This gym is located on UC's campus and I believe you must be affiliated with the University to be a…read moremember here, but I could be wrong. Like most gyms, it really depends on what time you come to decide if you can get in a solid work out or not. Not a lot of free weights, machines are placed together in a haphazard way; not conducive to sets unless leg and bicep day is on your workout schedule. Squat racks and smith machines are plenty, but usually taken by UC athletes who are deadlifting. Equipment is in okay shape. There are spray bottles and towels available to ensure things are sanitized - in theory, that is. Here is my challenge with this gym: there are numerous signs reminding obtuse college students to wash their hands, practice basic human hygiene, wear appropriate clothing and shoes etc. Do you think anyone adheres to these rules? No. This is the smelliest gym I have EVER been to. EVER. Students are barefoot, in flip flops, wearing jeans - which to me just screams lawsuit (and a yeast infection) waiting to happen. At the end of the day, if you are a student here, this is probably an awesome place to work out - athletic 20 year olds, decent equipment, and lots of signs you won't read. As a grown up spending real money to work out here - try and come in the middle of the morning as you will miss out on all the annoyances.

The Gerald Ratner Athletic Center stands out amongst the neo-Gothic architecture of the University…read moreof Chicago thanks to its impressive contemporary design by noted architect Cesar Pelli in collaboration with local architecture firm OWP/P (now Cannon Design). The curvy rooflines and the spiky structural steel masts make their mark upon the northwest corner of the U of C campus. The Ratner includes facilities for swimming, basketball, and assorted workout facilities. The central atrium holds a sports Hall of Fame that includes the first Heisman Trophy, won by Maroon football hero Jay Berwanger.

Located inside Forest Preserve District of Cook County; Cermak Woods. Free parking for customers…read more Wonderful recreational area to enjoy with your family and friends. This is a well designed water recreational area. It has been changed, upgraded and redesigned throughout the years, but still here providing a great relaxing service to this community and visitors. You can grab a towel at the nearby Marshalls, and sunscreen as well. Plenty of grocery stores and restaurants nearby if you would like to enjoy a picnic with your family as well. Enjoy this wonderful experience.

Great toddler recreation with cute pools in the heart of Lyons, Illinois;thank you for opening…read moreevery summer.

I really like this location! I switched here from a previous gym, and I've been pretty happy I did…read more There are a ton of cardio machines from rows, to bikes, to treadmills. I've never had an issue of waiting for a treadmill like I have at other places, so I like that they have so many. I've never experienced any of the machines being broken either -- cardio or weightlifting. I like how many variations of each machine they have. For example, they have two variations of the leg extensions, two of leg curls, and about a million for bicep curls lol. The staff is pretty nice, and I've been satisfied with the conditions of the locker room/bathrooms. Parking is also free for the first 2 hours. Only down side is that it's too hot in here! No matter the time of the year, summer or winter, it's hot!

2/5 I've been a…read moremember of LA Fitness for nearly 20 years, and unfortunately, the Hyde Park location is one of the most disappointing I've experienced. The locker rooms are consistently dirty, there are often no paper towels or sanitizing wipes available, and much of the equipment feels old and poorly maintained. For a "Signature" club, this location falls far short--it feels more like a Bally's from 1995 than a modern fitness facility. Really hoping to see improvements, but as it stands, this will likely be my last year as a member. Do better. Either upgrade, discount or close this location.

We were visiting from California and checked this place out with our family who lives close to it…read more It was so much fun! The slides were great. Splash pad amazing. And the pool was so nice it was cushiony on the bottom. Deepest is about 5 feet.

Great place to hang out with family! Come here a lot. Very clean and well taken care of.read more

Just here to update my previous review. Still a very very good gym in the city (or should I say…read moreclub) - with everything you really could want for an entire day..,.work out? Check. Lunch? Check, swimming, tennis, golf, childcare, the list goes on. You can even get your clothes cleaned and your car washed. One drawback is the price. It is very pricey (with rates going up in 2026).., I don't really want to think about how much more I'm paying since I joined. However, I've easily spent entire days here swimming and working and working out so I guess I can't complain too much. Their spa is also great though it can get busy and in the summer the pool is a total scene (and packed). New locker rooms are underway (men's done and women's getting close) with new features and upgraded lighting and fixtures. Worth it if you don't mind paying for the amenities (and be careful with the house charge account ... it can get surprising!)

Great facility! There's so much to do and see. I'm here with my friend who teaches water aerobics…read moreand stretch. I decided to try some food since there's a cafe here. Since I'm a bit under the weather, these are the items I chose. Attentive server. Beautiful room!

What a great hotel gym! I was lucky enough to be staying at…read morethe Hilton Chicago last month and get a workout at their fabulous fitness facility. Amenities include: Indoor running track Indoor lap swimming pool with three lanes Jacuzzi Free weights up to 100 lbs Treadmills Elliptical machines Stationary bikes Stair climbers Smith Machine Rowing machine LifeFitness strength machines Dry sauna Most hotel gyms have one treadmill, one stationary bike, and some free weights, so this one definitely blew my mind. I cannot wait to return to take advantage of this offering the next time I'm in Chicago.

