South Loop Drop-in Fitness Guide: New Studios and Old Favorites

It’s no secret that Chicago’s South Loop is undergoing a growth spurt – and fitness studios have taken note. By our count, four boutique studios have already opened in 2017, with two more still to come. Their drop-in policies make it easy to explore this bustling Chicago neighborhood while getting in a solid sweat session.

South Loop(photo by Christiana Basso)

Introducing the newbies:

AIR

Strengthen your core, improve stability and flip your perspective (literally) at an AIR class, which will have you swinging and swaying from an aerial hammock attached to the ceiling.

  • Drop-in class: $30
  • Sign up here.
  • Where to find this studio: 1317 S. Michigan Ave.

The Bar Method

Toning is the name of the game at The Bar Method. Participants develop leaner and longer muscles using light weights and body exercises.

  • Drop-in class: $25 (your first class is $20)
  • Sign up here.
  • Where to find this studio: 2112 S. Michigan Ave.

Orange Theory

Get your heart rate into the fat-burning zone with stints on the treadmill, rowing machine and floor, where you’ll go through a fast-paced lifting set. A heart rate monitor connected to the leaderboard keeps you accountable.

  • Drop-in class: $30 (your first class is free)
  • Sign up here.
  • Where to find this studio: 1001 S. State St.

Title Boxing Club

Punch, kick and jab your way to a healthy lifestyle during a Title Boxing Club class. It’s you against the bag – show that bag who’s boss!

  • Drop-in class: $35 (your first class is free)
  • Sign up here.
  • Where to find this studio: 1136 S. Delano Ct., Suite E203

Coming soon:

Cycmode

Channel your pedal power at Cycmode, scheduled to open July 22. As one excited Instagrammer noted, there will “finally [be] a spin studio in the South Loop!”

  • Drop-in class: TBD once they open
  • Where to find this studio: 1333 S. Wabash Ave.

Pure Barre

Pure Barre is a low-impact workout, but don’t let that fool you. Shaking arms and quivering thighs are always on the agenda for newcomers to this ballet-inspired technique.

  • Drop-in class: TBD once they open
  • Where to find this studio: 1336 S. Michigan Ave.

And don’t forget these oldies but goodies:

Fit Results

Fit Results is the home of the Triple 20™ – a trifecta of cycling, rowing and strength training. This friendly spot also offers bootcamp classes and personal training.

  • Drop-in class: $20
  • Sign up here.
  • Where to find this studio: 890 S. State St.

MaZi Dance Fitness

Reach your goals through either cardio (Werq, hip hop, etc.) or strength (ballerina bum bootcamp, intro to ballet, etc.) dance classes.

  • Drop-in class: $21
  • Sign up here.
  • Where to find this studio: 719 S. State St.

Shred 415

Treadmill, weights, treadmill, weights. Shred415 wants you to feel the burn. It’s a combo of strength (the “s” and “h” of their name) and tread (the “re” and “d”) of their name for four 15-minute intervals (that’s where the 415 comes from)!

  • Drop-in class: $27 ($20 for 45-minute express classes)
  • Sign up here.
  • Where to find this studio: 1136 S. Delano Ct., Suite E202

Tejas Yoga

With a plethora of class options from foundational to pranayama to restorative to vigorous to prenatal (and many more), you’re bound to find the right yoga for your needs at Tejas.

  • Drop-in class: $18
  • Sign up here.
  • Where to find this studio: 1300 S. Wabash Ave., Second Floor

The UHLE

Channel your inner professional athlete at the Ultimate Healthy Living Experience, where drills, intervals and special classes (hello Glutecamp) will keep you on your toes. Don’t forget to snap a post-workout selfie against the Instagram-friendly UHLE murals.

    • Drop-in class: $10
    • Sign up here.
    • Where to find this studio: 1727 S. Indiana Ave., Suite G03

Yoga Six

Get the scoop on Yoga Six in this prior post. The lowdown? Their six classes center on six guiding principles: stronger, leaner, clearer, calmer, braver, further. Check the schedule for special workshops on acroyoga, meditation, rooftop yoga and more.

  • Drop-in class: $25
  • Sign up here.
  • Where to find this studio: 1136 S. Delano Ct., Suite E204

105F

Don’t fear the sweat at this third Chicago outpost of a popular hot yoga chain.

  • Drop-in class: $20
  • Sign up here.
  • Where to find this studio: 47 W. Polk St.

 

Did we miss your favorite sweaty go-to? Submit to #Gymspotting and we just may feature it!

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About Kelsey Schagemann

Kelsey is a former NCAA Division III cross country and track athlete who exchanged sneakers for spin shoes in her twenties. Hailing from the great state of Oregon (by way of St. Louis, where she spent her childhood), Kelsey has made Chicago her home since 2006. She can often be found at the helm of her daughter’s stroller, walking miles throughout the city. Her other favorite fitness activities include spinning, yoga, lifting weights and biking. As a freelance writer, Kelsey works with universities, nonprofits, websites and magazines (visit bit.ly/kelseyschagemann for more information). In her spare time, she enjoys trying new recipes, traveling with her family and keeping the library in business. Kelsey holds a BA in English from Kenyon College and an MA in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago.