Great Facility

Great Facility

I have been a member on and off for 5 years. I have had 4 joint replacements. This is the only affordable Chicago area gym that has NuSteps and handicap accessible bike machines (sort of recumbent).
There is an elevator for folks in wheelchairs and with walkers. There are 2 pools. The East Pool is totally handicap accessible (nice and warm, too) and the West Pool is sort of accessible. There are many classes that are included with your regular membership. There are steam rooms in the ladies' and mens' changing area, hot tubs at both pools and a sauna. There is a therapy pool for PT exercises. Towels provided and very large shower facilities plus a unisex assisted shower/toilet facility. All areas are well-staffed.
To save money you can wait for a membership drive so you don't have to pay the hefty signing fee. There is a safe parking lot for members. There is a reasonably priced daycare for kiddos. If you have the unlimited membership some daycare visits are included monthly.

There are a few cons;
1. The price (a littler high) and their billing practices (inflexible). There is a reduced membership for low income application BUT it takes quite a long time to process and is very involved. It also has to be renewed or is only good for a year. I am not sure if it is renewable. On the plus side if you are in PT at Galter you can get a special membership price while in physical therapy.
2. Too many private swim lessons in East Pool during the afternoons.
3. A banked oval track which is not great to walk around. Whoever was the track designer should be ashamed of themselves. The physical therapist all hate the track and wish it could be "fixed".
4. The front desk folks are a little clueless at times, depending on the work shift.
5. The front handicap entrance has too high of thresholds for wheelchairs. I know this is true as I started out in a wheelchair.
6. The pools are shallow if you are a serious swimmer. Some might find this aggravating.