McCormick Tribune YMCA

This YMCA has a great staff, up to date equipment, and is a relaxing as well as comfortable place to workout.

I’ve only been going for a couple of months, but this is definitely a family oriented place with all the good of a big box gym. They offer free and paid classes for both children and adults.
They have something for eveyone. There is also a pool coming up next year. Also, and this is very important. The cost for what you are getting is a huge value. They have certified instructors for all their classes, and all the staff in the day care are all CPR certified.
They have free tours, check them out.

I love this place. Great great price, especially if you get a family plan with some family or friends (they don’t care if you live together or not). The facility is solid and it’s going to get even better and nicer; they are doing some amazing renovations in the next year or so. They have pictures of what it will look like in the lobby and I can’t wait! Pool will be added soon. Everyone who works there is super friendly and I love the regulars in the gym as well. Very happy I switched to this gym.

I only have ever utilized the Head Start Daycare, After-​school and Summer Camp Programs at this YMCA. I remember when I a 7^th grader in Ames Middle School I came to the ground breaking ceremony of this YMCA. That was over 10 years ago and the location, is still super clean and well maintained.
I applied for the Head Start Daycare Program for my son when he was 3 yrs old, based on a referral from a friend. The application process is done through Ms. Elsa, and she is very nice and helpful to work with. My son was able to start the next day and he loved it. He was sent home with homework and different projects all the time. The children are fed well balanced and nutritious meals and they provide the kids with toothbrushes and ensure the children wash their hands several times daily. There is a small gated playground attached to the classrooms that are strictly for the children only.
After 1 yr in Head Start, my son graduated from the program and was prepared for Kindergarten. He learned how to spell his name, write his numbers to 100 and many other important skills to take with him in his new journey of education. The YMCA set up a lovely graduation party with a jumping castle and other fun activities. Now my older son is a 1^st grade honor roll student and my younger son is now attending YMCA Head Start in his big brothers old classroom. YMCA is amazing I recommend it to any parent who needs a daycare that actually cares to enrich and stimulate the minds of children in order to better prepare them for the future.

If you work a 9 – 5 during the week and have limited patience when it comes to bullshit, you’ve been warned about the Logan YMCA…
From January through the beginning of April, this place is super packed with New Year’s Resolutioners and it is impossible to find a machine between 5:30 and Close. What’s worse is, finding a free machine, going to find some cleaner and paper towels because the clients here don’t clean up after themselves and there are no designated staff members to clean in between machine users, so you come back with the cleaner and someone else has jumped on the (dirty) machine and you’re stuck waiting for another 30 – 45 minutes. There are also screaming children running around unattended at all times while their parents are in class and/​or are working out on the treadmill.
There is no pool, there are no towels, no security in the locker rooms to ensure your towel isn’t stolen while you’re in the shower, etc. You definitely get what you pay for — but this place is about $ 20 per month too expensive for what you actually get.
I was a member for 2.5 years but just got tired of the consistently increasing prices, stuff being swiped during my showers, and long waits for dirty machines. I’d 100% come back if they only stopped the kleptomaniacs.

Don’t get me wrong– I support and donate to the YMCA yearly– and I was an employee there for a long time too. The machines are fine, but it isn’t very big, and it sort of is a bummer that they don’t have a pool. I find their method of cleaning off machines to be pretty disgusting, partly because a) most people don’t do it, and b) everyone touching the bottles and that spray getting all over the place looks disgusting (if you want a good example, there’s a nasty door by the treadmills that is caked with bacteria from residual sprays). They have some pretty great classes, and there are usually a solid amount of machines. One of the treadmills is pretty messed up with their touch-​technology, and I’ve complained about the safety of it in the past. I like the gym overall, because it’s simple and usually pretty quiet (aside from the plethora of youth constantly loitering outside and using up machines). It’s a great community location, and I love that they are making a garden and doing great things for the Bloomingdale trail; I just sort of feel like the gym part is not their number one priority, and neither is the cleanliness (some of those mats are scary, and so are some of the weights).

Tried signing my daughter up for dance classes here. They allowed me to sign up even though the class had been cancelled weeks before. This was in April. I’m still waiting for my $ 120 refund that they allowed me to pay for a class that didn’t exist. I have called numerous times. The first time I was assured my refund would be arriving in 2 – 4 weeks. I called back to check on it and apparently it had never been filed. So this person assured me it would arrive in 2 – 4 weeks. Here I am 2 – 4 weeks later refundless and furious. Called today and was told I would get a call back within the hour. Never happened. This place is awful!

I love this place. I happily pay twice as much as I did at la fitness because this gym is so great. The classes are fun and the equipment is nice. I love the cute garden outside and steam room smells of eucalyptus. Definitely recommend this gym!

