There are a couple of creature comforts that I miss about living at home: showering sans flip flops, a fridge that doesn’t require an awkward squatting-and-crouching maneuver to retrieve food and cinderblock-free walls.
Something else absent from my freshman year of college? The yoga, pilates, cardio sculpt and other limb-lengthening, ab-tightening sweatfests that comprised my exercise regimen throughout high school. Sure, the SPAC ellipticals afford sweeping views of the lake and Patten provides an old-school gym class ambiance that harkens back to middle school – but perspiring on the same machines, possibly to the same exact songs, gets tiresome after a while.
Even with the thrice weekly fair-weather addition of outdoor jogs on the magnificent Lakefill, complete with priceless views of downtown Chicago, my workout routine was leaving much to be desired. Thus began my weeklong quest for Evanston’s best place to “ohm,” kickbox and Stairmaster.
The best overall fitness experience on my whirlwind tour de gyms was Evanston Athletic Club. EAC balances the welcoming vibe of an independently-owned local gym with the extensive roster of classes and top-notch equipment of a big chain. Thankfully devoid of commercial cookie-cutter design, EAC features exposed brick walls, loft-like yoga and pilates studios and even a mini rock-climbing wall.
Currently in the midst of a million-dollar, 10,000 square foot renovation – which includes a new sunlit exercise room and a juice bar – EAC is stepping up their facilities to keep astride with their new competitor: L.A. Fitness, which opened in October.
With its soaring ceilings, sparkling new machines, and modern, curvy space, L.A. Fitness is superior in the aesthetics department. There’s a pseudo-hip, youthful vibe – thanks to the on-site juice bar, and the Billboard Top 10 hits being piped throughout. But what’s the deal with the cheesy “Perspire… Inspire” wall motif? I’d rather not gaze at a massive image of some enviably toned and taut yogini smiling serenely in her pretzel-esque pose while I huff my way through downward facing dog. Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something strange about the fact that the same exact “motivational” posters and handsomely dark wooden locker rooms can be found in Anywhere, U.S.A. A little personality with my pilates isn’t too much to ask for, is it?
Unlike EAC’s cozy labyrinth of workout rooms, L.A. Fitness’ equipment resides in a huge warehouse-like space. There’s something a little more sporty rather than wellness-oriented about L.A. Fitness compared to EAC, as evident in the distracting thumps of a neighboring basketball game.
By contrast, Blomquist is good for South-campus exercise minimalists. It shares Patten’s musty (kitschy, if you’re an optimist) vibe, and there is a decent assortment of machines. There’s no need to dole out the monthly E.A.C. student membership fee if some quality time with an elliptical is all you’re after.
For on-campus classes, SPAC offers a decent cardio selection, while Patten has yoga and pilates. A 10:30 a.m. open yoga class on a Sunday morning at Patten found me bleary-eyed, in the company of three regulars probably over the age of 50, and relaxed. Classes are equally small much of the time at SPAC. This is only a problem when they get cancelled because of insufficient attendance. Such was the case with the Core Strength class I went to was cancelled when only I showed up.
With less than three weeks of school left, this little gym experiment was a great way to comparison shop for next year. My suggestion: Take advantage of those free 3-day L.A. Fitness passes available on their Web site or ask to sample a SPAC or Patten class before the year winds down. If anything, it’s a great way to jumpstart that bikini-bod regimen you’ve been thinking about since, well, writing your New Year’s resolutions. Better late than never, right?
Whether combating that pesky freshman fifteen or Rapunzel-like effect on that beer belly. With a little gruntwork and maybe a membership, those Deuce-induced extra pounds can be “spun” into taut muscles.
Medill freshman Alexandra Ilyashov is a PLAY writer. She can be reached at a- [email protected].
