Previous

Next

West Loop Athletic Club

Part 4 of Health Club Review Series

Formerly Hoops The Gym Stadium Club, a private basketball gymnasium, the West Loop Athletic Club is steadily converting to a full-featured fitness club. Two of the original three courts are still in use, but one is going to be converted into a lap pool by the end of the year.

 

There are three group exercise studios and classes include spinning, yoga, pilates, and boxing. Upstairs are the cardio machines and weights. There are two full strength training circuits and a plethora of free weights. Each piece of cardio equipment has its own TV - just bring your own headphones and plug them in. The weights and cardio area has dance music piped in, but it’s not blasting so loud you can’t hear Oprah or CNN. If you prefer quiet, there’s another cardio ”room” (it’s open) that doesn’t have any music. There’s also a fairly large floor work/stretching area that has all the standard equipment, like stability and medicine balls, weight bars, benches, jump ropes and mats.

WLAC offers unlimited towel service. The locker rooms include a steam room and a sauna, and shampoo, conditioner, and body soap are provided. The only downside to the club is the use of stools instead of benches in the locker room! It was a little hard to balance all my “stuff” on a short wooden stool barely large enough to sit on.

Personal Trainers are available, ranging from $65/hour for an Expert Trainer, to $75/hour for a Specialist.

As part of its expansion, one of the studios will move upstairs and an existing one will be turned into day care. They’ll also be converting part of the entrance into a lounge area.

Overall, WLAC is a good value. It’s clean and has plentiful and varied equipment, and the amenities to help it feel more like a destination instead of a gym. On my initial tour, a woman in the locker room volunteered that it’s a great gym. That kind of unsolicited recommendation speaks volumes!

Fees:
$75 Initiation
$65 Monthly Dues
$90 Monthly Dues, two locations

Parking: Free, either on street or in adjacent lot

West Loop Athletic Club
1380 W Randolph
(312)850-4667

Lincoln Park Athletic Club
1019 W Diversey
(773)529-2022

Comments