Equinox The Loop

The best and only place to work out in the Loop! Super convenient location for mid-​day, work week gym access. It has all of the equipment you could possibly need, fantastic classes including yoga (go to Nicole Kupish’s class!!!), fully stocked and clean locker rooms, and the greatest trainers!!! (Ask for Ashley, Kyle, Jodi, Lauren, JP, JT, Amanda, Brian … really all of them are great!). I love the regulars too. I’m an afternoon guy, and always look forward to seeing the afternoon regulars at the Nox. The massage folks in the spa are magical, and everyone downstairs at the front desk and the offices (Robert, Tenika, etc.) all work very hard to make it a great place to be. I’ve been a member for 8 years and wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Equinox @ the LOOP!!! Long time all access member of Equinox, love visiting as many locations as I can. Yes I am obsessed with Equinox and its fantastic classes.
Love this location!
Clientele– pretty much a mix of all ages but mostly working professionals. (LOVE THat bloomies is right there)
Kids club, spa, yoga studio, main studio, cycle studio, free weights, cardio machines, weight machines, shower & steam rooms, café
Some of the trainers here are great– good tip– if you see people in light blue shirts– they are actual trainers! they walk around and are there if you have questions, most people don’t realize they are actual trainers and are there to help people out!
All the typical equinox amenities here– main studio, yoga/​barre studio, spin studio, tons of free weights, tons of machines, everything you can imagine. All the machines are new and in excellent condition and are up to date with the latest technology. Love that they are constantly replacing the yoga mats.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the group fitness classes. They are so much fun and the energy is always high. Instructors are enthusiastic and challenging. Tip– cardio blitz 530 Wednesdays, or metcon with kristie 630am thursday mornings!
This location has also the typical amazing equinox amenities in the locker rooms, towels galore, qtips, cotton balls, shaving crème razors and of course KIEHL’s bath & body products — shampoo, conditioner, body wash, crème de corp moisturizers. Love that the club is in pristine condition, there are always staff cleaning constantly.
TIP:
If you are thinking of joining, best way to get the best rate is to go thru a current member. My advisor who I have known for over 10 years is the best, he is upfront, honest, not pushy and will get you the best deal. Message me if you have any questions! He always throws in extras. make sure you try the gym before you make a huge commitment.

I have been a member of this location for seven years, and it keeps getting better. Lots of equipment (cardio and strength). Excellent group fitness program with a variety of classes from dawn to dusk. Clean showers with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. Small and large towels amply available. More pricey than other gyms; helpful to have a membership through your employer (i.e., a corporate membership). My one wish: a separate yoga studio and validated parking (at least for 60 – 90 minutes like the other Chicago Equinox locations).

My review is limited to a single visit on a recent Saturday morning. My friends and I arrived with the intention of joining the spin class, but with less than 10 members expressing interest in the class, it was cancelled and we were advised to join the already-​full yoga class. I had wanted to try spin because I already independently practice yoga, but I’m glad yoga was an option. The instructor was well-​versed in teaching and would walk around the studio re-​aligning students’ form. The class was a mix of beginner and intermediate yoga practitioners, and the instructor accommodated the spectrum of students’ yoga experience such that everyone felt challenged.
There is also a wide variety of aerobic exercise machines, including step machines, treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes.
The locker room facilities are clean and feature short-​term and long-​term lockers, and such amenities as Kiehl’s brand body lotion. disposable razors, and cotton swabs. There are heated towels near the aerobic equipment as well as regular towel service. Water fountains are strategically placed throughout the gym facilities.
Overall, this gym offers many of the equipment and classes that other gyms provide, but the amenities make the location stand out.

I don’t really believe in this new thing called Gymtimidation, but when trainers/​employees of a company don’t want to work with you and treat you as less of a priority because you aren’t trying to bulk-​up, that isn’t a place I want to be. I was interested in a membership because I needed to treat a disease, not be treated like a disease in a place of self-​improvement that prides itself on the motto ‘It’s not fitness, it’s life’.
I did a week free trial and went for a class that was offered, waited around for 10 minutes– the class prior was still in session, weird. The class leader then figured out I was waiting and told me no one comes to this class because its not really a workout, then didnt want to help me identify beneficial stretches for my neck and back even though the class was supposed to be a stretching and breathing practice class to regenerate. He also said he never even taught the class before but I could stretch with the other people on the stretch mat. He then left me in the gym alone, and told the gym manager that I asked him to foam roll my spine and he couldnt because thats not a safe thing to do so I didnt need help (I guess). What an A-​hole.
This gym also needs to offer more weekend classes, not worth a ‘discounted’ $ 120 a month.

