Best Gyms with Specialized Strength Equipment near Chicago, Illinois

Nice equipment variety and clean. Friendly staff. They take care of everything so you come to a tidy gym. No old machines, nice bathrooms, also on holidays they do some appreciation details for the members. Super recommended!

Best gym in Pilsen!! Latina owned business and staff is exception! They always keep everything SOO clean and equipment is always up to date. Highly recommend!

I love this gym so much. The owner is constantly adding new equipment and updating things like ropes, handles etc. they have a gym shark machine for squats which you rarely see. It's never too crowded but always has a good crowd of local ppl trying to hit fitness goals. Fav. Gym in Chicago!!!

This is probably the cleanest gym I’ve ever been to. All machines and mats are regularly wiped down by Maria (staff at the gym) and members do a great job of wiping things down too. As a woman I’ve always felt completely comfortable and respected by other members. And it doesn’t get packed to the brim with people, even during busy periods like after work. Love this gym and love to see Lety around, always. Def recommend.

Went here for the first time with my friend just to try it out…. LOVE IT. Obsessed would be an understatement. Day pass was $20 and the owner Lety was super sweet and helpful. Super clean and open spaced and organized. Definitely will be coming here more often!

This is an amazing powerlifting gym in the city that has everything you could ever possibly need. The owner, Lance was quick to respond and super accommodating to me while I was traveling to Chicago and needed to get some training in. He set me up with a guest pass for the duration of my stay, and welcomed me like I was one of his regulars. Everyone I met at the gym was friendly! I honestly had some of the best training sessions here. Great environment, competition standard equipment, machines galore, and even the sweetest gym dog, Sadie, that got all the pets and head scratches between sets! Ample, free parking out front, and great hours. Let me tell you— I was BIG SAD when it was time to leave and head back to California. Thanks for creating such an awesome space and community here. Very grateful that I have such a badass gym to call home when I’m back in Chicago again.

It’s been such a great place for me! No frills gym full of people who just want to get in a good workout. Lance is such a kind guy who’s willing to help however he can. You can tell he loves the sport and wants others to have a good experience. Sadie, the gym dog, is also the best!

Popped in for a quick workout on vacay. Loved the atmosphere. Met Lance incredibly nice guy and strong as hell lol.

A little bit hard to find, but everyone is super nice so you'll be able to find your way! The gym is pretty raw and it's like taking a time machine back to the glory days of lifting. Lance is one of the most stand up guys you will ever meet and has a great gym with great members!! A wide variety of equipment for different interests (machines, racks, weights, etc.) Lots of parking which is hard to find in the city!!! Truly a diamond in the rough of gyms!

Awesome gym for serious lifters and newbies alike! Lots of great equipment for anyone interested in building strength. Lance is a great coach and very friendly. Lifting community here is great 💪🥰

Awesome gym! They have nearly every piece of equipment you can imagine! It’s like walking in the old school bodybuilding era. The owner Sharon is a total sweetheart! The people are awesome. If you’re in Chicago, you have to check this place out!

This is a fantastic, legendary, no-frills gym! It literally has tons of real iron plates, barbells and every weightlifting apparatus you will ever need. Also, the members are more considerate and friendly than any other gym I’ve belonged to.

I love seeing a familiar face at the front check in! Locker rooms are so clean, many open lockers for use, and water stations on both floors! Multiple sets of free weights, they never seem to be missing! So many machines! Yes they have what you’re looking for, you just have to know where to look! I recommend getting a tour when signing up, I declined and am still finding new features 2 yrs into my membership. I love that I can purchase different types of memberships (daily, monthly, punch card). My quarterly schedule changes dramatically!

This gym is awesome for bodybuilding or weightlifting enthusiasts. It is a massive space, 2.5 large floors, with smaller rooms for posing, stretching, and a small but adequate boxing studio, too. There's also a wide variety of equipment to appeal to all comers regardless of their level of fitness or individual goals, as well as dozens of cardio machines. There is almost too much equipment, at least a half dozen racks of dumbells, free weights and plates of different sizes by dozens of manufacturers as well as machines, including a full set of old school original Nautilus equipment, which was really cool to workout on. A lot of it is outdated but in great condition and serviceable. The gym could possibly be a little cleaner, the layout could be a little better organized, but in my opinion it only adds to the atmosphere (the gym has a lot of history and is well known in the bodybuilding community) which is otherwise friendly and welcoming, but serious about old school bodybuilding and weightlifting.

