The best spinning classes in Chicago are among a bevy of workouts to choose from in the city. With the lakefront to the east, the 606 to the west, an endless number of gyms, yoga studios and more, there's no excuse for not breaking a sweat. Whether you're looking to shake up your workout routine, squeeze in some extra cardio or just try something new, look no farther than Chicago's hottest spinning studios. We love these for their pumping playlists, competitive leaderboards and instructors that just don't let you quit.
The New York–based cycling studio has taken Chicago by storm, achieving the nearly impossible feat of making a 45-minute, high intensity cycling ride, "fun." With upbeat instructors, catchy hip-hop beats (rumor has it you might even catch a themed "Justin Bieber" ride every so often) and choreography, you might forget this is a calorie-blasting, full-body workout in the process.
After 28 years as a fitness instructor (and 15 as an indoor cycling instructor at East Bank Club), Emmy Blume opened Chicago's premier cycling studio to offer, well, a new spin on an old routine. The class selection boasts arguably the best cycling variety in the city—in addition to the standard "GO" classes (45 mins of cycling), you can also take GO CORE (cycling followed by 20 minutes of core sculpting), GO PUMP (cycling followed by 20 minutes of weights), GO YO (cycling followed by yoga) and GO SCULPT (cycling followed by intense sculpting with weights, bands and balls). Then there's TRX training—a 45-minute workout with suspension straps, and most recently GO ROW (yep, rowing!) has been added to the roster. Needless to say, you'll never fall into a workout rut here!
This boutique River North fitness studio offers yoga and high-intensity training classes, but perhaps coolest of all, is the spinning experience. Studio Three offers both 45- and 60-minute class options on brand-new Peloton bikes. The concert-like experience with stadium seating, professional lighting and a booming sound system is sure to keep you motivated—it also happens to be the only live Peloton broadcast studio in the U.S. outside of NYC. All spinning students are given free Peloton shoes to use for their workout. Other perks include the posh locker room with complimentary skincare products, a trendy clothing shop and a Real Good Juice Co. bar.
Full Psycle, a specialized workout facility solely composed of cycling programs and classes, is the creme de la cardio with an enthusiastic team of trainers, friendly competition-based workouts and detailed and personalized data tracking on your progress. You'll perform standard indoor cycling routines (a combination of hills, flats, intervals) while simultaneously using handweights to tone your abs, arms, back, shoulders and chest. Several membership packages are available as well as options to book by number of classes.
We’re breathless just thinking about the intense classes that lie ahead at this New York–based indoor cycling studio. The 45-bike space comes equipped with customized Schwinn bikes that allow students to track their progress—from calories burned to resistance to revolutions per minute. Race your classmates by following other students’ stats on TV monitors at the front of the room (you have the option to hide your stats, too). Clip-in shoes, unlimited bottled water and towels are available with each class.
Whether for hobby or sport, Chicago runners mean business. You'll find those fast feet hitting the pavement day and night, summer or winter, on the 606, the Lakefront Trail and in any one of our great neighborhoods. Serious running means serious running products, and you'll find all of the best shoes, apparel and accessories you need at these friendly, fitness-focused shops.
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