Health & Fitness Clubs in Western Springs / La Grange Area? (Chicago: sales, YMCA)

[Joel67]

The title pretty much gives the question away, I am looking for recommendations on good health and fitness clubs in the WS / LG area. My family is considering moving to this area and a good health club is an important part of our routine. Ideally we'd like a club with free weights, weigh machines, several group fitness classes per day to choose from, and while not a deal breaker, an olympic sized pool would be nice. We are not opposed to the YMCA or local rec center, assuming it offers the ammenities mentioned above.

[chet everett]

The LaGrange YMCA has moved to a pathetic storefront facility in LaGrange Park, as they were attempting to embark on a major swap / overhaul of their older building that did have a serviceable pool, but too many 'rental rooms' for people to be happy with.

That leaves a big hole in downtown LaGrange. There is limited communinty access to an indoor pool at Lyons Township High, and Riverside Brookfield redid their pool recently. Not sure if Loyola has pool, but I know that they do have a nice "cardio and strength' facility. Some folks from that area truck down to Lifetime Fitness in Burr Ridge or the the Five Seasons and Midtown facilities...

Outdoor pools include Field Club and Western Springs community pool.

Really a shame that LaGrange Y had such lousy timing...

[Joel67]

As always, thanks for the reply Chet. Would it be correct to say Midtown is the nearest club of its kind? Google Map says it is 14 minutes from Burlington and LG Road. Does that seem realistic or is more accurately double that?

[Sunday1]

Five Seasons in Burr Ridge is marginal at best. The attitudes throughout the building range from indifferent to rude and unprofessional - even some board members quit a while back. If you need to talk to the GM, it will take about two years to get a return call and the trainers are all about sales - not about helping people - they're not even friendly. We're switching to LifeTime in July.

[NearWestSider]

Originally Posted by Joel67

The title pretty much gives the question away, I am looking for recommendations on good health and fitness clubs in the WS / LG area. My family is considering moving to this area and a good health club is an important part of our routine. Ideally we'd like a club with free weights, weigh machines, several group fitness classes per day to choose from, and while not a deal breaker, an olympic sized pool would be nice. We are not opposed to the YMCA or local rec center, assuming it offers the ammenities mentioned above.

Most people in LaGrange go to Lifetime Fitness in Burr Ridge. The cheapskates like me go (went, actually, I am an empty-nester living in Chicago now) to Bally's in Countryside, which has the advantage of being bikeable from most of LG/WS/Highlands.

And just so you know, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Bally's in Countryside. I think the issue is that the crowd is maybe just a little too blue collar for some people in LaGrange, although you will also see a fair number of the well-to-do's at Bally's, too.

As for pools, the La Grange Field Club is what most people belong for those few fleeting years between getting off the waiting list and realizing that their kids don't really care for it enough to justify the cost. The place is dead, and I mean DEAD, unlike the Western Springs pool which is lively.

[pesco]

Western Springs has Elite Fitness in their downtown, which offers classes, cardio equipment, and weights. Cardinal Fitness in Countryside offers a cheap, bare bones, but generally clean fitness center. Lifetime is the closest fitness center that has all of the amenities you seek.