Reviews of FFC South Loop (Gym)

Eli Yazdi

FFC is the best franchise gym in the Chicago area that I've been a member of. Locks are built into the lockers, staff is friendly, equipment is sufficient, steam room is relaxing, and their space is clean. Thank you.

Ali Hessami

Good gym overall with nice equipment, and the staff are excellent. Monthly/yearly price might be the final deciding factor.

Drew Patenaude

Good gym for a fair price. Rarely too busy. Best overall Package in South Loop Imo

Greg Weber

Great gym to workout at. Lots of room and machines, and the machine are all in good working order. The staff is very friendly, especially the trainers. Pretty clean too, the staff are constantly wiping down machines.

andrea b

Been a member for six years. It's overcrowded almost all the time, mostly with multiple trainers taking over every area. Group fitness classes are hit or miss. They schedule a lot of things at inconvenient times for people who work. The locker rooms were recently remodeled but I'm not sure what was done. There is only one hand dryer for at least 5 sinks and they don't provide paper towels. The manager is responsive and nice but nothing really changes for the better. Now they have put heart rate screens all over the club, including classrooms. They are distracting and run the same ads over and over and over. A trip here is anything but relaxing.

Kevin McIlvain

Such a great community! Very welcoming. Super clean gym, not too crowded during peak hours. Also very knowledgeable and friendly professional trainer staff. My wife and I used our complimentary personal training sessions on their Pilates studio (full equipment) and we loved it. Great balance of group classes and weight lifting.

Adrian Coleoglou

Excellent gym..!!

Craig Herkal

Unfortunately, I found that it was easy to start a membership at FFC, but very difficult to change it. My wife and I were members; I attempted to end my membership after about 18 months, while continuing hers. At first I heard from three successive South Loop employees that I would have to come in because this type of change was too complex to handle over the phone. Since that seemed odd, was not a viable option for me to meet when the right membership employees were present, and definitely was not what the guy who signed us up as members said we would have to do ("just call me" he said; yeah, right), I kept elevating the question. I finally received an email from "billing" with directions that I would have to cancel and my wife would have to establish her own membership. A few days later, she visited the club, heard from an employee that my membership had been cancelled, and provided a new credit card number to bill. However, two days later we received another email that explained that, in fact, her visit (and the South Loop employee's stated understanding at that time) was not good enough, that my wife had just managed to change the account billing, not the account itself. We would have to try again, and apparently select from the inconsistent voices at FFC the correct path to make the very simple change we sought. It is hard for me to believe that this sort of customer-unfriendly system exists. It seems pervasive in the health club sector, even as it is fading from view in all other areas. Even cell phone companies don't require contracts or onerous hoop-jumping efforts to change the type of service an individual receives. Yet FFC does. Eventually, health clubs will change too. Disappointing that it hasn't happened yet.

Michael Perez

Clean facilities, friendly staff, open early/late, updated equipment. All things needed for a great workout.

Margaret Larkin

Large gym with several machines and weights. Interesting that they have a children's area as well. Not as clean as the Gold Coast location, but seems decent enough. It's right next to the El so is a convenient location. Advice for joining: based on the negative reviews about pushy sales tactics, you should join at another location because I don't think they all operate that way. And then after you join elsewhere in a more pleasant environment, go to this gym if it's more convenient for you.

Shaquille Powell

My trainer, Devin Hartman and I have been working together for almost two months now. I am extremely impressed with my results thus far. He’s very knowledgeable on all the different types of workout routines but also keeps me informed about what I should and shouldn’t be eating. Eat, train and grow is his motto and I’ve been doing exactly that. I’m very pleased!

Edward Hsyeh

Great gym, except there's this awkward place right where the weights are and the cardio machines. But definitely better than FFC Lakeview

The Guy who Likes to take Pictures

1 of the best gyms I've been associated with since living in Chicago.

Elliott Vaughn

Always clean and the equipment I want to use, no matter the time of day, is readily available. The staff is very friendly and the GM is the best. Can’t recommend the gym enough.

Jenna Urbanski

I joined FFC South Loop about a month ago when I moved to Chicago. I joined the gym so I could lose weight and gain muscle mass. In order for me to achieve these goals, I signed up to work out with a personal trainer twice a week. I started personal training with Devin Hartman my first week at the gym. I can already tell that I am slimming down and becoming stronger! Devin has been a great trainer to work with. He is on time and always happy when I show up for my sessions. I like that Devin is able to keep me motivated during the hour long session. He is consistently changing up my workouts with new exercises, throwing out inspirational quotes when we train (especially when I start to complain and get tired), and he also makes sure that I am pushing myself every day I am in the gym working out without him. When I am at the gym training without Devin, I have a personalized plan to reference that Devin created just for me. This plan is awesome! It explains what I need to do and it even includes pictures to show me how to do the exercises. Devin also holds me accountable by having me track my food calories every day. Overall training with Devin has been great and I would recommend him to anyone who is looking to start training with a personal trainer.

Cynthia Miller

I love the variety and challenge of each workout. I feel special afterwards. Superb!!