Yoga flow for the win! I heart Nicole the yogi
Immediate reaction after yoga flow class/​Yelp elite event: Great experience, Nicole is an amazing yoga instructor (clear with direction and lovely), and while the gym is not Lifetime scale, the Equinox facility is clean, staff is friendly, and the machines are varied and state of the art which perfect for Chicago downtown loop dwellers to get there flex, stretch, flip and reverse it on.
Grabbed our bikes and my wife and I took a Saturday morning bike ride to the equinox in the loop. When we arrived we saw that Freshii was connected to equinox which is great to reinforce the work out with a nice healthy meal. We were greeted and shown around as well as told we could workout before and after our class which was nice. We tried some of the cool equipment and one of them reminded me of the first event in American Gladiators eliminator, (call me Sabre) we got a nice pre work out and there were quite a few people waiting for this Unilocal event and yoga class, they also had a spinning class but since rode our bikes we opted for yoga. The class right before was a circuit class where it looked like people really got it in.
When we went into the class the teacher told us to grab a yoga mat and 2 blocks, there was plenty of equipment but space was limited given the # of people but I had plenty of room to warrior and downward dog my heart out. Nicole was great at explaining the positions and as it was a yoga flow class we went from 1 move to the next for a full hour. Wow!!! was it intense yet relaxing, I could tell my flexibility was improving as the class went on (used to be the sit and reach champ in jr high… not to bragging but bragging). Nicole was great because you could be a beginner or very advanced and she was very clear on the moves, how to modify and how to push yourself if you wanted more challenging poses… what was nice was that you just piled the mats to the side after the class and they take care of cleaning them, so I liked that I didn’t have to bring my own mat. After the class, we walked around and saw how great the trainers were at giving people many different exercises. All in all it was a outstanding experience, a little small but plenty of machines and equipment and keeping my fingers crossed that my wife or I win a free membership cause we would love to go there again.

First thing is this Equinox is different than most since its a smaller space… that being said it’s NOT WORTH THE MONEY for such a small gym (more on this later). Let’s start with the management of this place.
I used to be a member when Jon was GM and Sean was Asst GM. Things were fantastic. They really cared about the place and cared about it’s members. If something happened or needed attention Sean was there to help right away and Jon would follow up.
Then both left a few more came and went as they moved on.
Then came Michele… and I had to leave. I’ve never met anyone who cared less about the customer experience. I introduced myself since I had been a VIP member for years. She looked at me like I just ruined her day by saying hello. Others in VIP said that she always acted that way towards them as well. Seemed like she just wanted to collect the money and thats it. After a few complaints about cleanliness I asked to speak to her. She clearly didn’t care what I had to say. My complaint wasn’t addressed and if possible, she grew even colder.
Over my time there except for a few workers the maintenance went DOWNHILL fast. The maintenance manager Dan or David (Something with a D), was nice but I realized that either he was just faking his concern for what I brought to his attention OR his staff just didn’t listen or respect him. No matter what… Areas WE’RE NOT ALWAYS CLEANED as they should have been. The steamroom seemed to be cleaned once and month. Showers were quickly cleaned and mold and soap scum could be seen easily. The bathrooms were cleaned but supplies were always running out like toilet paper, hand towels and soap. Lotions and soaps were constantly running low all over the locker room. Towels were overflowing or running low. Many times members were waiting for towels to be brought to the locker room.
Many times maintenance crew members could be seen and heard yelling at each other or talking about current members. UNPROFESSIONAL. Also when a machine went down it would take weeks to be fixed. I thought maintenance would take care of it but always an outside company had to come in.
The VIP experience is just semi better lockers, fruit and fiji water. Eventually I wanted to stop paying for «Luxury» that wasn’t much in terms of what it offered.
Rob however was great (membership person) always said hello and seemed genuine. The trainers seemed knowledgable but OVERPRICED (FFC offers more for less). The space is small compared to a normal gym. Also some of the equipment is older. Friendly front desk staff. Not normal hours, especially on the weekends. Why pay so much for less time?!
I’m writing this because I tried coming back again because a friend was talking about going there. I wanted to see if things had changed… NO

I am their member since 2013, the place are awesome. And their staff are nice and helpful plus the membership fee are cheap.
Anyway, i love this place!

For an Equinox, I thought this place was pretty sub-​par. I came here for an event and was totally taken aback by the lack of amenities one would expect from a place like this. First off, the yoga mats were disgusting and seemed like they had never been cleaned. Mine was rancid. The spin bikes and locker rooms are totally outdated. Basically, the only redeeming quality I found was the free kehiels (which I guess is what your gym membership goes to). Thanks, Equinox, for hosting the event but I’ll be sticking to the CAC.

