Gym memberships in the Northside? (Chicago, Lincoln: YMCA, live in, prices)

[jsuh84]

I'm residing in Andersonville and looking into gym memberships. All I'm looking for is a gym where I can lift weights. Anything else is butter (Especially a basketball court!!), but I'm really leaning towards affordability. I used to work out at a local gym up in the suburbs where it was, I think, $200/year.

Any recommendations?

Starting with the obvious, what can you guys tell me about Bally's up in Rogers Park?

What about X-Sport? Are their memberships universal, meaning I can use my pass at ANY X-Sport gym?

I want to ask y'all before resorting to calling them (They don't seem to provide membership rates online).

[Drover]

Originally Posted by jsuh84

I'm residing in Andersonville and looking into gym memberships. All I'm looking for is a gym where I can lift weights. Anything else is butter (Especially a basketball court!!), but I'm really leaning towards affordability. I used to work out at a local gym up in the suburbs where it was, I think, $200/year.

Any recommendations?

Starting with the obvious, what can you guys tell me about Bally's up in Rogers Park?

What about X-Sport? Are their memberships universal, meaning I can use my pass at ANY X-Sport gym?

I want to ask y'all before resorting to calling them (They don't seem to provide membership rates online).

X Sport has three package levels: The "you can use this location only" package, the "you can use all locations except the premium locations" package and the "you can use all X Sport gyms, even the premium locations" package. I believe they cost around $30, $40 and $50 a month respectively. The premium locations are Piper's Alley, Lakeview and the forthcoming South Loop location. Nothing makes them special except the fact that they are in high demand due to location.

[alwaystraveling25]

Hey, I live in Lakeview and love the FFC, but it's 78 a month. You will definitely not get anything around here for 200 a year, (meaning Northside of the City).

google "Gym prices in Chicago", and there should be a link for Time Out Chicago and a list of what gym prices are/where they are located. It might be a little bit, out of date, but it should give you an idea...

No idea about Xsport, but I paid 150 to join and 78 a month (employee sponsor rate) for the Formula Fitness Club. I know the Lakeview Athletic Club is similarly priced, and Bally's is 35 a month (But you sign a 2-3 year contract, and I only have a 1 year contract).

Good luck - Hope that website is still up for you!

[lincolnparker]

Regular membership for tier 1 full service gyms in the city n my own take:

East Bank Club $300 a month --- probably the preppiest health club in the city. if you like to play golf indoor and socialized with the affluent. This one is for you. very much the chicago equivalent of chelsea piers or reebok club of NYC.

FFC $90 a month--- more locations than other three, does not have the kind of amenities like the rest in terms of outdoor pools and climbing walls and complimentary beverage service

LVAC/EVAC/LPAC/WVAC $110 a month ---boutique gym, more intimate, comes with complimentary starbucks coffee, gourmet tea, indoor and outdoor pools, climbing wall both indoor and outdoor,etc

LakeShore Athletic CLub $95 a month --- Huge gym in downtown and especially lincoln park location encompasses an entire city block with indoor basketball and tennis courts and such, more family oriented

[long101]

i use to be a xsport member and now am with FFC. The only reason I switched is that its a block away from my work in union station. All around I do perfer Xsport, so if there is one in your area it is decent. I could go to any club xsport had and it was under $50 a month with no contract, and they are all 24/7 which was a huge bonus for me. FFC I pay about $60 w/ a 1yr contract (with an employee discount) and most are not 24/7. Theres not really going to be any halfway decent "cheap" places in the city

[jessiegirl_98]

I would also check out the Lakeview YMCA. Reason being, it has all the basics and is cheap! We paid $60 per month for a family membership (my boyfriend and I counted as a family). I loved Xsport, but it was significantly more expensive when I called.

[JanuaryGirl]

If you're mostly interested in weights and not amenities/atmosphere, you should look to see if there are any World Gyms around. I think they would be a lot more affordable. Also, on Broadway just south of Irving Park Rd. there is a Quads; I've never been there, but I imagine it is more barebones/cheaper.

[Swandaddy]

I pay $79 per month for the DePaul gym Ray Meyer. There are actually basketball courts and you can actually run full court games!!! Though I haven't in way too long due to injury. Harsh!

[Johnny Northside]

About the only place in the city that will come close to your budget is Cardinal Fitness. $20 per month, so $240 per year. There's a new one that just opened at Lincoln Village, not too far from Andersonville.

Cardinal Fitness

It's the one they call "Peterson Park"

[Lookout Kid]

I would avoid Bally's like the plague. Their membership practices seem shady to me, and they are impossible to quit if you sign a contract. And they are really bad about telemarketing and spam.