Urban Athlete

Love Urban! Knowledgeable trainers. Friendly staff. Fun workouts. Badass, state of the art equipment. Community vibes. What more could you ask for?

If possible I would give Urban Athlete (UA) a sixth star. Having been part of the UA «Family» since 2013, I have watched the gym grow and become one of the premier gyms on the north side of Chicago. UA is not your typical gym. You are not a number and bar code that is scanned when you walk in the front door — but a member of a tight knit community all working together to help you achieve your fitness and overall health goals. Each individual’s needs are accessed and a personalized program is developed for each individual. A holistic approach to fitness incorporating personal training, team training featuring a vast array of classes, and nutritional guidance (clean eating challenges) provides members a variety of avenues in which to participate (believe me you won’t get bored.) Add in a spin class a couple of times a week and a relaxing trip to the beautiful new steam rooms and you will know you have found a gym you can call home.
If you are looking for results — UA is the place for you. The trainers will put you through your paces. The team training classes are designed to motivate and get you into the gym. The classes are tough and developed to make the time you spend at the gym very efficient — great for those of us who have a tight schedule. The focus of each class is different and mixes things up which prevents you from «plateauing» (one of the most frustrating things individuals face when training.) All you need to do is show up ready to sweat and your workout is planned for you. Each class incorporates overall body strengthening, endurance, core strengthening, kettlebells, cardio etc… If you are looking for a more individualized one-​on-​one experience the personal trainers are all certified and there to help you reach your specific goals. The trainer’s focus is on you — not their cell phone. A workout régime tailored to your personal strengths and to address weaknesses such as injuries are all important aspects of your relationship with your personal trainer. It is very important to note that the UA trainers are very knowledgeable in helping you to overcome and heal injuries while still being able to maintain a regular workout schedule.
It is easy to get into a rut when going to the gym — not a problem at Urban Athlete. This is a gym that is constantly evolving and growing to meet the needs of its members — as is evidenced by the beautiful new facility conveniently located on Ravenswoood just south of Lawrence Avenue. Its easy to stop in before or after work for a great workout. Once again UA makes it easy to get in and out of the gym easily — everything is taken care of for you — towel service — soap — shampoo — shaving cream are — etc… are all provided. Stop in and talk to one of the managers — AJ, Nelle, or Grant — or any of the other outstanding staff members. The minute you walk through the font door you will know that you are not at a typical gym.

Great local gym! They specialize in group classes, semi-​private personal training (small group) and 1-​on-​1 personal training. I started here a month ago and decided to go with 1-​on-​1 personal training. My coach is great! The pounds I packed on over summer (24 #‘s in total, ya it was the summer of tacos and margaritas) are melting off. The space is very nice, super clean with über posh locker rooms. Highly recommend giving them a try!

I’ve been a member of UA for 8 months now and love it. It’s the 1^st gym I actually continuously used for this long. Also the 1^st gym where I started to see physical results! The staff are great and pay a lot of attention to you in the classes. Correcting posture, offering modifiers if you can’t do certain exercises, and answering any questions you may have. It’s a small gym with a big heart! I recently moved inconveniently far, but I’m still a member and make it in when I can. A great variety of classes as well.

I have been a member of Urban Athlete since I first moved to Ravenswood in October. My cousin/​roommate is also a member and we frequent the gym after work and occasionally before work. I am a competitive athlete and my cousin Ryan is simply trying to be more fit. The facility is a great fit for both of us.
The staff is spectacular. We don’t have tags with barcodes on them which enumerate us as recurring revenue for our gym. Every member of the staff knows Ryan and I by name and greet us with a smile and salutation every time we walk in the door. The community is small and tight knit. Everyone supports each other’s goals and wants to learn from each other.
Ryan and I train independently but have sought advice from Urban Athlete’s trainers on more than one occasion. Our questions were handled thoughtful, accurately and politely. As someone who has been around fitness for most of my life I recognize that the trainers care less about having their clients leave the gym exhausted and in pain but rather focus on the quality of their clients’ movement. They train their clients to be functional and fit. The trainers have the knowledge and the soft tissue certifications to help repair broken motor patterns.
The facilities themselves are not massive. They reflect the community. They are tight knit, and intimate. That’s not to say they aren’t adequate. They have a wide array of equipment to accommodate anything from simple resistance training to advanced metabolic conditioning.
I strongly recommend this gym to anyone seeking to build a lasting relationship with fitness. Urban Athlete has the people and the resources to make any level athlete successful.
Cheers,
Dustin

