Edgewater Athletic Club

- Sovereign', Entrance from Kenmore Adjacent to Loyola University Lakeshore Campus, 1040 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL 60660

Introduction / Overview

For residents across Illinois, particularly those in the northern neighborhoods of Chicago, the Edgewater Athletic Club (EAC) offers a truly unique and full-service neighborhood gym experience. Situated in the historic Sovereign building, the club seamlessly blends an evocative, vintage atmosphere with comprehensive modern fitness facilities. The club is not a high-end luxury spa, but rather a no-frills gym that prioritizes providing a full range of athletic amenities at what members often describe as very reasonable prices.

What immediately sets the Edgewater Athletic Club apart is its distinctive setting. The primary workout area has been ingeniously transformed from the building's original Grand Ballroom, meaning members can enjoy their strength training or cardio routines under chandeliers, an architectural flair that adds a charming and memorable backdrop to every workout.

Identifying as a full-service Gym, Athletic Club, and Fitness Center, the EAC is especially valued for its expansive aquatics program, featuring a sizable Indoor Swimming Pool. This makes it an ideal choice for swimmers, families looking for Swim Club opportunities and lessons, or anyone seeking a low-impact cardio option. While the club maintains a vintage charm, offering a strong sense of community and friendly front-desk staff, it covers all the core requirements for a serious fitness regimen—free weights, cardio equipment, group classes, and crucial recovery features like a sauna. This combination of historical character, essential fitness offerings, and a community focus makes it a solid choice for the local Illinois user.

Location and Accessibility

The Edgewater Athletic Club is ideally positioned for easy access, located right in the heart of Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood and directly adjacent to a major educational institution.

The physical address is: 1040 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL 60660, USA.

The club is housed within The Sovereign apartment building, with its entrance clearly marked from Kenmore Avenue, adjacent to the Loyola University Lakeshore Campus. This proximity makes it exceptionally convenient for students, faculty, and area residents.

Accessibility features ensure a comfortable visit for all members:

• CTA Access: Conveniently located just two blocks from the Granville CTA Red Line stop, providing superb public transit access for anyone commuting from across Chicago.
• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The facility provides a wheelchair accessible entrance to ensure ease of entry for all visitors.
• Wheelchair Accessible Restroom: Ensures comfort and convenience for members with mobility needs.

Operating hours are generous, typically opening as early as 5:00 AM on weekdays and 6:00 AM on weekends, allowing members flexibility to work out before or after their workday.

Services Offered

As a full-service athletic club, EAC provides a comprehensive range of fitness and wellness options, all offered as Onsite services and requiring a Membership.

• General Gym Access: Full access to cardio and weight rooms, including strength training machines and free weights.
• Indoor Swimming Pool: Features a 5-lane, 20-yard indoor swimming pool, a major highlight for aquatic fitness.
• Group Fitness Classes: A varied schedule of classes, which typically includes formats like Yoga, Cardio, Water Fitness, and other popular group training options. Basic group classes are often included with membership.
• Swim Instruction: Extensive programs available for both children and adults, including private swim lessons, group swim lessons, and Swim Camps for kids.
• Personal Training: One-on-one coaching to help members design and execute a tailored fitness plan to meet individual goals.
• Massage Therapy: Available services include professional soft tissue work, with specialists offering services like Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and myofascial release.
• Wellness & Recovery: Includes a Sauna and Steam Room for post-workout recovery and relaxation.
• Outside Trainer Rental: The club may offer options for personal trainers not employed by EAC to utilize the space for their clients.

Features / Highlights

The unique aspects of the Edgewater Athletic Club that draw in local Chicago members are centered around its character and core offerings, distinguishing it from chain gyms.

• Historic and Unique Venue: The gym’s main workout area is located in the building’s original Grand Ballroom, featuring stunning architecture and, notably, chandeliers that provide a workout environment unlike any other gym in Illinois.
• Excellent Aquatics Facility: Home to a well-maintained, 5-lane Indoor Swimming Pool, serving as a great resource for lap swimmers, swim classes, and water fitness activities.
• Value-Driven Membership: The club is noted for its reasonable prices and month-to-month commitment options, appealing to budget-conscious residents, including nearby university students.
• Core Recovery Amenities: Members have access to both a Sauna and a Steam Room, which are essential for muscle recovery, circulation, and general well-being.
• Dedicated Massage Services: The presence of highly recommended, on-site massage therapists, such as those specializing in soft tissue work, adds significant value for members seeking therapeutic and recovery treatments.
• Inclusive and Convenient Facilities: The club offers both standard Restrooms and a Gender-neutral restroom to ensure comfort for all members. Furthermore, Wi-Fi access is available throughout the facility.
• Friendly Community Feel: Frequently cited by reviewers is the genuine, supportive community feel and the helpful nature of the front desk staff, providing a welcoming, non-intimidating atmosphere.

Contact Information

To inquire about memberships, class schedules, or swim lessons, prospective members in the Illinois region can use the following information. Membership is required to access the full facilities and services.

Address: Sovereign', Entrance from Kenmore Adjacent to Loyola University Lakeshore Campus, 1040 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL 60660, USA

Phone: (773) 262-2455

Mobile Phone: +1 773-262-2455

What is Worth Choosing

The Edgewater Athletic Club is an excellent choice for Illinois residents, especially those in the Edgewater and Rogers Park areas of Chicago, who value substance and unique character over modern luxury. Choosing the EAC means investing in a well-rounded fitness regimen that includes aquatic options, strength training, and essential recovery tools, all within a memorable, historic setting.

The Aquatic Advantage: Unlike many smaller neighborhood gyms, the inclusion of a 5-lane indoor pool is a substantial offering. For serious swimmers, those with physical therapy needs, or parents looking for accessible and affordable swim lessons for the kids, the EAC's dedicated aquatics program is a major differentiator.

An Atmosphere with Character: For individuals tired of the cookie-cutter corporate gym aesthetic, working out under the chandeliers of a preserved ballroom provides an inspiring and non-traditional environment. This vintage vibe contributes to the strong community feel, often described as a friendly, no-frills experience where the focus remains squarely on the workout itself.

Holistic Wellness Services: The club goes beyond mere weights and treadmills by integrating Sauna, Steam Room, and professional Massage Therapy (with highly-praised specialists) into its offering. This dedication to recovery and soft tissue work provides a more complete wellness solution that is typically found only at much higher-priced athletic clubs.

While some reviews suggest the equipment and locker rooms carry that "vintage" feel and could benefit from upgrades, the very reasonable prices and the core, unique amenities—the pool, the sauna, and the historic ballroom setting—make the Edgewater Athletic Club a worthwhile neighborhood institution for the budget-conscious and community-minded fitness enthusiast in Illinois. It delivers a solid, full-service athletic club experience where the staff are attentive and the facilities are comprehensive.

Edgewater Athletic Club

Sovereign', Entrance from Kenmore Adjacent to Loyola University Lakeshore Campus, 1040 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL 60660, USA