Edgewater Athletic & Swim Club

 

2

7

Nick E.

Chicago, IL

I got a membership because it was cheap and it was the nearest place with a pool I could find. I actually only use the pool, so this review is not based on the other facilities in the place. Even though I don't use all the facilities though, I got in on a pre-expansion deal for under 500 a year, so it still seems like a good value.
In my experience, the locker room is very small but there are still plenty of lockers available. Everything is kept in good shape and the rooms are all well-kept. The staff are friendly and helpful. I go primarily at night, after 7:30. Most nights, there's no wait for a swim lane and there are towels available when I get there. They're open till 10pm, which is convenient for me.

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Elite '08

2

107

Lee C.

Chicago, IL

I used to live in the Sovereign Apartments, which houses the Edgewater Athletic Club.  Oh, everyday I thought about jumping down 10 flights of stairs and opening a membership (residents get a discount), but alas I never had enough money.  It would have been so nice . . .

A couple of years later, and I'm still in the neighborhood.  Got the "Stimulus Package" from the IRS, and immediately used it to get a membership.  Since the construction was not yet over, I was able to get the special: One year for $480.00.  Not a bad deal!

So now there's a brand new room filled with stair climbers and treadmills (some with small TVs attached), plus the pool, steam room, and weight room.  The latter is my favorite.  Where else can you workout in a former ballroom, complete with doric pillars and a chandelier hanging from a baby blue ceiling?  Europe, probably.  They're fancy over there.

Also, it's never very crowded, and there are actual fat people there, not just young and fit gym rats.  

The only bad part is the locker room.  I can't vouch for the women's, but the men's is so small!  I have heard that soon they will be expanding those as well, but until then I'll just change at home.

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Elite '08

13

73

Christine F.

Chicago, IL

For what you get, you can't beat the price.

I got the partner deal with my boyfriend, so I paid $500 per year. It's a lot less than most gyms, and the best part? You never have to wait for a machine.

It's kind of a hidden gem of Edgewater. No one really knows about it. I've never had to wait for an Elliptical.  I wasn't pressured into using a personal trainer (which I've heard is done at other gyms). They were very chill and straightforward when I signed the contract. The staff are friendly and laid back.

They are renovating the space currently, so it looks a bit 'hard hat zone'-ish right now, but it will be okay. It's a bit of pain in the ass at the moment, though.

They also have classes - they offer quite a few different types of Yoga. The best part? You don't have to pay extra for the classes, they are included in your membership! I haven't attended the classes because they don't coincide with my work schedule, but it's good to know.

Overall? Great place for a great price. NOW WORK IT OUT.

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5

19

Kayleigh M.

Chicago, IL

This is a small athletic club part of the Sovereign building, which is quite convenient because it's not even  a 2 minute walk away for me.  What I love is how there is a chandelier hanging in the weight room.  The place used to be part of a hotel, a ballroom or something, but it's pretty cute.  The place is never that crowded so you can walk in, do your workout, and be on your merry way.  The weight room consists of treadmills, ellipticals, stair machines, bikes, free weights, and several different weight lifting machines.  There is also a pool, not real big, but it serves its purpose.  Can't forget to mention there is a sauna right off the pool area.  The lockers in the locker room need to be replaced, but it's all good.  Oh! and as a bonus there is a towel service available!  I don't know about you, but I'm pouring out buckets of sweat while riding the bike.  Well not buckets, but it's quite a bit.  Therefore, the towels are quite useful. The staff are quite friendly and helpful as well.  I highly recommend this place.

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10

87

Morgan C.

Chicago, IL

While I think a 3.5 would be a little better, I'll err on the high side because of the charm. It's a nice little place. I like that they kept the old 20's feel of the ballroom that the weight room used to be. It has all the basic machines you'll need, some treadmills, some ellipticals, a few bikes, and a couple stair machines. Some free weights, too. Helpful staff and best of all, it's not a Bally's-type meat market. Go, work out, go home.

Locker space is pretty small, but serviceable. Same with the pool. They seem to have a fair amount of classes, too. But for me, it's pretty much a fall-back for running/biking when the weather's too bad to do it outside, or I need to hit the gym, and I'd rather pay the $10 for a day pass than trek all the way down to UIC. However, if I wasn't a student there with a giant college rec center at my disposal, I'd be happy with a membership at this little place.

But yeah, if you're in the neighborhood and want a nice little place to just go get your sweat on, have at it!

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2

4

Jeremy T.

