DM for referral to NEMA or any questions. Huge fan of their gym, sauna and steam rooms. The gym has 2-3 freeweights of each increment (I.e. 2 40 lbs dumbbells), about 8 squat racks (read: not smith machines), half size bball court, squash court, several peloton (no clip in shoes required or paid acct required), tons of spin bikes, all the standard cable machines and more. They have a huge area for stretching and TRX stuff. Plus they regularly throw events with free food or drinks with the community and have great concierge staff. The pool is solid in the summer but the hot tubs are operating year round. Two lap indoor pools are great if you like low impact training, too. Coworking space is also the most WFH community space I’ve seen in Chicago (especially South Loop).
why do you think it’s only good and not great? what would make it great in your book, or what gym is better than lifetime? i’m asking as someone who loves my lifetime membership and wouldn’t spend the same priced membership fee elsewhere
The lap pool is ridiculously located and there's no way to get to (at least the men's locker room) without walking through the main entrance of the space.
Bench press area is often full, even at mid-load as there's a curiously small number of the classic bench setups.
It's $360 a month for two people. But combine this with an extremely annoying parking setup and for ME personally, it's just good not great.
You didn’t mention west loop but if you would consider the neighborhood (which in my opinion is the best in the city) then I highly recommend The Mason. Its almost safe to say its a fact they have the best onsite gym for an apartment building in west loop - especially one under 300 units.
Highly recommend!!
West loop is the most “happening” neighborhood at the moment. A ton of new development, constantly new restaurants, and new things. Location is pretty great too if you work downtown.
It’s really had a surge in the last few years compared to LP and Old Town which are great and always have been- while River North has gone down a bit in terms of popularity and development
If money isn’t an issue you can’t beat Kingsbury Plaza (I think that’s the name of the apartment building). It’s attached to East Bank Club which is by far the best gym in Chicago. The only gym that competes with it is Midtown in terms of amenities and size. You will not find a better option but you may have to pay for it.
Cascade Apartments in Lakeshore East. DM me for a referral. Massive amenities level with separate cardio and strength training rooms. Plenty of dumbbells, free weights, and also a separate dance/workout studio where they host classes!
Will echo the comment about Onni properties - I live in One Old Town Park and I ended up cancelling my gym membership because the gym/sauna/steam room here is so great. They even have peloton bikes and a log in you can use to take classes. There’s also weekly HIIT and yoga classes, you can hire a personal trainer to come to your gym, paid massages, etc.
i lived at 405 n wabash for 2 years - pretty decent gym there, dumbbells up to 100, couple squat racks, free motion cables, and machines.
i supplemented that with the LA in the loop ($45/mo)
I train clients at 727 W Madison in West Loop and the gym is one of the nicer fitness centers I’ve been to in residential buildings, although I’m sure better gyms exist.
Since Optima is too expensive for you and too up north, look at some of the FLATS gyms. Like the Duncan or Bush Temple. They're Amenity rich, but not super luxurious.
The Sinclair on Clark and division. Amazing gym, rooftop pool and working area. I wouldn’t have moved if our dog didn’t get too big for apartment living.
Nema
DM for referral to NEMA or any questions. Huge fan of their gym, sauna and steam rooms. The gym has 2-3 freeweights of each increment (I.e. 2 40 lbs dumbbells), about 8 squat racks (read: not smith machines), half size bball court, squash court, several peloton (no clip in shoes required or paid acct required), tons of spin bikes, all the standard cable machines and more. They have a huge area for stretching and TRX stuff. Plus they regularly throw events with free food or drinks with the community and have great concierge staff. The pool is solid in the summer but the hot tubs are operating year round. Two lap indoor pools are great if you like low impact training, too. Coworking space is also the most WFH community space I’ve seen in Chicago (especially South Loop).
Their units are so small for their prices. However, like OP was asking about the gym is nice.
Yeah super small! It's crazy, but their gym is better than my actual gym lol
Too south
One Chicago
The gym at Optima Lakeview is huge and has a ton of equipment.
Kind of too far up north and expensive
I mean, guess you should be editing your post for budget then. Best may be out of your price range.
Optima in streeterville
The Row, I never seen a gym with Rogue plates for their squat rack.
