The LA Fitness in Portage Park, Chicago, is set to close its doors permanently on February 21st, 2025, just seven months after it took over the location from XSport Fitness. The abrupt announcement has left members blindsided and frustrated, raising questions about the fitness chain’s management and commitment to the community.
Sudden Closure Sparks Member Outrage
The gym, located at 5515 W. Irving Park Road, was previously an XSport Fitness, and its transition to LA Fitness in July 2024 was met with optimism by many local residents. However, the news of its imminent closure has sparked outrage and disappointment among members. Many had chosen the Portage Park location for its convenience and walkability, and are now left scrambling to find alternative fitness options.
Alexandra Scarpello, a Portage Park resident, expressed her frustration, noting that she was excited to have an LA Fitness so close to her when she moved to the neighborhood in November. She, like many others, was shocked to learn of the closure just three months later. The lack of communication and the sudden nature of the announcement have left a sour taste in the mouths of many gym goers.
Quality Decline Post-Takeover
Several members have reported a decline in the gym’s quality after the transition from XSport to LA Fitness. These complaints range from reduced maintenance to a decrease in the variety of classes offered. This decline in quality further exacerbates the frustration of members who now face the inconvenience of the closure.
The Portage Park location is not the only LA Fitness to recently close in Chicago. Similar closures have occurred at locations on South State Street in the South Loop and on North Elston Avenue in Albany Park, adding to concerns about the fitness chain’s operations in the city.
LA Fitness Remains Silent
Despite numerous inquiries, LA Fitness has not released an official statement regarding the Portage Park closure, or how many other locations have been shuttered since the XSport acquisition. This lack of communication has further fueled speculation and discontent among members.
The LA Fitness website lists 18 Chicago locations, however, before the acquisition, XSport had 10 gyms in the city. This discrepancy highlights the lack of transparency surrounding the closures and the overall management of the fitness chain.
Member Options and Concerns
Members of the Portage Park LA Fitness will be able to access other LA Fitness, Esporta Fitness, and City Sports Club locations starting February 21st. However, many members have expressed concern that the other locations may be too far away or overcrowded. The LA Fitness in Mayfair at 4705 W. Foster Ave is an alternative, but for many, the appeal of the Portage Park gym was its walkability within their community.
One member stated that the gym was the “only walkable gym” for them and it was consistently packed. This closure has disrupted their fitness routine, as they relied on its convenient location to fit in workouts during their busy day.
The goal appears to be to funnel members into the LA Fitness approximately two miles away, which could lead to overcrowding, as the Portage Park gym was consistently filled with members.
LA Fitness Acquisition of XSport
In July 2024, LA Fitness acquired XSport Fitness, taking over the management of all nine Chicago area XSport locations. The acquisition was presented as a way to expand access for members, with LA Fitness honoring all active membership agreements and their specific club-access privileges.
XSport members received an email stating that Capital Fitness, the parent company of XSport Fitness, had made the decision to exit the health and fitness club business, leading to the transition of operations to Fitness International (LA Fitness).
Impact on Memberships
At the time of the acquisition, LA Fitness stated that it would honor XSport memberships and collect dues in the same amount as before. Members with access to one club would have their membership unchanged, and those with access to multiple clubs would be able to go to any LA Fitness location nationwide.
Despite these assurances, the sudden closure of the Portage Park location has raised doubts about the long-term stability of the acquired XSport gyms and the future for their members.
Closures Beyond Portage Park
The Portage Park closure is not an isolated incident. Several LA Fitness and Esporta Fitness locations have closed across the nation in recent months, with members expressing concerns about the fitness chain’s management and the loss of their local fitness facilities.
Locations in Centereach, New York; Newington, Connecticut; Holmdel, New Jersey; Southfield, Michigan; and Burnsville, Minnesota have all reportedly been shuttered. The acquisition of 35 XSport Fitness locations by Fitness International, the parent company of LA Fitness, Esporta Fitness, and City Sports Club, has not been smooth, and multiple closures have occurred since the acquisition.
Three Esporta gyms closed in South Jersey in 2024. In addition to the closures, some members have also voiced dissatisfaction over the removal of cycling classes at their clubs.
Community Impact
The closure of the Portage Park LA Fitness has had a significant impact on the local community. Gyms often serve as more than just workout facilities; they become community hubs where people connect and build relationships. The loss of a local gym can be particularly challenging for seniors and others who rely on it for their physical and social well-being.
The closure of the Portage Park LA Fitness is part of a larger trend of gym closures across the country. These closures often leave members feeling frustrated and disenfranchised, as they lose access to their preferred fitness facilities.
Future of LA Fitness in Chicago
The recent closures and lack of communication from LA Fitness have cast a shadow over the future of the fitness chain in Chicago. Members are now questioning the company’s commitment to the community and the value of their memberships.
As members adjust to the latest closure, they are faced with the challenge of finding a new gym that meets their needs. The convenience and accessibility of the Portage Park location will be difficult to replicate, and the community is left to grapple with the loss of their local gym.
This situation highlights the challenges that can arise when large corporations acquire smaller businesses, and the importance of clear communication and community engagement in such transitions. The future of LA Fitness in Chicago remains uncertain, as members continue to express their concerns and seek alternatives.