What i don’t understand about equinox is they expect you to pay 10 times more per month for the «luxury «experience
But they’re open for business ½ the hours of their competition
Like 24: hour fitness and LA fitness
Equinox is a joke and a waste of money
Especially when it comes to being open to work out
Equinox is NOT a luxury

So finally after 6 months sean Herron came through with his promise and he made sure my money got refunded. I am sorry sean for doubting your intentions and thanks for getting my money back.

Great location for Equinox and always friendly and helpful staff. Never really been too crowded it seems during the peak lunch hours either — best gym in area for sure!

Excellent gym! Always clean, very nice staff. Great selection of equipment that is maintained well. The trainers are actually very good and knowledgeable. Robert is awesome. I love coming on Saturdays when its slow and going berserk.

I’m borderline obsessed with this place. I was a member for about 5 years and have had the best experience here. Everyone is so incredibly friendly, helpful, and welcoming, the classes are amazing (seriously, the best workout anyone could get in 45 minutes), and the instructors are so knowledgable and motivating. The actual facility is clean, there are plenty of cardio and strength machines/​equipment, and they carry Kiehl’s products in the locker rooms (I would swim in the Crème de Corps if I could). I really don’t know what more you could ask for in a great gym — this place is the best.

So I’m still in love with Equinox! I’ve been a member since 2010 and I can’t see myself anywhere else.
The staff is amazing and everyone knows me by name.
If you’re serious about a gym– come check it out. You won’t be disappointed!

I belong to two gyms Equinox and East Bank Club. Each one for different reasons. Equinox is closer to my office so I can get a workout in even on short notice and has the best (I mean the most creative, intense, thoughtful, you know you’ve gotten a great workout) classes. And the level of the instructors is fantastic. At some gyms there is an instructor, or two, that are part of a «cult of personality» and their classes are very full. At Equinox all of the instructors, and personal trainers, are at such a high professional level that any class you go to will be fantastic. Exercise machines can be anywhere but Equinox classes can’t be beat.

Okay so I’ve been a member for nearly 6 months now so I think it’s time for me to post the glowing review that I’ve always give to other people when they ask me about it.
I’m obsessed with this gym– it’s definitely a splurge each month, but the dynamic, challenging classes, awesome trainers and clean facilities make it worth it for me. The staff try really hard to learn your name, so they make me feel like a regular, which you know, makes me feel awesome like I’m a regular gym-​goer and dedicated workout-​er or something…
The Loop location is never really that crowded. I’m always shocked that there is never really a wait for anything, even during lunch or right after work. If they are available, I always try and chat with the floor trainers, who are all super friendly and eager to help you with your workout. I figure that if they aren’t busy talking to people, they usually just circle around the gym, passing out towels and turning dumbbells so the numbers face the right direction, so why not meet some of the staff and pick up a few workout tips?
If I’m not working out on my own, I take the awesome classes, which kick my butt every time. My favorites are Whipped (this one is a calorie-​scorcher… you will sweat), spin with Julie Valenti, and the yoga classes. The classes rotate each quarter, so there is always a chance to try something new.
Lastly, the locker rooms are impeccable. The cleaning staff are always picking up, mopping, cleaning mirrors, etc. For a neat freak like me, this is the absolute best part of the gym– I never feel like I have to worry about picking up a disease if I touch anything. Also, they use Kiehl’s products, which I’ve never used before I joined but have grown to love.
A+, definitely check it out!

This is a review purely based on the facilities itself and not the price… which make it a lot easier to give this a higher rating than others. My girlfriend brought me here with her 1 day pass and it was a fantastic experience. First thing I noticed about this place is how clean it is. Everything here was just so pristine from the dumbbells which looked like they had brand new labels to the floor mats which look like they are given an hourly rubdown. The showers and the bathrooms were in great shape as I saw multiple cleaning people inside during my stay. The gym itself has some of the newest fitness equipment here which was great! First time I ever used a TRX machine, and now I know why most of my favorite MMA fighters use it to supplement their workouts. Additionally there are tons of fitness attendants here who are just waiting to help you out.
But some of the best things about the gym are things I just don’t find in other gyms. For example they have an easily accessible stash of foam rollers right next to the matts. I didn’t even know what one was until my girlfriend told me she uses them to stretch out her muscles. Then came the cold eucalyptus towels which were a huge reward after a long workout. The cold minty feel of the towels on my skin left my drained muscles feeling revitalized. Since this place goes above and beyond, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see a gatorade fountain somewhere hehe