I wanted to love UA. The facility is convenient, clean, and beautiful. I’m also obsessed with their signature towlette and soap scent– weird, I know. I wish I could bottle that and take it with me!
The ownership and staff is extremely nice and supportive, especially AJ and Nelle. I took one class with Grant and it was one of the best workouts I’ve ever had. I wish I could budget for the small group training because that looked like it was a great, functional workout with more concentrated instructor attention.
My one major gripe that has ultimately led me to cancel is that, although classes are scheduled for 45 minutes, I found them to be more frequently in the 30 minute range, with at least one class ending right around 30 minutes. Time is money! Especially at over $ 100/​month.

Joining UA was the best investment I made for myself in 2015.
When I started, I was out of shape and feeling overall blah. I got my butt handed to me for the first few weeks, but I kept going back because I knew I had found something special. It’s been a little over a year now and I can’t believe how far I’ve come — I could barely do a push-​up when I arrived or hold a plank for more than 30 seconds and now I can do both without much effort. I’m undoubtedly the strongest and most fit I’ve been since my collegiate swimming days. It’s amazing watching your body transform from all the hard work.
I never could have gotten to where I am without the awesome team at UA. When you walk in the door, the staff know you and it’s a welcoming environment — you’re not just a number like at the large corporate gyms. The space is beautiful, clean, and organized. The equipment is new and well kept, and there’s always a friendly hand to help you if you have a question about a machine, etc.
The classes are what really separate this gym from the others. UA offers over a dozen different classes that allow you to mix it up and keep things interesting. No class is ever the same and you never know what to expect since each instructor adds their own twist. Even after a year, I’m never bored and always challenged. Another benefit is the small class size (most cap at 12 or 14 people), so you never feel like a squished sardine.
One of the best things about this gym is the camaraderie between members. There is zero competition, no loud moaning, or crazies who try to push themselves way too hard to impress others. This is a friendly environment where everyone supports each other and has one common goal: to get stronger.
And of course none of this would be possible without the incredible staff. Every instructor is awesome in their own way and they always encourage you to keep going. They are the nicest, most genuine, and hard working group I’ve come across in this line of work. I’m constantly impressed by their enthusiasm and professionalism. Not once in this past year has a class been canceled because an instructor did not show up – that really says something. They are truly committed to helping you become the best you.
If you want to be pushed to new limits and become the strongest you, then UA is the place. You will not regret signing up, especially once summer rolls around!
THANK YOU, UA!

I have been going to Urban Athlete for just over a year now and like it more and more all the time. I currently have and have had memberships in many of the area larger gyms and joined UA looking for smaller classes with more emphasis on weight training and learning proper form for maximum benefit. UA has not only lived up to what I was hoping it would be, but has exceeded my expectations.
In the year I have been with UA, I have not had the exact same class twice. The classes will challenge you, make you sweat, and make you stronger. The trainers will be tough, knowledgeable, fun, and engaging and the classes will be small enough that the trainers can pay attention to you. Personally, I have had two running injuries over the past year and the trainers took the time to find out what the injuries were and helped me to continue to work out and stay fit and active while healing.
UA is a smart business that is growing in a smart way-​the new space (which is so nice!), adding new classes and trainers, but never losing the small business/​gym feel. You will see AJ and Nelle on site, training or leading classes.
I have taken classes with most of the trainers-​AJ, Nelle, Jack, Greg, Grant, Jamison, and Emily-​each one has their own style and all will make you work hard-​which is exactly what I was looking for. The trainers get to know your name or your face and all are so welcoming. I also love the small gym/​community feel from my fellow gym-​goers, everyone is nice and friendly and supports each other while we sweat through a workout.
I honestly can’t say enough good things about this gym, what I have gained from it, and how much I love being part of the UA community!

