Any Chicagoans that live/work in the loop have any recommendations for Gyms in the loop with pools? I’ve read a few of the reviews on Yelp about XSport and Equinox at Union Station, but I wanted to see I could get any recommendations on here. I work at State and Madison, so the closer to there the better.
I swim at FFC West Loop (Clinton and Madison) for addl pool time beyond group training. Not bad…usually warmer than you might prefer. Not a deep pool, 25y. But gets the job done and the gym is pretty nice.
I use Xsport in the burbs … It’s a decent enough pool to get it done … no real complaints and seems like a good value for the price in general
I am also at the FFC West Loop at Clinton/Madison. The pool is busy during the lunch hours and it’s a little shallow but the gym and pool were just renovated last year. The FFC at Union Station might be a little closer to your location, but the pool has fewer lanes than the West Loop location. An FFC membership will get you into any FFC gym in Chicago
I know there is also a pool at 440 South LaSalle, but the gym is a little $$$ compared to other locations in the loop http://www.bac-chicago.com/layout10.asp?id=152&page=2314
I’m usually at the FFC Union Station. Pool isn’t ever too crowded to get your work done. You’re right about the pool at Lasalle Club- its pretty expensive, and from eyeballing it, it looks pretty short.
I’m at FFC gold coast. A little north of the loop but rarely crowded.
LA Fitness at 55 E. Randolph has a decent pool. Similar to FFC, it is not deep, usually not too busy (only 3 lanes, but plenty wide for 2 people/lane) and only 25 yards.
Gets the job done.
How do you like LA Fitness? That’s the closest one to my office I have found. I’d love to be able to get over on my lunch break for some laps.
I wouldn’t give it an A+, but it is good for what I need. I’d say a solid B+. The locker room is clean. I’ve only had to wait a couple times for a lane in the pool. And even then, one usually opens up after about 10 minutes. Treadmills can be a bit difficult at peak times, similar to most gyms (especially this time of year). I just usually stretch nearby and keep an eye out for one to free up. As for weights, they have all you need. I know they have spin classes with bikes that look to be quite nice. However, I’ve never done the spin classes at this location.
Let me know if you have any specific questions. Happy to help!
There is a lap pool in the pedway just before the exit at Michigan ave. can’t remember the name of the club. Used to pass it all the time when I worked on Madison. That might be the same one mentioned at 50 e randolph
I work at Adams/Franklin and am a FFC member, I’m generally at the West Loop location for swimming and treadmill, since I don’t pay the higher rate to get into Union Station. XSport and LA Fitness are the 2 cheapest options that have pools, I’ve been considering changing to LA Fitness fore cost savings via a work discount.
FFC is a pretty nice place but LA Fitness would get the job done, though for me XSport would be pushing it. I used to belong to Equinox and while very nice I would need to live or work right next to one again to justify the cost.
That is LA Fitness’s pool. 
Used to be a member there, pool was fine when it was open but seemed to be closed for maintenance more than it should have been. I think it was something related to the HVAC. It’s a typical large chain, poorly run gym but it’s cheap. Gets the job done but set your expectations low.
That’s kind of what I’ve gathered. I’ve set my expectations pretty low. I mostly want to be able to get some laps in during the day, and have a place to shower if I want to ride to work.