If you’re a basketball player trying to find a good in-​door court, this gym is not for you.
Many days I find my self wanting to play basketball, but going to the gym and playing is not an option. There are many activities that go on through out the day and very limited court time.
The court is also quite small, and when there is court time it is extremely hard to play because of the amount of people coming in to play at once. Many of the people can be a little ghetto, but if you can handle that (It took me time to learn how to get into games) then you’ll POSSIBLY get to play.
However, the staff here is extremely nice and they do so much for every member, and whatever it is you need.
The Workout room is great and never really gets crowded, there are many ellipticals and bikes. Even though I have never taken a class here, there are MANY free and (a small fee) paid classes to choose from.
Lastly, if you were looking for a pool you are out of luck, none here.

This Y is basically brand new! The work out area can get a little crowded after work hours, but I’ve never had a problem finding an open Treadmill. Most of the machines are newer and have TVs which is pretty nice too!
The staff are all super friendly, and the facilities are clean. The locker room is pretty standard, but they do have a steam room which is nice. Overall I really like this Y.

The workout area is pretty bare-​bones and feels a bit grungy, but it’s enough to complete most workouts. If you’re looking to do Olympic lifts, you’ll have to make do with bench press bars set up on the ground; the lack of a dedicated area to perform Olympic lifts is the biggest downside of McCormick Tribune YMCA. There’s also no pool, but that’s advertised when you sign up.
While I haven’t used them yet, the basketball and racquetball court areas are nice, and they always have classes going. The staff and people who come here are all friendly, which is a huge plus.

I’ve been gym shy ever since I stopped going to Women’s Workout World, where members (prisoners?) shat on the locker room floor with impunity.
In January, after becoming winded after a rousing rendition of Head Shoulders Knees and Toes with a group of children, I suddenly remembered that when I first moved to my current apartment (in 2008) one of the deciding factors was its close proximity to the YMCA. It only took me five years to finally go and become a member.
I like the no frills, no fuss ambience of the place, and I like supporting an institution that positively impacts my community. And everyone’s bowel control thus far has been impeccable. I’ll continue to sweat away on the faux hills of their treadmill machines for many a day, I’m sure.

Did you know you can take Pilates and other classes here without being a member? For members, it’s $ 15 for a quarter but it only goes up to $ 30 for a non-​member. That is a great deal for 3 months of Pilates twice a week! There are other great classes too!
I’ve been happy with my membership and I’m hoping more people will join (so that initiatives like putting in a pool and keeping the wide range of classes keep on going). If you’re on the fence, come and join.

I am going on year 2 of my membership here and I must say I really like this place. It is unpretentious (wanna work out in jeans and a button down? You found your home!), clean, and has ample machines and equipment to help the average gal get her fitness on.
The locker rooms are simple and clean, you have a few showers and a steam room for sweating out the sodium and booze leftover from the night before. The classes are friendly and fun and have good variety, and the equipment is modern and varied.
I give an A for the racquetball courts (nice bonus) and plenty of parking. Was here today (a warm summer Sunday around 1p-​3p) and my sister and I had our run of the weight machines.
Good bang for your buck if you aren’t into fitness as a fashion statement!

I have a friend that says, «I work out at the Y, the Y is the People’s gym.» He goes to Bally’s now but I like his quote.
Immaculately clean, super friendly staff, a mix of clientele, state of the art machinery, a variety of free and fee based classes, perfect climate, spacious, good for kids, good for adults, good for teens, good for me. The free weights and weight machines are superb.
My only recommendation is to install more sanitizing stations, especially one or two closer to the free weights.
I am going to have to give up my membership to this Y and start to attend a gym as well. It pains me to say this, for I believe am part of the People more than part of the others. But I am moving and the drive or bus trip or bike ride to this Y will be too long.
Goodbye dear friends at McCormick, I will really miss you. :(

Much improved! Big improvements have been made over the last few months here:
–New Life Fitness treadmills
–New Nautilus machines
–A couple new stationary bikes
–Purel stations everywhere
The only thing keeping this from Five stars is the lack of a swimming pool. Hey, there’s an empty field next door, perfect space for it. Let’s start a Capital Campaign!
Now, if I could just get my butt over here more frequently.