A bit too pricey for an only decent gym.
I’m assuming people pay the extra cost for convenience and ambiance. The monthly dues are between 150 – 165 a month depending on if you want access to all the locations. The staff is very friendly however at times the membership advisers can be a bit pushy with selling you the gym.
If you are familiar with the area there is a Women’s Workout World next door. Their membership is about 30 dollars a month. They have the SAME equipment!
They don’t have the latest Cybex, Crosstrainers or Ellipticals which surprised me since the gym is more in the pricey range. The spin room would be the crown jewel of the facilities as they do have the latest spin bikes but all the other cardio equipment is a bit outdated.
I took a Latin/​Hip Hop Cardio dance class here. The instructor came but had to leave for an emergency which is understandable. His replacement was a good instructor. Very energetic! However the class was only 40 minutes long! I hate when instructors do that since it is nice to have a good 55 minute class.
The gym also has fitness advisers on hand to help stretch you out, hand you towels if need be and answer any questions which is nice.
The showers are also very LOVELY ¹⁰⁄₁₀ for that! They have Kiehl’s products! But of course you can buy that for yourself at home and save 100 dollars a month on a gym membership!
Overall, I think if you are willing to pay 150 – 165 dollars a month for a gym you might as well join the BEST gym in Chicago which is the East Bank Club, hands down!

An Equinox membership is a big monthly splurge for me, but it is worth every penny. It’s priceless to feel like there’s a little home-​away-​from home that I can go to on lunch breaks from the office. Every employee is warm, personable and encouraging. I’ve been to almost every class and I’ve yet to find a less-​than-​stellar instructor, though I happen to think the real stand-​outs are the Yoga classes. The most crowded the Loop location gets is at noon during the work week, yet even then, I’ve never had to wait to use any equipment. The real cherry on top of the Equinox experience is the cleanliness of the gym — floor to ceiling it’s completely spotless, chilled eucalyptus towels for the gym floor and warm fluffy towels for the showers, fresh orchids in the women’s locker room.
The only thing I wish I could change is that having a locker amounts to a 30% hike in monthly fees. For my monthly dues, I’d at least like to store my gym bag there over night. However, for the amenities, atmosphere, and resources, I give Equinox the full 5 stars.

On a quick business trip to Chicago, I did not want to miss out on a workout. Thus, my good old friend Equinox is there to save the day. This particular location is right in the heart of the financial district, and is great for people to sneak in a workout after work. During my visit, I decided to stop on by around 4−5pm. Surprisingly, there was not a crowd, which is always a definite plus.
This location is pretty small in comparison to the other clubs in Chicago and across the country, but that’s understandable considering the location. The first floor is dedicated to the juice/​salad bar, front desk, and the little offices for the membership advisors. The second floor is where you’ll find your locker rooms, weight/​cardio area, and your dance/​spinning studios. Right off the bat, I realized that although the workout area is small, the locker rooms are quite spacious. There are plenty of lockers and changing room to accommodate everyone, and there is also a sauna and steam room that some smaller Equinoxs do not have. On the downside, there are only about 8 shower stalls, so I can imagine that during peak hours, people will sometimes have to wait to use the shower.
For the weight room, there is pretty much all you need here that you’d find at any other club. When I was there, I did not have to wait for any machine, so the lack of extra machines was not an issue to me. There are plenty of cardio machines, and of course, they are right next to the amazing eucalyptus towels! On the downside, there aren’t a whole lot of free weights, and I couldn’t find any kettle balls when I was trying to get my workout in.
All in all, this is a great location if you work in the area, or just looking for a quick workout. I’d definitely check with your work if you can squeeze out a corporate discount with Equinox cause any saving is a good saving. Although this location is small, it isn’t super crowded, and has just about 80% of all the things you’d find at a full fledged club. Equinox is Equinox, and in the end, there is nothing that will sway me to another club. I love Equinox!

If you can afford a luxury Gym membership and not a large initiation fee, this is the gym for you. I have been a member at a number of the clubs and you get what you pay for! This place was always clean. The steam room was cleaned twice or more a day, the sauna had cedar benches Vs the 2X4 pine benches you get an Xsport and you can put water on the Sauna rocks with the water provided in the actual Sauna. The gym was never so crowded that you had to wait for a machine to open, cant say the same for other gyms I belong to currently or had belonged to in the past.
Equinox has it all, but you also pay the price for it, the monthly is twice the amount of Lifetime and 3 times the price of Xsport. I would say if Equinox had additional locations and didn’t charge so much for multi location membership, I would most certainly go back.

This gym is state of the art, super clean — no sweaty, musty odors anywhere — steam room, sauna, locker rooms with everything a girl would need to get ready for work, spin studio (again, cleaned after every class, always looks brand new), pilates studio (includes all all the mats, kettlebells, bags, dumbells, etc) used for kickboxing, cardio, pilates, etc.
I’m excited to change it up this week and work out here, I have a free week trial membership. Staff is wonderful, no pressure. They don’t have to. This is a gym with 110.00/month membership fee, one year contract — members here are serious, you won’t find that meat market setting. Most members seem to be professionals that work in the Loop. They don’t pack their gyms, I was told that you will always find a treadmill.
The price is a little steep for me (minus the star).