Good training pool in downtown chicago?

Triathlon Forum
1

Going there on business any recs on where to stay or go?

2

Couple of options that I am aware of:

  1. Peninsula, Chicago As the best indoor hotel lap pool in the U.S., swimming guests staying at the Peninsula will be awed. The three-lane, 25-meter lap option with floating lines and bottom stripes is a beauty. Don’t fret the hotel website’s online picture, which omits the lane divisions. Photographers purposely removed the “ugly” lines and stripes for “artistic” reasons. The remainder of the photo is accurate, including the high ceilings and bright atmosphere. (Source: Active.com http://www.active.com/travel/articles/North_America_s_10_Best_Hotel_Lap_Pools.htm?page=2(

  2. I stayed at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers and they directed me to a local gym within walking distance right over the river. Great pool in the basement of a 4 story gym in the middle of Chicago. I forget the gym name but I am sure the hotel would be able to give you directions.

3

There’s a pool in the Fitness Formula Club in Union Station (very close to the Sears… I mean Willis… Tower). It’s 25M and there are often other triathletes training there. Not sure if they sell day-passes, but it would be worth checking: http://fitnessformulaclubs.com/. There’s also a Bally’s near Washington and State that has a pool. It’s not as nice, but it is a pool and is ~25M. I think they do sell day-passes (But again, not positive). Those are the only two places right in the Loop area that I know of with a pool.

Depending on where you’re staying and your transportation situation, you might try googling “Chicago Blue Dolphins” - they’re a Masters team that swims at the UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) pool, which is pretty close to downtown… I haven’t swam with them but I believe they are pretty friendly and would let you join them.

4

Hebs is right, the Blue Dolphins masters swim group swims at the UIC natatorium called the UIC PEB (physical education building) they’re really friendly and I’m pretty sure they would let you join them. In terms of location it is only 3-4 miles away from the sears/“willis” tower. It’s just off the intersection of Halsted and Roosevelt and if you’re willing to pay for public transportation or a cab would be a quick trip from most of the hotels in Chicago. Or…the triathlete inside can take over and you could run there from downtown, I normally run from the south side to the north side. There’s some pretty interesting inclines as a result of the small bridges all over the city.