FFC Elmhurst — Local services in Elmhurst

I've been using FFC gym for approximately a year now. I chose FFC because I wanted a clean facility with extra amenities and conveniences. I did not choose the slightly more expensive all-location package, because I do not commute along the "FFC highway" of locations.

There are 3 big reasons why you would want FFC. 1. Amenities, conveniences and cleanliness. The place is clean as heck. It has a bar, a small restaurant for smoothies and stuff, a second convenience store on the third floor, a warm yoga room, It looks great, it doesn't smell, the equipment is beautiful and brand new, and you're paying for it... Perhaps too much. that leads to the second reason... 2. classes. I think that the main reason why you would want to use this gym is because there are several classes included in the price. There are also really simple subscription-based personal training and more rigorous classes that are available to you. 3. If you are a suburb-to-chicago commuter, FFC lines the metro all the way downtown. So, even if you accidentally get off at the wrong stop on the way back from the office, you won't miss your workout... They're right there at the station.

The things I really love about this place are the rooftop pool, the clean coed steamroom, the whirlpool, the indoor lap pool, the decent variety of machines and racks, the brand new and clean equipment, etc. The thing I really hate about this place are the teenagers. Rare is the day I do not see a soccer mom whipping up onto the curb in her late model Infiniti SUV land yacht with her son and all his friends and dropping them off for a luxurious spa experience of loitering all the nicest areas in the gym after school like an adolescent daycare for well-off folks. These loud, drippy, spotted wobbling squids dominate the relaxation areas of the gym when they're not wandering aimlessly through the pedestrian paths like they have no depth perception nor purpose in life. My lady friend has made complaints of teenagers in the women's locker room taking pictures where people are changing, and I just find that completely intolerable. With a monthly of nearly $200 for a one-couple household, I think I should be able to expect some pointed attitude toward these kids.

Non-paying children is a problem, but I realize that it's a difficult thing to solve. Many of these folks were marketed to by calling this place "family friendly". Well, X-sport express is technically family friendly. It's just nobody wants to be there unless they have some real personal impetus to improve themselves or maintain some level of fitness. Who WANTS to go to a gym that smells like carrion covered in Lysol, where the AC may or may not be working, and the squat rack is occupied for the foreseeable future unless you're there for fitness? Still, I do feel like i should be able to spend more to get more, and part of that being not sharing that space with...

I’ve been a member at FFC for a while now and overall, I do enjoy my experience here. I’ve tried several FFC locations, and each one has its own unique vibe, which I appreciate. Some locations definitely deliver a more luxurious experience for the price, while others fall a bit short, especially considering how expensive this club is compared to others in the area.

When it comes to classes, I feel like they could be more intense. I’ve been to other clubs like Lifetime and Midtown, both of which are priced similarly or even slightly less, yet their classes tend to be far more challenging. At Lifetime, for example, the instructors really push you, and you leave each class feeling like you truly worked hard and broke a sweat. Even some hot classes at FFC don’t always feel like they live up to that standard.

Midtown, on the other hand, provides a fully luxurious experience, and their pricing reflects that. If you’re going to market yourself as a high-end club, the amenities should match. The steam room at my location is often out of service, there’s no sauna (only select FFC locations, like Chicago, have them), and the Jacuzzi often feels like it needs better maintenance and cleaning.

Another thing to point out is the pool situation. Both Lifetime and Midtown have significantly larger pools with better spaces, including features like slides, which add to the overall experience and justify their pricing more effectively

I currently pay a lot for two people at this location, which feels steep compared to other clubs with similar or better amenities. While the location is very convenient for me, and I do appreciate that it’s not overcrowded, I feel like the overall experience should better reflect the price point when compared to other gyms offering more value and luxury for the cost. I truly believe FFC has potential but could elevate the experience with some key improvements.

(I love this club, this is just feedback and advice if you’re comparing clubs! Also my own...

I am very upset. Perhaps the owner is unaware of what his employees continue to put me through. I used to be a member right before Covid…the Elmhurst location had a lot of issues with the high schoolers that attended the gym and failed us by doing absolutely nothing. I remember countless times trying to workout on the 3rd floor to only get rocks and eggs thrown at my friend and I from the high schoolers across on the roof of the parking garage. We had gotten injured and the gym’s managers didn’t care. I remember some really inappropriate behavior happening on a number of occasions from the high schoolers entering the pool and in the women’s locker rooms..management did nothing. I remember getting harassed by an employee worker at this gym management did nothing…I ended my membership bc the gym failed me and my friends countless times.

Flash forward to 2 years ago..received a text message to give the gym a try again bc it’s been some time, decided what the heck - only to get a phone call saying, “you are not allowed here anymore bc you are not a good fit.?!?” Ahhhhh okay. I told them then to lose my information and not text me, email me or call me about anything..since they are going to treat people like crap..

Flash forward to today, got a text from Connor asking me to come in for a day pass, um how do you have my information??? I asked if he read the notes on my account - he said there are no notes.

At this point I am frustrated. I am upset bc of that last person who sent me a nasty email and a nasty phone call. Yeah the gym is nice, the owner is even a nice guy but his workers treat people like garbage and act as though they can get away...