Grunting, groaning, overzealous aerobics instructors and bad music: It's easy to see why going to the gym is an acquired taste. But if you've made a resolution to get in better shape this year—or you're feeling guilty about overindulging at holiday parties—don't just go to your local gym and begrudgingly sign a one-year contract; try a personal training studio or boutique gym instead. Most of these places aren't cheap, but the comfortable atmosphere, one-on-one attention, customized workouts and a schedule that can fit around your life will make the extra cash well worth it. Here are a few of our favorite places that will get you started on the road to being a lean, mean, health and fitness machine.
John Hall Studios
Don't let the pics on the website fool you: The West Town to West Loop transplant, John Hall Studios, isn't a sports-specific training facility and is much more focused on whole body training. Open space makes up the bulk of the large, clean studio, so Hall and his crew of trainers can get inventive with their workouts. Functional movements are big here, and workouts incorporate everything from the power plate to monkey bars to medicine balls. Whatever the workout, it will surely be effective. Hall prides himself on only hiring trainers—and taking on clients—who are serious about results because, after all, it's his name at stake. "All new clients have to buy a 10-pack up front," he says. "This lets us know you're as serious as we are about getting in shape." Ten sessions with John cost about $1,500, $1,000 with another trainer.
HiFi Personal Fitness
Gregg Shipp credits much of the success of HiFi, a Lincoln Park personal training studio that he co-owns with his twin brother Drew, to luck. But he's just being modest. In business for more than 13 years, HiFi is better defined as a boutique gym rather than a personal training studio. Instead of making a nominal fee off of a pre-set rate, trainers pay HiFi to rent its space and set their own rates for clients. The 10,000-square-foot studio is full of bright colors and tons of open floor space for functional fitness workouts. Shipp says the privacy and relaxed atmosphere is a big draw for local chefs and celebrities. HiFi has smaller locker rooms, each with two showers, and also offers massage, facials and waxings and free parking. Prices vary based on the trainer, but package deals are always the cheaper way to go.
Citywide Super Slow
At the city's only Super Slow facility, trainers take you through a series of weight training exercises at an extremely slow (10 seconds to lift and 10 seconds to lower) but fluid pace. Working the muscle almost to the point of failure will leave you shaking and trembling until it's impossible to lift the weight. This stimulates the muscles to become larger (not bulkier) and causes the metabolism to speed up. No music plays; sessions only last 30 minutes; there are no mirrors or grunting and facial distorting is discouraged—all things that would take your focus off the challenging task at hand. In addition to being a quick, intense workout that you only do once or twice a week, no other training or cardio is needed. "The intense workout stimulates all systems in the body," says Theresa Snyder, co-owner. "When you start with the leg press, working the largest area of muscles first, you're asking your body to work hard so it gets your heart rate going." Individual sessions cost $57, while package rates offer nominal discounts.
Bulldog Bootcamp
The city of Chicago serves as your gym during a Bulldog Bootcamp workout. Five days a week for four- or twelve-week sessions, classes meet at Grant Park and Lincoln Park (also in South Barrington) to get people in shape "the old fashioned way—with sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, running and a whole lot of sweat," as its website puts it. The group is much larger than you'll find at other alterna-gyms, and part of the appeal is the relationships formed with other bulldogs. Classes meet early in the morning or in the evening, even when there's snow on the ground and super cold outside. But your heart will be pumping so fast that you'll hardly notice the chill in the air. Sessions start at $160, and Bulldog requires that you can at least speed walk for a full mile.
Soulistic Studio Spa
Equal parts spa and mind-body studio, Soulistic is a fitness haven located steps away from the Chicago Blue Line. Pilates, yoga, circuit kickboxing, prenatal classes, salsa aerobics and West African dance are just a few of the courses offered here, and since sessions are kept small (some have as few as five participants), instructors can give personal attention to each student. There are also private pilates (mat and reformer) workouts for those who prefer to go at it alone. In addition to a large studio, Soulistic has personal treatment rooms for massage (Thai, deep tissue and more), organic facials and waxings, a steam room and a special sauna that uses infrared light for a deep detox. You won't have to shell out a membership fee (pay for all classes per session or purchase a set package rate), but with the luxe accents, cool decor and thoughtful attitude toward whole-body wellness, this studio will make you feel like a member of a fancy private spa.
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