Chicago, IL

I agree with what everyone else has said here.  I am basing my selection of the right gym for me off of some of these Yelp reviews.  I almost tried out a Bally's in the loop, but some "helpful" (e.g. negative) reviews steered me away.  This place is only a 10 minute walk from my apartment, which is all the better.  The staff was helpful as I made my way in, even waiving the day pass fee just to let me try the place out, since I mentioned I might be buying a membership (if you go, be sure to do that ;) ).  There is a pool that is heated to around 83 degrees all the time right as you walk in, and a room to stretch out in.  The main room with all the equipment is, like some have said before me, an old ballroom, but it has been well-kept over the years.  It's a nice atmosphere for working out.  Also, like the other reviews say, this place is rarely full.  In the few times I've went so far there were around 10 people there max.  That's something I like personally; I'm not one to sign up for machines and wait in line.  I want to get in, work out, get out.  There are 3 or 4 TV's hanging in front of the cardio machines, and a couple more around the room.  Plenty of weights, and plenty of room to use them.  Only giving 4 stars here because the men's locker room (especially the stairway leading up to it) is extremely small.

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10

91

Dave H.

Chicago, IL

When I first started going here, I loved it because it was low-key, inexpensive, and rarely full.  I'm now happy to pay more elsewhere for small conveniences that really start to matter after a while.

I've come to really dislike the place.  The locker room is tiny and disgusting.  The showers barely work -- good luck getting hot water. Most of the lockers are broken and the rest are rusted out.  If there are two people in it at the same time, there's basically no more room.  They're doing a major renovation which will hopefully expand it -- maybe then, *four* people can fit in there at the same time.

I've had stuff stolen from LOCKED lockers there twice.  Admittedly, these were some of the old and rusted out lockers that I didn't realize could be shimmed open at the top.  Management should have known about this and fixed it.  Now I won't even leave more than my street clothes in there -- everything else comes down to the workout room with me.

Still - it's affordable, and rarely full.  If you only ever used the workout areas, it would be just peachy.

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8

43

Leigh J.

Chicago, IL

This is a small healthclub hidden in Edgewater. It is located in the Sovereign building, and was once a ballroom. It's decor isn't like the typical healthclub. Candleabras and Italian Marbles (dating from the 1920's) are just part of the unique asethetic. There is also a 20 yard swimming pool, which used to play hosts to the likes of  Al Capone and the King of Denmark. The prices are very economical, with payment plans available.  Best of all, the attitude of both staff and members. It's one of the few places where hard bodies and not so hard bodies can be comfortable with one another. One more thing! It is the only health club in the area (that I am aware of) that feature art (available for purchase) from local artists.  Definately check it out!

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2

55

Amy M.

Chicago, IL

I admit I like the idea of a small, neighborhood gym, rather than a big national chain/pick up spot.  The machines are located in what used to be a ballroom, so there are great architectural details like marble stairs and beveled mirrors.  I've never had a problem getting onto the machine I wanted when I wanted to use it.  Mostly, the pool is my domain.  It's a junior olympic which is kept a little on the cool side. Don't worry, you'll warm up once you get moving.  After work swimmers may have to time it right to get a lane; the pool can get busy on certain nights.  The class schedule is small, but if classes aren't your thing, this is a great, no-frills, non-intimidating place to get sweaty.

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15

71

Cheryl L.

Chicago, IL

Do the hardbodies at Bally's or Gold's intimidate you? Would you like a quiet neighborhood gym where your friends and neighbors feel comfortable working out? Then Edgewater Athletic & Swim Club ("EASC") just might be the right fit for you. Located in what was once the ballroom of the Sovereign Hotel (now The Sovereign Apartments), this athletic club encompasses a junior Olympic size swimming pool, 10,000 square feet of workout space, an exercise studio, steam room, locker rooms, and a sun deck. They have a good variety of Nautilus/Hammer machines, and aerobic trainers (elliptical, bikes, treadmills). Classes include yoga and water fitness (small extra fee for the water fitness class, although using the pool is included in your monthly fee), but classes are limited in number. It's pretty cool to be working out in a historic ballroom which once played host to Chicago's socialite elites - and even Al Capone. People working out here are more focused on their own workouts and getting fit, which makes it a much more comfortable environment than "meat-market" style gyms. Personal trainers and massage therapy are also available. Guest memberships are available for $10/day (free one day pass with tour). Membership is reasonable, with a monthly plan available (you'll save a month or two of fees if you pay in full per year). The staff is friendly and the personal trainers are great. Two blocks from the Granville red line L stop; very limited on-street parking (no permit required). Hours 5:30am-10pm M-F; 8am-8pm Sat/Sun. (www.edgewaterathletic.com)

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