Gym Recomendations - Chicago

[built4superspd]

Any recs on gyms to consider or to avoid in Chicago?
For joining? For temporary use while visiting?

Rec for what reasons: serious lifting, bodybuilding, inspiration, eyecandy, gay/straight.

[Mdlftr]

I'm almost certain I wrote a review of this:

The David Barton gym in Chicago,near the river, about 6 blocks west of Water Tower Place. Located in a renovated factory on the ground floor of an apartment building.

Expensive: $25 for an out of town single visit. Great facilities: steam room, Eucalyptus steam room, free shampoo, shaving gear, conditioner and lotion, towels. Equipment is a combination of free weights and machines. Can't remember machine brand: Cybex, maybe?

Very atmospheric: mood lighting, lots of shadows. Obviously this is a gym "experience". The Chinese four poster bed in the hallway is an interesting and incomprehensible touch.

The gym staff looks like they are out of central casting for "hot, built, multi-ethnic, bodybuilder down to fitness model types." Friendly enough.

Great one shot experience while traveling. If I were in another city with a David Barton gym I'd good for a reward while traveling.

Mdlftr

[built4superspd]

Thanks, midlftr !

[Chi-town]

If you're around the Boystown/Lakeview area, you've got several options:
1) Quads, which is the hardcore gym. Mentioned in Muscle & Fitness some years back. A ton of equipment, almost like a warehouse. I've only been there once myself, but I didn't find it at all intimidating. Pretty wide range of body types; 99% male.
2) Fitness Formula (FF) on Halsted, which used to be the gay gym in the neighborhood. I used to belong to this one; it's good. Diverse male/female crowd. FF has several locations thru the city.
3) Lakeview Athletic Club (LVAC), on Broadway. The (relative) newcomer. Haven't been there, but it's one of a chain that has a good reputation. No idea what the clientele is composed of, but I'll assume a diverse (and young) male/female mix.