always makes me feel welcome. Most know me by name. Being greeted with a smile every time I walk in, is one of the highlights of my day. Equipment is always clean. Love the new machines. The only 2 complaints i have is there are not nearly enough stairmasters, and the non-enforcement of members putting equipment away.

I love how friendly and helpful the staff is. Kudos to Vanessa at the Foster/Irving Park gym for keeping the facility tidy and for being so helpful. The facility is always clean as I see the staff constantly cleaning machines, lockers, and the floors. The fees are very reasonable. Highly recommended!

Definitely not as good as ZIP fitness though for as little as $10 a month with what do you expect. They simply do not have as much free weights as Zip Fitness once had which has me looking at other options for a gym membership. The parking lot is huge and you can always find parking. Hours have improved from Zip Fitness. A good gym for someone who is a beginner to an intermediate.

Clean, all the machines work not overcrowded quite atmosphere. Everyone is very nice. I've been going here for three years, almost everyday.

I dont know why some ratings are low but it was my second day and I absolutely love it. I go super early and it does stay busy, but there’s always room for weight and cardio. Bathroom is super clean and the sauna is in great shape. Good lobby to get some work done as well. I am not a gym brat so I cannot go into super details but as someone who occasionally visits the gym to get some exercise done, this is worth all the money.

I will have a lot of the same things as other people. 1. Shower heads for over half the showers either didn't shut off or have enough pressure to do anything for about 5 months. 2. Men's locker room smells like mold. 3. When the AC goes out in the weight room, no one cares even if the temperature hits 80 and can take a week to do anything. 4. Cable machines need general maintenance, even just a little bit of grease, oil or something but many of the weights don't slide up and down glides easily. 5. You'll never find a staff member picking up anything. Garbage and weights can be left untouched for days. 6. There is no way to contact management. No business cards or contact info on websites 7. Steam and dry sauna doors are disgusting and haven't been cleaned in 8 months now. I wiped the dry sauna door once as it got so bad and I can tell they still haven't cleaned it.

I Walked in to get a tour not to work out was told that the membership person is not there until nine. I need to make an appointment. I asked if I could just be shown around so we don’t waste each other’s time she said that would be a $30 fee as a guest pass I told her I don’t wanna work out she said well it’s $30 and I said thank you but no thanks I think they need to realise that there are only reason that they are there is because we are there, and if we’re not there, there’s no reason for any of that staff to show up for work. Dec30 8:25 am David Jenson

Very hard to cancel your membership. They will bill you an extra month and either send to collections or hold your CC info hostage. See the 50 other reviews that say the same thing

I've been a member since the opening, great amenities including indoor pool (also a summer rooftop smaller pool), nice setup u have also a terrace for training outside, tons of fun classes (included in the membership fee) and friendly and super-professional instructors - totally recommend!

Unfortunately, this was my least-friendly interaction I’ve had since moving to Chicago a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been looking for a new gym since I got here, and realized there was a gym within walking distance which was perfect. After trying to call repeatedly to get no answer or ability to leave a message, I decided to just walk down to the gym. When we got to the doors, they were both locked. There were people standing just inside the door, and we saw that there was a buzzer, so we pressed it. The person that answered the door stood in the doorway and with the snarkiest tone possible said “can I help you guys?” When I said we had just come by to check out the gym, we got another sour-faced response “do you have an appointment?” No. We didn’t. Mainly, because no one answered the phone when we called. It’s ok, there are plenty of gyms in Chicago. This one apparently doesn’t need my money, so I’ll take it elsewhere.

Great staff, clean facility. It’s on the smaller side but there’s plenty of equipment that can be modified for a more dynamic workout. They provide a very friendly atmosphere as well. My only gripe is the music. It’s really unbearable at times. Typically at a gym you have something upbeat and motivating, but they be playing the most random and weird stuff. Not an issue with headphones of course, but if you don’t have any or want to workout with someone else the music is really distracting, when you’re trying to lock into the zone and maximize your workout. That play folk, country, and just music you don’t expect at a gym because it doesn’t push you. Maybe not a big deal for others but it’s noticeable to me every visit.

This gym is one of the best I've been to in Chicago -> Dan and the rest of the team keep this place spotless, and it is never too crowded which is a nice change from some of the other gyms in the area. As an added perk, you can pop to the Anytime on Broadway (or other locations around the city!). Absolutely recommend for those looking to join a friendly, clean and convenient gym.

The temperature inside was great today, not too cold nor too warm, perfect and natural (2pm - August 19th) the gym’s clean and well equipped with modern machines too

Been going here for almost eight years. Small with no frills, but very clean and efficient. Customer service is first rate.

This club is so nice! Staff is friendly, the locker room is clean and spacious, the floors are open and airy with natural light, and the mind/body studio is quite pleasant. The outdoor pool is my favorite. It gets great sun and you can order smoothies and snacks right to your lounger. Nicole is the cafe manager, and she's super welcoming. It's just a really fun vibe at the pool!

While the fitness areas are more crowded than I’d prefer, the spa is super underrated. Been working specifically with therapist Huber regularly and he hits the right blend of being therapeutic and relaxing. He can dig in while also very attentive to what you’re looking to achieve. Try FFC union station for better fitness experience.

One of the best gyms I have ever trained at- however- people give off an elitist vibe which is kind of a turn off. 4/5

I just hate the fact that to get an answer for monthly membership, you need to hear a whole script then be told how the prices vary, then be told someone will have to call you back. I had a membership & cancelled but my son would like one now, I was willing to see if it would work but I feel like I’m at a timeshare event, Everything a secret… then you sign!

This place has really gone down hill. The one true positive here is the cleaning staff - they do a great job keeping the place looking good. Almost everyone else on the payroll from management to the front desk is either completely inept or entirely indifferent to doing their job. Equipment is also often broken for prolonged periods of time, the layout of the gym itself makes no sense, and the showers tend to go from hot to scalding without notice. The pool is great, that is until it gets so crowded from all the outside nonmember day guests they let in on the weekend that you can't find a chair. They also keep raising prices, and for what you are actually getting in return it's pretty ridiculous. It's basically a way overpriced LA Fitness with a pool. We've decided to cancel. It's just not the same gym it used to be before covid.