Ask Chicagoist: January Gym Deals?

By Thales Exoo in Miscellaneous on Jan 5, 2007 5:15PM

Chicagoist:

Future Gym Rat

Dear FGR,

Cheers to you on your healthy choices for 2007! You're going to stick with it, right? Grab those carrot sticks instead of that tasty-looking carrot cake? Go to the gym instead of rearranging your closet? Or maybe that one's just our excuse ...

It's January, and January means throngs of people like you want to join gyms in the spirit of new beginnings. And, sadly, most people will probably not keep it up much past February. The gym owners know this, so they try to entice people in who probably won't use the equipment much in April, but will be locked into paying. Insidious? Sure. But, FGR, this works out to your advantage, because YOU aren't one of the people who will drop out, right? You'll be sweating along beside Chicagoist come next September, won't you?!

Speaking of sweating alongside Chicagoist — if you're a gym newbie, please keep in mind some basic gym etiquette before you go. You'll fit in better alongside the veterans, you won't be scoffed at by the regulars, and you'll probably feel more confident and comfortable.

• Don't hog the machines. If you're doing multiple sets, don't just sit there and work on your knitting while you're resting. Give it up and give someone else a chance.
• On that same note, don't just jump in there when someone appears to be done but is still meandering around the machine — ask first if they're done, or if you can do a quick set while they're resting.
• You might want to have a plan and know how to use the equipment before heading in during rush hour — you'll avoid looking like a deer in the headlights, and you won't hold everyone else up (and get trampled) as they're bustling around the room on a mission.
• The sweat left behind as you make your way around the room? Ew. Clean it up! For the love of all that is holy, bring along a towel! When you're done using equipment, clean it off and put it away (if applicable) so everyone else knows where to find it.
• Turn down the volume on your iPod to a level that doesn't broadcast your guilty-pleasure workout track list to the entire room, and make any cell conversations quick and quiet (keep that heart rate up, quit yapping!).

Special New Year's deals range from waiving the initiation fee to reduced rates on monthly dues to free T-shirts. Keep in mind that not all gyms are created equal, so find one that suits your needs before you find one with a killer January deal. Plus, a lack of an initiation fee may not be too significant when the monthly rate is so exorbitant it seems like more ilicit favors should be included as well.

We're sure we missed the best deal ever at your favorite gym in the city, so leave a comment with your additions to our list, which is after the jump. Many gyms not listed may have great deals all the time; we just concentrated on the ones with specials in January. Contact the clubs for more details and rate information.

• B & W Gym
  5920 N. Ridge Ave. / 773-561-9692
  All of 2007 for $207.
• Cheetah
  5248 N. Clark, 773-728-7777 / 5838 N. Broadway, 773-728-6600 / 1934 W. North, 773-394-5900
  At the Clark and Broadway locations, no initiation fee, $20 registration fee, and one month free with one-year contract. No specials at the North Avenue location.
• Chicago Park District
  Multiple locations in Chicago
  Workout for free January 8 - 14.
• Crunch
  Five Chicago locations / 1-888-2-CRUNCH
  "A$$ Backwards Crunch Count-Up" — Initiation Fee in January equals the day of the month.
• David Barton Gym
  600 W. Chicago Ave. / 312-836-9127
  No enrollment fee in January.
• Galter Life Center
  5157 N. Francisco Ave. / 773-878-9936
  $150 off initiation fee in January.
• Holmes Place
  355 E. Grand Ave. / 312-467-1111
  No joining fee, free personal training session, $50 Mondial Spa gift certificate.
• Lakeshore Athletic Club
  441 N. Wabash, 312-644-4880 / 211 N. Stetson, 312-616-9000 / 1320 W. Fullerton, 773-477-9888 / 333 E. Ontario, 312 944-4546
  Join in January, get February free.
• Lincoln Park Athletic Club / West Loop Athletic Club
  1019 W. Diversey Parkway, 773-529-2022 / 1380 W. Randolph St., 312-850-4667
  Join in January for $75 fee.
• Webster Fitness Club
  957 W. Webster Ave. / 773-248-2006
  Join in January, don't pay until February.
• Women's Workout World
  Nine Chicagoland locations
  No enrollment fee, $23 for the first month, and free personalized program through January 15.
• YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
  Multiple locations in Chicago.
  $0 "Joiner Fee" and free T-shirt (while supplies last) from January 2 - 15.

Image via axeldeviaje.

Didn't read the fine print? Need some advice? Email ask(at)chicagoist(dot)com.