I almost barfed after my first workout at UA, and it never got easier. That was a very, very good thing.
If you feel like you’re putting in the time but not getting the results you want, go take a class at Urban Athlete. Sometimes the only way to make progress is to step outside your comfort zone. AJ, Nelle, Greg, Grant, Jack, Jaime and the rest of the team at UA will push you outside your comfort zone and keep you there for the entire 45 minute workout. After 3 years of classes, I’m still shocked that you can accomplish so much in such a short time. It is, without a doubt, the most efficient workout in the city. The first few weeks will be rough. You will definitely be sore. If you can stick it out for 10 classes, you’ll be hooked. Pair that up with an Eat Clean Challenge and you’ll be on the way to completely transforming your body.
After moving out of the neighborhood, I do not miss my old apartment, my easy commute to work, the things I had within walking distance, or really anything else. I do miss the crap out of this gym, though. Between the space, staff, community and overall value, there is absolutely nothing like it.

My girlfriend and I moved to Ravenswood recently from another neighborhood and we’re lucky to find we lived close to a wonderful and relatively new gym Urban Athlete. It features quality equipment, clean facilities, and an extremely friendly and helpful staff. It’s a functional fitness haven, which for me personally is a much welcomed change to big box gyms with machines (and people) everywhere. It’s not the largest gym in the world but they utilize their space for classes and personal training efficiently and despite its smaller size I have never experienced over crowding.
We will be moving out of Chicago soon and unfortunately there are no UA locations where we are headed. That’s really the reason for this review. My girlfriend and I wanted to make sure Urban Athlete got the props they deserve. Though our time as a member was short lived, it really is an awesome place and one couldn’t ask for a more welcoming environment. We only hope our new city will have a facility and staff that will rival the one of Urban Athlete Ravenswood.

Absolutely love this place! This is the most dedicated I have been to a gym and these guys make it work. I look forward to my class every single day. There’s an amazing choice of classes and amazing bunch of trainers. Aj, Nelle, Jameson, Jamie, Grant, Jack, Emily, Angie… love them all.
Fab job all of you… my best Gym experience to date!!!

I love Urban Athlete and highly recommend it to anyone looking to get fit. They offer a variety of killer workouts at a great new space! The staff is knowledgeable and welcoming!

This is my gym… do i own it? No. But it is the only place i have found on my fitness journey that i am proud to be affiliated with. I have no qualms nor do I hold back when asked what gym I go to. It is a question that I love to answer because it gives me the opportunity to describe above all the people (yeah staff), the culture, the environment, the facilities, and my results.
So lets do just that here. The people: Starting with AJ. Man oh man, this guy is crazy awesome. He has pushed me beyond what I thought I could do, he has supported me when I wanted to give up, he has moved schedules around in order to make time/​staff available for me. It is so great to walk in, be called by your name and know that the person saying hi is someone that knows where you have been! Then there is Nelle — AMAZING! So tough yet so smart. Grant (my personal trainer), disciplined, determined and committed to get you results. He is knowledgeable, sharp, challenging in his routines. Jaime — true definition of joyful and fun all while making you sweat. Jack — innovative in his training, you never do the same exercise twice. Greg — I’ve only worked out a couple of times with and he is sweet-​looking but means nothing but business, so results driven. There are other trainers that I have not had much of a chance to train with, but classes are so well attended, you bet they have to be good!
The culture at UA is very clear… we are here to work out! None of this standing around posing and looking «cute». Come in, work hard, give it your all, leave exhausted, enjoy the results. At the same time so much support. I can ask any trainer a question and they will always respond. I have never seen a trainer on their cell phone while training a client (you know you have seen this happen all too often at other gyms). The only time they use their phones is to adjust the music. Yeah they care about what music you are listening to while in a group class. They have the power to change it. No drama, no pretentiousness, no bs… that’s UA.
The environment — There is a sense of community here, although you may not know the person next to you, we know we are there to get our sweat on. So the environment to me is not stressed… its the best way i can describe. Dont get it twisted, its not a «day at the spa» but it is not stressed.
The facilities — I was a member at the old location, and man oh man, they made the best use of every single inch of that space. The new space boasts of additional space which allows for more equipment, it offers more amenities and is spotless clean!
My results — Several years back i suffered from chronic migraines and was 40lbs heavier. Always feeling sluggish and tired. I decided that i would not go down like that and got off my butt and started on this journey of being healthier. Shed the weight, started to eat much better and work out regularly. Running has been an issue for me but to-​date i have ran over ten 5ks and looking to do my first 10k in 2016. Migraines are gone, much more energetic. I have received so much support and guidance from the crew at Urban Athlete, not sure i could have done this without them.

