BodyWorxs Chicago

Don’t be fooled by the name change here. The prior nameplate of BodyWorx never opened after 2-​years of stringing people along. The current Life Performance moniker is nothing more than attempt to shield from the obvious scam job going on here. As a pre-​sale buyer, the deal was supposed to be a 24 – 7 full service gym. Instead, today we have a half-​developed space with random hours that make it impossible to plan a predictable workout schedule. It’s clear that they ran out out of money and would not be up front about it. Being honest about the situation would have avoided all the headaches surrounding this place. If you can’t trust what they say and judge by what they do – why would you give them your business?

Been with this gym since the pre-​sale, and even through the ups and downs that plague this Unilocal page, I am glad that I’ve stuck with them. I want this to be an overall positive review, but I do believe the gym has some room for improvements that would be very easy to make. Three stars seems low, but it’s above average and pretty accurate. It’s a good no-​frills gym, that really does have everything you need to get an effective workout accomplished in a minimal time. My complaints that are listed below are very easy for the gym to fix, and I do hope they’ll consider them as open and honest feedback.
The good:
1. Not very crowded yet, so I haven’t experienced any waits for machines or weights
2. Helpful and friendly staff that are eager to answer questions
3. Personalized training and nutrition planning tailored to the individual
4. Now open at 6am, which has really helped me be able to workout in the morning, go home shower/​eat, and have enough time to commute to the loop for work
5. Free Wifi that is fast enough to stream netflix or hulu on an ipad or phone without buffering
6. Great value
7. Not a scam
Will bump up to a four star review when these complaints are fixed:
1. The speakers are cranked way too high. This isn’t a request to turn off the music or a request to change to a different station. I’m politely asking to please keep the volume at a level where it’s possible for me to drown it out with my headphones, without the risk of going deaf.
2. The channels the TVs are set to (Fox News, really???) and the refusal to allow members to change the channels. I’ll admit I care less about this than the volume of the music because if I’m doing cardio, I’m going to watch my own stuff on my iPad, and I don’t really pay that much attention to the TVs if I’m doing weights. But, I find it odd that a gym wouldn’t have channels on Chicago Sports Network or ESPN. If one channel should be a news focus, wouldn’t CNN or Headline News be slightly more impartial? Again, Fox News… really???

I dare anyone to find a better value. By far the best workout /​system I have come across over the years. This is not your typical gym with piles of steel. Justin provides a tailored and practical workout experience in a welcoming and non-​threatening environment.

It’s been OVER a year since my last reveiw here and I still have not gotten my money back ($ 356 in total). I’ve filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, Alderman Mell & Albany Park Chamber of Commerce and still haven’t gotten any feedback from those avenues. This is a joke! Justin (Bodyworx) has scammed so many people and nothing is being done about it! To add insult to injury… this joker is still sending out emails trying to pump his victims up about the opening that that will NEVER happen! His license and permits need to be revoked and he needs to be shut down completely — FOREVER!
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP AT THIS GYM… if it does ever open… I will be there everyday making sure everyone that walks in knows the type of business they’re patronizing! TOTAL SCAM!

SCAM ALERT…
After joining this gym almost 1 YEAR AGO, BodyWorx (i.e., Justin) continued to charge the credit card I used to join additional memberships and fees over the next 2 months (which I did not authorize). In all, I was charged almost $ 800 more than my membership fee. He made me go through my own bank to get the money back, as opposed to issuing me a reimbursement for the unauthorized charges.
Then, when it was obvious that the gym was not opening by the contract date, I asked for a complete refund on my membership fee. He emailed me over the next 6 months assuring me the refund would come… it never came. As of February 2011, he was still assuring me that I would receive a refund and he even asked for my mailing address. No refund was ever received. I have since sent him multiple demands for a refund and he has completely ignored me. I have been in contact with other «members» who have experienced similar problems and we are currently notifying the Better Business Bureau, local media, the alderman, and attorneys.
Even though the gym is supposedly being finished (over a year later), the management is clearly scamming you and any problems you incur will likely be ignored.
I don’t think this review is unreasonable considering I have been patient for almost 1 year… multiple fraudulent charges on my credit card… multiple promises to reimburse my membership fee without action… and now complete silence.

SCAM ALERT!!!
Gym was supposed to open over 3 months ago– still not open and by the looks of things walking by not even close. Funny, they obviously knew they didn’t have construction permits when we signed up but neglected to say anything to anyone.
Also, since paying the initial $ 199 membership fee my card has been randomly charged an additional $ 300 by them!
I have called and written emails regarding the latest in these unwarranted charges without any response. Obviously I am cancelling my membership. I was really excited to have a new business in Albany Park but unfortunately it turned out to be a scam.

I also signed up for the pre-​sale membership when the gym was supposed to open ⁷⁄₁. I specifically told the guy there my current gym membership ends ⁶⁄₃₀ so this was perfect and he agreed. Come to find out the opening was delayed due to permits. Why would they tell people the gym would be open in July when they don’t even have the city construction permits. I’m not in construction, but I’ve lived in Chicago a long time and know you aren’t going to complete anything anytime soon without the proper city permits.
I finally got an email the beginning of August saying the gym was slated for a ⁹⁄₁ opening. I walked past the gym yesterday, 8/​24, and noticed it was nowhere close to being ready to open in roughly a week. There was drywall up and that is about it. I emailed and called to get an updated opening time, but have not heard a response.
When I prepaid for the year, I thought I was getting a great deal. $ 199 for an entire year and it is so close to where I live. Now I’m concerned about this gym ever opening and how and if I can get my money back.