Recreation Center of Highland Park

I’ve been coming here for the past year to use the track and I have to say that it’s great except for when that old man’s working the upstairs desk because… it’s not so much what he complains about because at times it’s valid —- it’s the fact that in all my days/​nights of using the facility, he’s the ONLY ONE who ever complains to me about anything. You’d think he owned the place. And I’ve spoken to a few other people that he rubs the wrong way, as well. Besides the fact that he’s the only one who confronts me, it’s the MANNER in which he does it. In times past, he’d grumble about something but I’d try to get on his good side and think that maybe then he’d leave me alone. Let me tell you, this man doesn’t have a good side. I’m not a member and he knows it so maybe that’s why he’s always nitpicking me to death because I guarantee you that no paying member would put up with him, but after tonight I know for a fact that when the time comes that I decide to expand on my fitness routine and get a gym membership, it’ll be at L.A. Fitness.

I feel really lucky to get to use this facility. The equipment is really well kept and sanitized regularly. The people of highland park take pride in keeping it clean. The facility is beautiful, especially the yoga class room over looking the golf course.
Locker rooms: excellent. You don’t even need to bring in a lock! Always kept clean.
Staff: extremely friendly and superb. I love going to the classes, especially yoga. My husband and I come here often and have gotten to know the staff here. We really enjoy chit chatting with the group
Price: it’s not cheap, but not terrible. When you go regularly, it’s worth it. You get the classes included, which is huge for me.
There are times where the gym is packed, but it’s rare to have difficulty getting to your machine or weights
There is a pool, basketball courts, classes (including cycling), a track, and plenty of weights and cardio machines.
I wish there was a sauna and hot tub! Only downfall of this place. Hopefully in the future we will get it.

This is a Highland Park public facility and I can’t believe how nice it is. Even as a Highland Park resident you either have to pay a membership fee or purchase a day pass. Even so, it is less expensive than a private facility and just as nice.
We have been members since its opening and I have to say it keeps getting better. The customer service has greatly improved since its infancy. The service personnel are friendly and most are knowledgeable. They have made some recent changes and group classes are now included in the price of your membership.
I highly recommend the personal training here. For a super reasonable price you can get either a 30 or 60 minute session. There are quite a few trainers available, one to fit every personality and training style. My preference is for Justin.

I’ve been a member of the Rec center since I was in High School. It’s a great facility, with lots of machines to use– plenty of ellipticals of different kinds, stationary bikes, stairmasters, treadmills, and ergs, as well as weight training machines and a free weight area. They have lots of big plasma tvs with a range of channels on, both in front of the cardio equipment and in the weight training area. There’s an indoor swimming pool downstairs, as well as several open basketball courts, an indoor track, and a few rooms for fitness classes, including TRX.
I love it for the personal training… Hey there Justin! You’re awesome.
We’ve had a few customer service issues over the years, but they’ve all been handled really well. There are a few things, though, worth noting, for anyone considering a membership there: 1) the hours are pretty restrictive, with them closing at 7:30 pm on weekend evenings and 9:45 pm on weekday evenings… and noon on most federal holidays, 2) members still have to pay (only $ 4, but still) for fitness classes and 3) during the rec’s yearly cleaning week in the summer, they used to let members come to fitness classes in lieue of working out… no more!
Since this is a public facility, it attracts a really diverse clientele– which I really like! Makes for great people-​watching… the old people trying to get/​stay fit, the hyperactive moms, the high school beefheads, the former high school beefheads back from college… And if you live in HP, plenty of people you know who just want to feel healthy and look good.