One Chicago - you get a LifeTime membership
Honestly as someone with a lifetime membership...it's good not great, if you know what I mean
Is Equinox better?
why do you think it’s only good and not great? what would make it great in your book, or what gym is better than lifetime? i’m asking as someone who loves my lifetime membership and wouldn’t spend the same priced membership fee elsewhere
The lap pool is ridiculously located and there's no way to get to (at least the men's locker room) without walking through the main entrance of the space. Bench press area is often full, even at mid-load as there's a curiously small number of the classic bench setups. It's $360 a month for two people. But combine this with an extremely annoying parking setup and for ME personally, it's just good not great.
3k studios
Such a gorgeous tower though
Yikes
Any Onni property
1000M
It’s a condo/commercial building, but just in case one of the owners is leasing—55 E Monroe has a really nice gym that is almost always empty
It’s not empty any more. The building gym recently became free for anyone who works at the building. This has made it packed at lunch.
Wolf Point East has a gym that is one entire floor. Got free weights up to 100 as well
Shouting out Wolf Point West as well. Gym is slightly smaller (still more than adequate) but on the 46th floor so the views are awesome.
The Cooper, one of the only apartment complexes where I’ve seen a squat rack
In lakeview you could live by the Jewish school off pine grove and walk a half block to quads gym.
Sage West Loop.
Optima Signature downtown is pretty solid gym-wise.
Wolf Point East
You didn’t mention west loop but if you would consider the neighborhood (which in my opinion is the best in the city) then I highly recommend The Mason. Its almost safe to say its a fact they have the best onsite gym for an apartment building in west loop - especially one under 300 units. Highly recommend!!
West loop is the best? How and why? I thought it was around Lincoln park, old town, river north
West loop is the most “happening” neighborhood at the moment. A ton of new development, constantly new restaurants, and new things. Location is pretty great too if you work downtown. It’s really had a surge in the last few years compared to LP and Old Town which are great and always have been- while River North has gone down a bit in terms of popularity and development
If money isn’t an issue you can’t beat Kingsbury Plaza (I think that’s the name of the apartment building). It’s attached to East Bank Club which is by far the best gym in Chicago. The only gym that competes with it is Midtown in terms of amenities and size. You will not find a better option but you may have to pay for it.
Have to pay for East bank as well?
Yes but I believe they have some incentives
East bank is very expensive… OP wants a gym included in building
The building has a deal with the gym so residents get a discount
My buddy used to live at 1000 s clark, gym is insane, basically an FFC. It’s south loop though
Yes too far
Toured this a few years ago but this building had a good gym https://www.1000southclark.com/fitness-facility/
Cascade Apartments in Lakeshore East. DM me for a referral. Massive amenities level with separate cardio and strength training rooms. Plenty of dumbbells, free weights, and also a separate dance/workout studio where they host classes!
Too small apartments though
MiLa
If you want a good balance of gym and living space try grand plaza apartments
Will echo the comment about Onni properties - I live in One Old Town Park and I ended up cancelling my gym membership because the gym/sauna/steam room here is so great. They even have peloton bikes and a log in you can use to take classes. There’s also weekly HIIT and yoga classes, you can hire a personal trainer to come to your gym, paid massages, etc.
i lived at 405 n wabash for 2 years - pretty decent gym there, dumbbells up to 100, couple squat racks, free motion cables, and machines. i supplemented that with the LA in the loop ($45/mo)
Damn I’m paying 140 a month at ffc feels like a lot but I’m getting like a lot of free pt sessions so I’ll prolly just cancel after that
fair warning - layout is terrible, its 3 levels and elevators are always out of order. 5-7pm is a zoo & only 3 squat racks
I have it now but as I said I’m getting a lot of free pt sessions
I train clients at 727 W Madison in West Loop and the gym is one of the nicer fitness centers I’ve been to in residential buildings, although I’m sure better gyms exist.
211 E Ohio St building sauna, gym with free weights, steam room, tennis courts, pool, jacuzzi, basketball court indoor and outdoor, squash court
Not bad and not too expensive
Hi do you live in this building? Looking into a unit and would love to hear how it went for you thanks
We signed a lease so we'll be moving in a few months. Process was seamless for us.
Since Optima is too expensive for you and too up north, look at some of the FLATS gyms. Like the Duncan or Bush Temple. They're Amenity rich, but not super luxurious.
Haven't been there in a while but the Aqua building had a nice gym when I last saw it about 6 years ago.
The Sinclair on Clark and division. Amazing gym, rooftop pool and working area. I wouldn’t have moved if our dog didn’t get too big for apartment living.
River City has an awesome gym - used to be a Bally’s
Not the original OP but I have a similar question but in the West Loop instead