FFC Oak Park

Having dinner with my hubby tonight enjoying our time together. Thank you, husband did not have to food.

The way the billing department is set up is absolutely horrible and very bad business. Good luck talking a to a live person. Had I known this, I would have NEVER joined. The service is indicative of what they think of you - NOTHING. They just want your money.

I've been trying to get into the habit of working out since middle school and I haven't been able to develop a consistent and effective routine until these last two months (and I'm 48 now) since I joined FFC Oak Park. Granted, I don't necessarily need *this* gym to stay in shape, but the convenience it provides has been a critical differentiator for me. And I finally had to admit I need help staying on track. The trainers, the staff, and the other members are also indispensable to my staying focused. I came in on Independence Day 2014 and the place was packed. Daily, I see old, young, fat, skinny, injured, disabled, all going at it. Yup, it's pricey, and possibly near the upper end of what I'm willing to pay. But I get the sense that they're responsive to customers. They make mistakes, like everyone, but I trust that the high fees translate into a greater willingness of the owners' and managers' to adjust and improve whenever possible.

It's main advantage is that it is the only act in town. It is clean, most machines are functioning, and has a good assortment of equipment. However, it offers way more than I care to use or pay for --- climbing wall, yoga studio --- sneaks in 'extra' charges with vague explanation, is usually crowded and noisy --- what's with all the flat screens, anyway, are you there to work out and pay attention to your body?, and the free weight section is limited, the personal trainers are always training their client in major traffic lanes --- use the empty rooms!. Frankly, for over 1200$ annually for my wife and myself, not worth the money and we are actively searching for another fitness center.

Great gym, friendly staff and free 2 hour parking

Class schedule is terrible. They offer aerobic exercise classes after yoga or Pilate's! I have complained for years & no change.

Great place to work out. Staff is always cleaning. Gets brand new equipment on a regular basis. Pricey, but worth it.

Strengths:Good locationAppealing aestheticsHip/TrendyWeakness:Hidden Fees ($120 in November 2013 to most members)High monthly duesHorrible customer serviceLow ethical standardsOverall FFC Oak Park is the popular/hip gym in Oak Park and located in downtown Oak Park. That is where their strengths end.My contract stated that FFC has the right to charge any fee at any time after the initial period. With the initial period being one month. In September 2013 I received a notice stating that FFC is charging me an additional $120 in November 2013. This fee would be almost twice my monthly dues (requiring me to pay almost 3-months dues in November). I would be required to pay $185 for my individual monthly gym membership in November (with access to only Oak Park's location). This is a shock especially since I just joined FFC within the past year.I attempted to request why I was being assessed the November fee. I was told that it was like a condo association fee (I didn't really understand that explanation), was given a copy of my contract with a phrase stating that FFC could charge anything they wanted after the initial period of my contract. I asked to know when my initial period ends or ended and was told that I needed to consult an attorney. Needless to say I cancelled my membership immediately to avoid paying the fee.

Very expensive club. The physical facilities are very nice. The ONLY reason I belong is that its close. If there were another even semi-comparable place nearby, I'd leave this place.I had my locker broken into. I had about $200 in cash stolen. It took me a week of trying to track someone responsible down. Every time I went there, it was "well, he's not here right now..." Finally, I met with the creepy looking manager. There is something subtly "wrong" about this guy.. "Well, that's really too bad, but there's nothing we can do for you. There's no proof." This, despite I show him my police report, and he CONFIRMS the locker's lock was physically broken into.Not a free massage, not a free month, not a refund, not even much sympathy. Nothing but a "I dont really care" non-apology.The personal trainers park themselves and their clients on equipment and get very little done. True story: I get to the club and a white male trainer and white male client are using the power rack/squat rack. I do not interrupt. I wait more than 10 minutes. In those 10 minutes, I kid you not, the client does 2 sets of an exercise which does not require the equipment. They walk away from the equipment for probably 3 or 4 minutes, nowhere to be seen.Without breaking down their barbell, I set up a barbell for squats. After I do my first set, the trainer confronts me. Not asks a question: CONFRONTS. I am not doing into details, but I was nice about it, and he was a total jerk. The trainers think they own the place.The basketball court draws a bunch of young guys who mostly want to hang around, and creates a sort of strange dynamic in what purports to be an upscale club. I wonder how these young guys afford the initiation fee I had to pay, and the high monthly charges.Super crowded from maybe 4:30 til maybe 8 pm, so working "off hours" is your best bet.You get a free workout towel and that is about the only extra. But they put TOO MUCH bleach in the wash water. If you have sensitive skin, do not wipe your sweaty face with one, or you'll get skin irritation.Its a pretty gym. They charge a lot. They should be more focused on making their customers happy.

The facility is clean and beautiful. I like the sun deck, pool, locker room, spa, work out areas, as well as the kid's club. The best part of it is that they have 6 staff members at the kid's club all the time, which means you don't need to call them before going there, like Bally, or it never gets full, unlike YMCA. My daughter likes to go there, too! I also like the people exercising there. You see young/old and skinny/chubby people. I go there to exercise & relax at the same time.