I’ve been going to this gym for several years now and I’m finally getting around to writing a review. A few years back I was involved in a car accident and broke my shoulders. Physical Therapy did wonders, but I came to the point where I got too strong and my therapist said I should get a personal trainer to take me to the next level. That’s when I came across Urban Athlete and I’m not regretting it one bit. In the beginning they had some turnover with their trainers, which made it hard, because I had to explain everything all over again. But then I ended up with Nelle and my life has changed since then. To this day I’m still having issues with my injury, but Nelle exactly knows where she can push me harder and where we need to be careful. Her understanding of muscles and joints is quite impressive. But if you think she’s just focusing on my shoulder — wrong! She really trains my entire body and kicks my butt wherever and whenever I need it. After being there for 2 years, I can honestly say that I am in the best shape I’ve ever been (and I’m in my late 30s), thanks to Urban Athlete. This is a small gym with lots of personal attention. It’s absolutely non-​pretentious, the classes are fun, the new interior is beautiful and the trainers are really good!

My boyfriend and I started using Urban Athlete back in March, when they were in their old location. We fell in love with them then, and we’re still in love with them! The new location is beautiful and all of the trainers are fantastic, hardcore, and attentive. I love the variety in classes and the fact that the same routines aren’t repeated. I can take the same class 2 days in a row and it’s a whole different routine, which definitely helps to keep me motivated. I also love that they offer clean eating classes. I’ve been a member at other gyms in the area and nothing compares to what Urban Athlete has to offer. I can’t say enough good things about them!

My husband and I joined this gym shortly after moving here, and we couldn’t be happier! This is a mostly group/​class based environment. I had never done classes before and I absolutely love it. It really pushes you.
I love doing the high intensity interval training workouts. You get a great combination of cardio, lifting, and stretching. I’m definitely getting better workouts here than I ever have before.
All of the trainers that I have worked with so far here have been awesome. There well educated, and are there to help you along the way. You can definitely go at your own pace, but they’re also there to help support and push you.
We use a variety of equipment, too, which makes it interesting and never quite the same class twice. We use Basu balls, ropes, kettle bells, steps, TRX… To name a few!
Also, I think it’s important to mention that this gym is not pretentious. You can go here and work out not feel like you’re in a pageant or singles bar. Everyone is friendly and there to sweat!

When I moved to Chicago from San Francisco, I was looking for a type of gym that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I am not a naturally athletic person. I need a nurturing environment that will simultaneously kick my _​_​_​, and like a lot of people, I get bored easily but crave routine. I first came to Urban Athlete in August (then at their old location) and I was so impressed by both the people who worked there and the people who were members, both of whom were relaxed, but clearly dedicated to the gym. Now that they’re at their new location, the facilities reflect the quality of the trainers and the programs: it’s a gorgeous space with awesome and diverse equipment unique to the Urban Athlete experience (and the bathrooms are DOPE).
Autumn, who works at the front desk, is always smiling and remembered my name after the first time I gave it to her. I love the classes here. Even if you take the same classes over and over, you will never have the same combination of exercises. As to be expected, each trainer has a unique approach to the same curriculum. When I need a good workout but am feeling stressed, I like Jamie’s CSC class. She is extremely laid back and often incorporates yoga movements. When I’m hungover on Saturday morning and just need some Blink-​182 in my life, I take Jamison’s higher energy class. And if these variations aren’t enough, don’t worry: there’s about a million choices of classes to take that are constantly changing and being added onto. I continually come to this gym and feel challenged but not overwhelmed or overexerted by their programs. AJ and Nelle are clearly all about their clients, and isn’t that what a gym should be?
Most importantly, Urban Athlete isn’t an intimidating environment for being fit or being in shape, it’s about personal wellness, and that philosophy is part of everything they do. This place is the real deal.

