Question

Any FFC (Oak Park) members? Just happened to open the mail this morning and learned of yet another upcoming membership dues "modification". It's a nearly 10% increase. Same thing happened around this same time last year. Thoughts?  

Answer 1

Yeah FFC is the worst! Maybe a good gym will open on north and Harlem. Hi Karolina!  

Comments

Its getting to expensive for us!  

---

@flinty Definitely check out Full Circle! It’s barre and cycle

---

@tabbie/activity" class="qa-user-link">tabbie try Full Circle ⭕️ in Marion @tabbie/activity" class="qa-user-link">tabbie it’s so easy.  

---

Ha! I was just saying this.  

---

@mowry41400 I do go there and love it!  

Answer 2

I don’t know anything about FFC but keep in mind that minimum wage has been going up by nearly 10% a year since 2017. Most businesses I know are adjusting their entire pay scale, not just positions that are actually near minimum wage. And vendors are going through the same increases so cost of supplies and services for businesses are going up proportionally.  

Comments

@adelaadelaida price adjustments are most certainly a part of any economy. Though 10% inflation back-to-back within less than 2 years is rather an aggressive tactic. Thankspical annual salary adjustments hover around 3%, if that. I'm always interested to hear people's opinion on these things though. In general terms, it's very disappointing when something you thought you were getting a decent deal on intially, starts sneaking up additional fees/charges real fast

---

@flinty I totally understand the frustration. I just wanted to point out that there are local, external factors that are pushing business expense increases way beyond typical.  

---

@adelaadelaida for sure. And more times than not, there isn't much that can be done, even if you voice your opinions and try to reason. But hey, sharing with others and hearing their opinions/experiences always helps a little!  

---

@flinty this is typical of FFC in my opinion.  

Answer 3

The rate increases are really annoying.  

Answer 4

For anyone who swims. where do you go? For those of us who use the pool at FFC, it's barely worth the cost of membership as it is. Thanks for posting, @flinty!  

Comments

@guerrero36 we go to Xsport on North Ave in Melrose Park

---

Thank you! I’ll check it out!  

---

@guerrero36 , the Berwyn YMCA has a really nice pool. Loyola’s Gottleib center has a separate pool just for lap swim so you never have to worry about those pesky water aerobics or swim classes getting in the way.  Both of those options are a fraction of the cost of FFC. The oak park and Berwyn ymcas have reciprocal membership so you can use either.  

---

@chesson thank you so much ! great info!  

Answer 5

Ugh. I haven’t seen that yet. Thanks for sharing.  

Comments

@dull95715 I've been a member for 2 years now and have seen this same increase twice already. Wonder if this is something they consistently do each year?  we originally chose to sign up with them due to competitive prices when compared to other places we were considering but they are now becoming one of the pricier memberships in that overall category  

---

@flinty I’ve been a member for over 10 years and i feel like these regular up charges are new. It may be worth talking to the GM and see what is going on. I will try next time I’m there at a normal time of day!  

---

@flinty I’m sure the “remodel” had something to do with it too.  

---

@dull95715 oh really? Interesting. lemme know what you find out  I'm a FFC newbie compared to you then! Haha just getting pretty turned off by the $30/month increase since I joined. At this rate, our membership will double before we know it

---

@guerrero36 Hart which I was surprised to see to begin with. I thought the locker rooms were fine the way they were before ‍♀️

---

@flinty absolutely! I was fortunate enough to have my company pay for it for a long time. Last few years i pay  but it has been worth it for is to have the flexibility and options.  

---

@dull95715 niiice! Those were some real nice perks to have then!  

Answer 6

We finally quit FFC after they increased the fees. I do Spenga and planet fitness when I need a treadmill or some weights.  

Answer 7

@flinty Did you receive this by post mail or e-mail? I haven’t received it yet. I’m going to have to evaluate if membership is worth it. Love the Pilates classes but.  

Comments

@sconce14 by regular mail, just yesterday. I justified last year's increase by the value we were getting out of the membership as a whole but this 2nd increase is really making me wanna reconsider  

---

@sconce14 my letter came last week in the mail. It’s now $100 for a single.  

---

@guerrero36 Fitzgerald I didn’t get a letter. Maybe my membership is not increasing.  Wishful thinking

---

@sconce14 can I then be your family add on member?  

Answer 8

Second increase like this in about 6 months or so, I just submitted my cancellation. It’s becoming too difficult to park too, and that’s BEFORE the lake street construction.  

Comments

@guerrero36 Fitzgerald I remember when both elevators in the lot were broken and their only response was, “ we don’t own that, it’s separate” Like no alternative or any help. One of the many things that led me to cancel over a year ago.  

---

The garage elevators that NEVER works and the FFC elevators that are slower than slow Argh. Time to get a peloton or Mirror for home-workouts with less hassle  

Answer 9

I cancelled last fall when they raised the fees once again and I joined the YMCA. It works for me. There is free parking and no personal trainers on the floor in the morning, which I LOVE.  

Answer 10

Initially I switched to Gottlieb because it is half the price. But I soon realized the true benefit of moving. At FFC I certainly wasn’t among the hot young things on the gym floor but the first week at Hottlieb, I mean Gottlieb, at least 3 eighty year old men winked at me.  

Answer 11

Walking workout outdoors IT'S FREE

Answer 12

Given the fact that the kid cam has been down for at least a week the hike is obnoxious.  

Comments

@reiner oh don’t even get me started on that kids club

Answer 13

You mean taken aback.