Crunch Fitness - Mount Prospect — Local services in Wheeling Township

I’ve been going to this Crunch location for almost two years now. I enjoy working out here and it’s a very convenient location for me. The staff is friendly, the sauna is a solid amenity, and the drink selection at the front is helpful — especially when I forget my own water bottle. That said, there are a few core areas that need attention. I’m leaving this feedback in hopes that improvements are made, because I’d really like to continue going here long-term.

Bathrooms: The men’s bathroom needs some serious upkeep. The urinals frequently have nicotine pouches in them, and their close spacing is uncomfortable. The floor mats have blue foam that looks unhygienic, and the sink area is often below standard. Soap dispensers are usually jammed or empty, and for a while the hand dryers didn’t work — the temporary solution was wet rolls of paper towels. Adding a permanent paper towel dispenser would help. The middle stall in the men’s bathroom has no lock, and the sink water pressure and temperature are inconsistent.

Equipment: There are only four adjustable cable stations, which tend to break down often. The fixed cables on the ends aren’t as versatile or smooth. There’s also a lack of essential equipment: • Stairmasters are never all working at once, and sometimes the steps glitch. • Only two adjustable pec decks, which are always in use. • Clips for barbells are constantly missing; I’ve had to ask the front desk for them multiple times. • Dumbbells don’t include 12.5, 17.5, or 22.5 lb weights — only 10, 15, 20, etc., which makes progression harder. • Limited cable attachments — only one decent close-grip handle, and I’ve seen people bring their own MAG grips, which should really be provided by the gym.

Steam Room: The steam room is currently open but non-functional, with a vacuum and cords left inside. There’s no signage indicating it’s out of order.

Water Access: There’s no water bottle filling station — only water fountains, which have an odd taste. I usually have to twist the spout and awkwardly fill my bottle that way.

Good Things: • Staff: Always friendly, welcoming, and helpful. • Sauna: Great size and temperature — a big part in recovery. • Drinks: Wide selection of beverages at the front. • Music: Even though I use headphones, the music playing in the gym is usually great.

⸻

Final note: I’m only leaving this review because I genuinely want this gym to be the best it can be. I enjoy coming here, but these issues have been persistent. I’d love to see some updates and fixes that match the quality of the staff...

I've been a member for over a year and I can definitely agree with all the other reviews written. Crunch used to be a decent gym, but it's gone downhill. Every other treadmill is broken and they haven't been fixed in months. I've only seen technicians in here ONCE or maybe TWICE to fix them and even then, I don't think they were fixed. The steam room in the women's locker room has been broken for as long as I can remember. The sauna is constantly broken/out of service.The hydro massage is also broken. I asked the front desk when it would be fixed and they said they had no idea.. These are amenities that people want, come for AND PAY FOR. The staff is underpaid and definitely don't want to be here. They drop like flies. Gigi, however, is the sweetest and most helpful out of everyone here. I love coming in and seeing her welcoming smile. It's always nice to talk and catch up with her. She deserves a raise! Same with trainers. I've seen them go through handfuls of employees at a time. I feel like every time I come in, there's a new face. The cleaning lady even talks about how she hates it here and I haven't seen her in over a week. I'm currently on the treadmill typing this and the woman next to me RUNNING FULL SPEED, her treadmill randomly stopped and gave an alert saying "key down". That's beyond dangerous. What am I paying a BASE membership of $20 for? I could only imagine how the people who pay more money for a membership feel. Not to mention, they never charge me the same time every month. Isn't that part of a membership? Getting charged the same date every month? I'd suggest taking your service...

I went through my insurance to join Crunch, so thankfully, I did not have to muscle my way out of a membership with them after my first visit.

When I went in to register for a pass, I went through the standard sign up process with the employee behind the desk, I believe his name was Paul. This included taking a head shot. Since I came in with the intention of working out, I had my hair up, no makeup, etc. so I jokingly went "oh gosh, haha, ok..." to which Paul replied "Just think of this as your before picture."

I do not need to be part of a gym where the employees pass judgement on my appearance, when that was not even what I was referring to when I jokingly expressed my reservations about taking a picture. How could that possibly create an environment where I feel motivated to work out and make myself better? Truthfully, it made me feel very embarrassed. What Paul and the rest of Crunch fitness don't know was that at the time I went in to sign up for classes, I had lost 70 pounds already from my starting weight. So, no, that photo was not in fact my before picture.

I'm sure his intention was not to make me feel bad about myself, but I found his lack of judgement extremely poor. Nothing else about the equipment available or the environment was compelling enough for me to want to keep going in.

I won't be going back here...