Urban Athlete has me enjoying the gym again. I joined UA when they were at their old location, but the move a few blocks North cemented what is my best experience with a gym, ever.
People
From the friendly «hello» by Autumn at the front desk, to the ability to talk directly to the owners, AJ and Nelle, and just a lot of down-​to-​earth clients who don’t take themselves too seriously (but do want to get healthier), all make this a great place to join. I’m always comfortable working out here with both the trainers and fellow members around.
Facilities
I’m a huge fan of the new space. This is the gym I’d build for myself if I had a warehouse and a whole lotta cash. There’s a great locker room, a cycle studio, a class studio, and a workout/​equipment room that meets the balance of limited space, a lot of equipment, and thoughtful layout so that you can get your workout done and not trip all over people. The facility is always clean and the climate control is solid.
Training and Classes
The training mentality at Urban Athlete is designed to suit the needs of each member. They find out, early on, what your state of mind is regarding training, your goals, and the amount of «push» you need. Then, they customize your plan based on the feedback you give. I never feel pressured, but I appreciate the motivation I get when I need it.
You have three options at UA when you join: Personal Training + Gym/​Class, Semi-​Private Training + Gym/​Class, or simply Gym/​Class access.
I decided to use a trainer (Grant) for the first time ever, and the results have been terrific. Not only have I made great strides in my own workouts, my sessions with Grant have me walking away with a stronger core (my personal goal) and a knowledge about physical health I didn’t have before. I can’t recommend him enough if you decide on a trainer.
I never took classes before joining Urban Athlete, but I now take a few routinely (Urban Flow yoga and Urban Restore yoga with Jaime) and some when I feel like it (Urban CSC and Urban Power). The other people in my classes are just like me, not trying to kill ourselves, but wanting to get in shape and needing the push a class setting can give.
Bottom Line
If you are looking to get more than the «economy gym» experience, then Urban Athlete is a terrific option to consider for all of the reasons above. AJ and crew should be proud of what they’ve built over the years in Urban Athlete, because it’s impressive.

God, I love this gym. It’s my local gym, I live in the Lincoln Square area. First found out about it through Groupon last March and decided I needed a new routine (I was doing Barre and outdoor running/​biking). I stuck around because I really could not be happier with it! The owner Aj is so personable and really knows his stuff and the trainers are fun and motivating, also very knowledgeable.
The new location is BEAUTIFUL– new cycling room, gorgeous locker rooms, cool layout, good class space, good music sound, some treadmills and cardio machines. I only take small-​group classes (which are about 45 minutes) and am extremely happy with the options for class types and times. I think there are like 15 different class types (maybe more!) so something for everyone. I normally am a 5am’er as I’m an early bird so it’s great to have such an early option because a lot of places do not.
They have such a good variety of work outs going on and I’m telling you I never leave feeling like I could’ve done more! And if I do that’s only my own lazy fault lol. There is a great mix of people that come in here too, which I love. You’ve got younger, older, male, female, athletes, beginners, etc. No matter your body type or activity level coming in, they make you feel comfortable and push you to your goals.
Altogether, it’s a great neighborhood gym vibe, love that everybody knows your face and name, and very effective and efficient classes!

I love this place. In early 2013 I decided I really needed to get into better shape, but most gyms seemed VERY intimidating and I felt I really needed personal attention. I checked out one of the group training classes at UA, and though I couldn’t quite handle them because I was in such poor shape, I liked the vibe of this place and signed up for twice-​weekly personal training. So I have gone from someone who would not set foot in a gym to someone who HATES missing a training session. I lost 30 pounds in the first three months and over the past 30 months I have gotten into the best shape of my life. This gym is for every age group – most clients are fairly young but I just turned 60. The staff really feels like a family to me. I like Urban Athlete so much that I got their logo tattooed on my arm. After all, they were responsible for GETTING me the biceps I have today!
And the new gym – which is just up the street from the previous location – is incredible! Lots of new features and five times the space. If you’re looking for personal attention, don’t look to a place like LA Fitness for it; just walk a block south on Ravenswood and check out Urban Athlete instead.