photo: courtesy of Crunch; you can take a pole dancing class at our winner for best group classes
Does the clientele get you to the gym? Or is it the yummy, post-workout meal you can't resist? How about the amazing skyline views from the treadmills? We all know that the point of going to a gym is to get fit, but what if there's a certain something about a health club that will keep you motivated? We scouted out the best workout spots in the city and narrowed it down to the standouts in these categories.
Best group classes: Crunch
Crunch puts a lot of time, effort and money into its classes—and it shows. It consistently offers creative and fun group workouts, in addition to the standard fare, so you never get bored. Plus, the schedules change seasonally to keep it fresh; just be sure to check the offerings at your Crunch of choice, as each one has its own calendar. Our favorite classes include Kangoo, when you strap on some bouncy boots (provided for you) and jump along to a fun aerobic workout that promises to burn twice as many calories as a traditional workout, and Zodiaction; a mix of cardio, weights and yoga, the class changes monthly to coincide with the movements of the planets, moons and stars.
Best place to score a date: XSport Fitness
If you're into muscle-heads and super skinny women of the young-professional persuasion, XSport Fitness, which has locations throughout Chicagoland, may become your new favorite pick-up joint. The gym is relatively cheap, which means it's almost always packed at peak times—early mornings and from 5-8 p.m. You'll likely have to wait a while for a cardio machine, so fight the urge to pass the time listening to your iPod, and start chatting up the other people in line instead. Once you finally get on a machine, you'll be within inches of the person next to you, which can be sexy—if you're into that sorta thing.
Best personal trainers: David Barton Gym
David Barton is known for employing the best personal trainers, and the gym really gets kudos for having this elite set teach all of the group classes. That means you can literally try the trainers out for free before choosing the person who will whip you into shape. Unlike other gyms, where the trainers are so overwhelmed that they barely remember to show up for your session, the guys and gals at David Barton have a knack for remembering your name and recognizing you when you bump into them at the free weights. Talk about personal attention!
Best country-club feel: East Bank Club
So you live in Chicago but you're a true Greenwich, Connecticut girl at heart? East Bank Club is the gym for you. It's pricey ($170 a month plus initiation fees), but for the money, you'll get a driving range, basketball courts, indoor and outdoor pools, racket ball courts, a fabulous restaurant, a smoothie bar and the typical cardio and weight rooms. The equipment is always top-notch, and the rooms come outfitted with the newest and best televisions money can buy. In fact, it's taken on such a country-club vibe that many people go here to work out—and to network, eat and chill.
Best gym for the money: YMCA
If you don't want to spend a lot and don't mind a bare-bones gym, check out your local YMCA. The locker rooms are usually a tad dirty and the cardio area can be crowded and sweaty, but you can't beat it for the price. Fees vary from location to location, but can go as low as about $15 per month. It's a great place to get in, get out, go home and shower—because you won't want to linger long. The bonus of working out at the YMCA: You'll be sweating it out with your neighbors. Its community-minded environs make it a great place to meet the people from your block.
Best view: Holmes Place Health Club
Turn off the television and head over to Holmes Place, where you can take advantage of the floor-to-ceiling windows, best viewed from the treadmills, bikes or elliptical machines on the second floor. Spy on all those posh Streeterville residents as they head into Fox & Obel across the street. You'll be so distracted, you won't realize how hard you're working. But rest assured you will be working hard; the international health club chain has countless classes—from spinning to pilates—and the personal training focuses on lifestyle changes and is offered at three different difficulty levels.
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