Even though it’s bothersome that I can’t often arrive here without humming Morrissey under my breath (and, occasionally, I’ll admit it, the Village People), this is my gym for better or for worse. I walked through its doors for the first time back in January completely clueless about what this «exercise thing» was, knowing only that I was turning 35 in April (maybe or maybe not the day I’m writing this review) and that I should probably start taking care of myself.
Turns out, this is one of those gyms that takes care of you.
On the first day that I walked up the stairs I got the tour and was told, «don’t worry, people here come in all shapes, sizes, and ability levels.» And it’s true. There are a few marathon trainers who cadences on the treadmills blind me and a few weight lifters whose chest muscles are as big as my head taking in creatine in the locker room. But, in general, it’s just folks who are trying to get into or stay in shape. And they’re not all dressed to impress (though there are some incredibly cute hipster girls here). I’ve actually seen people working out in leather jackets and boots.
Not that the machines don’t deserve better than to be beat down by someone working out in steel-​toed shitkickers. Despite the perception some people might have about «Y-​quality,» this location just got brand new machines last year. My favorite indisputable qualitied new thing, however, is the steam room. My more positive outlook on life this year is less the exercise itself than the meditation while chilling in the heat box.
There are a few negatives though, unfortunately. And the first does have to do with said room. People (at least in the men’s locker room), for some reason, seem to have no problem going in there naked. I rarely share food. I don’t like the idea of sharing germs from a dude before me’s hindquarters. These same folks walk around the locker room either still naked or in man panties.
Part of me wants to spend the money I save with the Y’s sliding scale membership rates and invest in boxer shorts for all the other male members so I don’t have to see their male members!
The other downside is since the Y is family friendly, there are tons of hyperactive children running around in the evenings while their parents work out. Especially during Zumba class for some reason. I thing Wednesday Zumba might translate into «let your kids crawl all over the rowing machine.»
All these aside, there’s a good free class schedule (one of these weeks, I’m going to wake up on time from Cycle class on Saturday or Sunday morning), generally short to no waits for machines, History Channel on the treadmills, and trainers who leave you alone and don’t try to push anything on you. And that alone is relief enough to keep going here.

The YMCA is sort of like the dive bar of gyms. I mean that in the best way possible. You’ve got to understand, the last gym I belonged to was David Barton (only because I worked in the building). Sure it was nice, pretty, had Bumble & Bumble products in the locker room (that I never used). But it also had a slew of vain gym rats, who hogged all of the free weights, spent far too much time in front of the mirror, walked around buck ass nekkid in the locker room (sorry I’m a bit more modest), and a «DJ» whose «unts-​ss-​unts-​ss-​unts-​ss» beats were impossible to tune out even while wearing headphones. At the time I didn’t mind, but now I realize that I just didn’t belong there.
I’m not saying the Y isn’t nice. It is. With all of the new improvements, it’s even nicer. What I like most about it is that everyone there is more relaxed — not looking to hook up, wearing old tshirts and sweats, and not cute little matching Lululemon outfits or cleavage-​revealing sports bras. Going back to my «dive bar» analogy — everyone’s there for one reason: to feel better.
They offer this «ActiveTrax» program which, after meeting with a trainer, assesses your physical state and then creates custom workouts you can print out at a kiosk in the exercise room. It’s pretty neat, and completely free.
I haven’t taken any classes yet, but they’re free for members! You can also take advantage of the «Away» program, which allows you to work out at ANY of the YMCA locations in the city, and plenty out of state, too!
The membership fee is moderate ($ 42/​mo) but if you make less than $ 45k a year, it’s based on your income!
Can you beat that?!

Like someone who sleeps around because they don’t like themselves, I’ve been around the block when it comes to working out cos I hate it. I have to alternate and switch it up between the Lakeview and McCormick Trib Y, the Bar Method and Dailey Method Studios.
McCormick Trib Y is my fav because they have addictive and challenging classes, I can do cardio afterward on treadmills w/​interval training programming. It’s clean and modern while still being economical. It’s also not the kinda place where girls get dressed up and paint on their faces to work out. it’s no xsport.
Try Muscle Sculpt on Saturdays to get toned and versed w/​the latest hits. Trish has a gift for pairing challenging reps to the just the right song even if it’s what I thought at the time, «Sets are on fire» by Kings of Leon. The mirrors in the Aerobics room are also floor to ceiling w/​no breaks or distortion so you can check yourself (before you wreck yourself).

This Y has stepped it up in recent months. They are offering more and better classes, they have an AWESOME daycare (which my 2 year old, who typically hates all daycares, loves!), a clean parking lot (does anyone care if it’s dirty? not sure, but this one is nice and clean), and a very responsive staff (in that they actually respond to comment cards).
This Y isn’t in the best location in Logan Square. And a couple years ago I know that there were a lot of thugs that would congregate nearby (or even play b-​ball in the gym) and make getting to and leaving this Y a bit uncomfortable (who the hell wants to feel uneasy when they’re going to work out, or trying to get home after working out? not me. certainly not my wife).
But I’ve noticed recently that the McCormick YMCA staff has been doing a lot to reach out to the youth in the community, encourage them to participate in making their neighborhood a safer one, and as a result, have helped to make the YMCA on Lawndale a much more pleasant place to work out.
Kudos to the McCormick Tribune YMCA!