I'm not used to indoor pools. I was surprised at the…read morestrength of chlorine. We could smell it getting off the elevator. It would have been nice if they left the doors to the sun deck open, but apparently there are lots of spiders and insects that will fly in. Other than that, the rest of facilities are really nice. Great indoor track. I didn't use the machines, but they looked very clean and there were quite a few of them.

We love this park! It has a little bit of everything. Lots of grassy areas like baseball and soccer…read morefields, a rubber track, and a large playground for the kiddos. The park is great for picnics, people-watching, or walking the track. We typically come here to play on the swings though! They have baby swings which is perfect for my 9-month old. The playground is large with activities great for children of all ages that I know my baby will grow into along the way. On the weekends it can be busy, but adults and kids have always been respectful when playing. It's a great park, and we are so happy/lucky to live close by!

Nice courts in a friendly park setting…read more I found the court and hitting partners on joinplaytennis.com/chicago

Great facility open year around BUT CLOSED FOR SCHOOL…read moreHOLIDAYS! Spa and sauna are super nice. The rec app says there is a Pilates reformer but no classes to sign up. Testing to find out if true.

**UIC Swim Classes: A Budget-Friendly Option for Kids**…read more We enrolled in UIC Swim Classes for our 1.5-year-old and found it to be a solid, budget-friendly option. At $22 per session, the classes offer structured swim lessons at a more affordable rate compared to other local options. There is a chill vibe that works great for a 1st learner, but the level of rigor is lower than Goldfish so we switched there once we got off their wait list. Classes are sold in 5 week packages, and reschedules are not typically allowed. The class structure follows a set sequence of exercises. Instructors are friendly, but engagement is inconsistent. While they guide kids through various activities, the level of encouragement and feedback varies, with some instructors mentally checking out after providing initial directions. The UIC facility itself is quite nice - The water is comfortably warm and there are changing areas. Parking is available but paid for a few dollars. Note that your access is restricted to within 15 minutes of class time, so don't go too early. Though there are fewer opportunities for underwater practice and confidence-building dips, the parent/tot classes are primary about getting your kid comfortable in water. Overall, UIC Swim Classes deliver decent value for the price, though parents seeking a more intensive training that will get kids swimming faster may want to explore Goldfish.

I've been a member of Life Time Fitness for several years now and I have to say this location is…read more.. interesting. Located on the 9th floor of the One Chicago building near Magnificent Mile. To gain access into the club you can either walk in from the main lobby floor of One Chicago and take the elevator up to the 9th floor and that's where the club entrance is. There's only two elevators, during rush hour times there is often a line just to go up or down. You could take the stairs but who wants to climb 9 levels? That alone is a workout! Once you're inside the club there's 2 floor levels. The first floor has the check-in lobby, cafe, bar, locker rooms, rooftop pool and spa. The second level has all the workout equipment, cardio, and studio rooms for workout classes. I wasn't a big fan of the layout, it's kind of all over the place. Got a chance to take a Warrior Sculpt class with Taylor and it was awesome! One of the best sculpt classes I've ever had. I've seen some reviews complain about issues with the staff being rude but I honestly did not encounter any of that. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Oh and one last thing! This Life Time is open 24 hours! That's something I've never seen before, not even in NYC. That's a major win.

I don't write reviews lightly, especially negative ones, but this location deserves honest…read morefeedback. I've been a Life Time member on and off since I was a kid, starting in the suburbs of Houston. I've belonged in multiple cities, used LifeWork spaces, spent thousands per year on personal training, and countless dollars on spa services. By any definition, I'm a high-utilization, loyal customer and a genuine fan of the brand. The Chicago River North location is the biggest disappointment I've had with Life Time. From the start, the experience was poor. When I first toured before relocating to Chicago, the front desk manager rushed me through the building as if it were on fire--no real explanation, no attempt to sell the experience, no hospitality. That should have been a warning sign. Within my first two visits, I had two items stolen: A $370 pair of Sony in-ear headphones (gone after stepping away for under five minutes to get water) A $225 Canada Goose toque, taken from a bench while I briefly stepped on the scale These were not misplaced--they were stolen. That speaks volumes about the environment and lack of oversight. Beyond that, the club is consistently overcrowded, dirty, and disorganized, and staff interactions are largely unhelpful. For a gym positioned as a premium urban location, it simply does not meet the standard Life Time sets elsewhere. The spa experience is especially underwhelming. At Houston locations like Green Street and The Woodlands, you're greeted, given robes and slippers, sometimes offered a beverage, and allowed to change in a calm, elevated environment. River North offers none of that. It feels far closer to a Massage Envy than the resort-style experience Life Time markets and charges for. The final straw: when I called to cancel and asked to speak with the General Manager to share feedback, my membership was canceled before anyone reached out, asked what went wrong, or attempted to retain me. For a brand built on experience and loyalty, that was shocking. I've now joined Equinox--something I didn't want to do, as it's not a full-service gym--but this location left me no choice. Life Time is a great brand. This location is not. If you're considering River North, manage your expectations--or look elsewhere.