Jason

Has everything you need. Doesn't get too crowded. Free weights are poorly organized/racked.

Harrison Keith Green

Great FFC club. Not overbearing like other mega-health clubs thus providing more personalized service. Excellent staff and great customer service! Facilities are very clean which is a must for me !

Rachel Coley

This morning I had a workout with PT Brad Parks, and it was great. He gave clear instructions while being attentive and encouraging - and helped me push myself more than I would have done if I'd been working out on my own. His enthusiasm made the workout fun, and I would recommend him to others who may feel like a newbie to the weights section (like I did), and want to feel more confident in knowing how to use the equipment properly!

Thomas D

Not too crowded, we'll maintained machines and helpful staff. Although the 24h pass is pretty expensive (30$), if you go there on two succeeding days it's worth it!

Briana Kline

Clean and friendly! Could use more Pilates staff but all else is outstanding!!

Daniel Chien

Membership staff tends to feel like I'm talking to a used car dealership salesman; up-selling with a hint of smoke and mirrors. A lot of features in this car, but you can't just buy the standard. For the minimal price, you will not feel like you are getting the maximum return at this Southloop FFC location. But regardless of the negative reviews, they have an amazing location with only one real competitor within walking distance.

Lane Warrior

The greatest gym in chicago. A home away from home. The only place where you can count on reliable staff and equipment to help reach your potential.

Natalia Salazar

I joined FFC about 3 months ago and I’ve nothing but positive things to say about this gym. The staff are great and courteous, the place is super clean and I’ve been working with an outstanding trainer from the time I joined. Devin Hartman is extremely professional, polite and he is really good about trying to understand what your goals are for each workout. I am a very busy person and often times I am very tired by the time I make it to the gym, but Devin is extremely good about sensing what your energy levels are that day and giving you a workout that will be challenging but still fun. Above all he wants you to stay motivated and enjoy every step of your fitness journey. I highly recommend him!!! Trust me, he will make you work hard but you’ll start seeing results super fast and that will only keep you encouraged!

Timothy Faraci

This gym is the horror story you hear your friends talk about. The staff is pushy to try to make a sale. They will call and harass you over and over again even after you ask them to stop. Won't give you prices until you sign paperwork. The worst part is that it is VERY expensive here compared to other gyms in the area. If you are going to pay more you should get more. Unfortunately not. Stay away from this place if possible until they fix their practices.

william white

FFS FFC ! Why the telemarketing to cell phones ?!??!???

Rachael Ferrell

I joined FFC because my favorite trainer in the world, Devin Hartman, recently started working here. I have been training with Devin for 4 months. I seriously can't recommend him enough. I have lost over 20 pounds and gained so much more from my time with Devin. He pushes you and challenges you all while making the workout fun. If you are on a journey to get healthy, gain some muscle or looking for a change in your normal workout routine, don't look any farther, Devin is the absolute best personal trainer! The gym is great too! It's clean, has all the equipment you need for a successful workout and a friendly staff! My daughter especially loves the childcare at South Loop location.

Jin Xing

Their hot water is not hot.

Greg Mackey

Great place but awkward layout. The machines are spread out awkwardly. Example... chest machines are in the back and up front. Why not just keep them grouped? Also there is a big wasted area in front, idk why. They can add more fore sure. They need another. Very clean gym and the staff are nice. Showers are ok nothing fancy like a midtown.

james bond

Ease up on the auto-dialer recorded message telemarketing campaign. SAD!

Brandon Neely

I am relatively new to FFC but have loved my experience so far. Facilities are clean and there are great classes offered each day. The personal training has been my favorite aspect so far. I’ve been working with Brad Parks a few weeks now and truly feel the investment that he has in helpin me to reach my fitness goals.

Tyederrious Crutcher

Great gym - very clean, nice staff, great equipment, and great value for membership price.

Jeremy Carter

I am a beginners level weight lifter who decided to try out FFC South Loop's Personal Training service in order to get a solid jump start. I happened to choose Devin Hartman as my trainer and words really cannot describe how happy I am with my decision. Over the last 3 months, Devin has not only helped me with building an effective workout and dietary nutrition plan, motivation to get the most out of every workout and anatomy education in regards to the detailed benefits of each and every workout... but he has done it all with a charismatic and uplifting personality. Devin helped me actually start LOOKING FORWARD to hitting the gym (which was no small feat) and he effectively removed the mystery and uncertainty that was attached to the idea of working out by simplifying his approach and tailoring a workout plan specifically for my body type and experience level. And most importantly... HE PRODUCED RESULTS! I am already getting bigger, stronger and more defined. Devin clearly has a passion for fitness and helping others achieve their goals. I HIGHLY recommend him to ANYONE looking to change their body. You will not be disappointed. The rest of the FFC staff is great as well!

Christopher Hieb

Gym and staff are great except for the arrogant, judgmental, meathead that works the front desk weeknights. Dude needs to get off his pedestal and learn a thing or two about customer service. Muscles will only get you so far princess. The rest of the front desk staff are lovely!