When I enter Quads gym I notice immediately I am walking among giants. It is a very diverse gym and super friendly. I can watch an ifbb pro train an area I have wanted to improve. Multiple room and levels it's a Mecca for any serious gym rat! People ask me how I recover so fast from surgery at almost 63 yo. The answer is Quads. Photo today 3 weeks after full joint replacement.

I’ve been going to the gym for quite some time now. I didn’t know I needed A change of scenery, a change of atmosphere… until I entered Lockout and trained here for a couple of days…. This is a REAL gym. All the necessities and then some to push you further. That 80’s style Mecca of lifting type vibe… This is the gym you need.

This was a $45 dollar mistake. Their equipment is okay, good amount. Not super dirty and the women’s bathrooms are nice, but very few cleaning supplies for such a large space, and some nights where there are none around. They also lied over the phone about there not being a contract. The biggest problem is that it is not a welcoming environment. It’s supposed to be a community gym but the same 5 guys take over the music and turn it all the way up. I asked politely if they could turn it down as I was right next to speaker. They turned it down for 30 seconds and turned it back up and laughed. Mind you, I don’t care if it’s up a bit just more the fact that it’s not a safe environment to work out in as a woman if you’re not in their group. I went back another day and they saw me and turned the music up again and laughed at me. I used to manage a 150,000 ft gym and rec center and this gym leaves a lot to be desired- won’t be back again. Will not recommend to any women that want to seriously lift weights.

Not a good environment to work out in. Annoying, lazy clientele. No strong people. Planet Fitness type crowd. Bad music taste. Much prefer Handlebars II on Archer and Avers. Get a real workout in.

Love this gym!

I was visiting Chicago for the week and needed a gym. Joe was incredible! You can clearly see his passion for the community he has built and he is very hospitable. Joe was kind enough to show me around- I even had a few people come up to me and welcome me after. The community at this gym is nothing short of phenomenal and the equipment is impeccable. I have zero hesitation recommending this gym and will continue to come here anytime I find myself in the area. My only request is you get a Duffalo bar!! Maybe next time :)

When you first join Joe the owner takes the time to personally walk you through the facility and show you all the equipment and amenities. One key factor I love is that there is 24hr access for members with a fob and it has been nice being able to use the gym extremely early and avoid the crowd. I have to mention unfortunately I will not be in Chicago for a year due to the military, but Joe and the rest of iron mine staff were very helpful and worked with me. Not any gym takes the time for their members, over all I will miss this gym but I am definitely coming back once I’m back from military business.

I can't recommend this gym enough! From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed by both the staff and the members. The community here is absolutely incredible, everyone is supportive, friendly, and always encouraging you to do your best. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced athlete, this is the place for you. The gym is top-notch, clean, and well-maintained. If you're looking for a gym that feels like a second home with an amazing group of people, this is the place to be!

I don’t think words could even begin to explain how kind the community of iron mine gym has been. I have been a member for about 2 months and I am constantly in awe that such an amazing and uplifting community of gym members exist. Joe has done an amazing job of not only curating a great selection of equipment but has truly made his gym a place members can feel comfortable and welcome in. Coming in each day has been a highlight of moving to the area.

As a primary cardio addict, I decided to join Iron Mine with the hopes of finally stepping out of my comfort zone. Strength training was mostly a foreign concept to me. I’d been a member at other various gyms, without ever branching out in my routine. There is definitely something to be said about the energy and overall community of Iron Mine that makes you want to become the better version of yourself. For the first time, I felt motivated by those around me to tap into my own strength and see what could possibly come of it. As a female, you will NOT feel intimidated here. You will, in fact, feel welcome and eager to see yourself grow. 24/7 access and no hidden fees or hurdles is really rare! Take the leap, you wont regret it.