posted July 8, 2013

By Samantha Nelson

The more you work out, the less you pay in monthly dues.

That's the simple motivating formula behind Eco Gym, a Naperville-based company set to open its second location in Glenview this fall. With cardio equipment set up to harvest energy, the gym uses its customer's workouts to cut down on its energy bills — along with fossil fuel use — and passes the savings back to keep people exercising.

"You incentivize yourself to pay less, but to pay less you have to come in more, so you're getting more results," general manager Chris Wersal said.

UPDATE » Eco Gym of Glenview: Does it Work? Eco Gym currently occupies space at 2843 Pfingsten Rd. within Glenbrook Market Place, where locals can meet with trainers, learn about the concept and sign up for memberships at a lower rate than they'll get when construction on the 9,000-square foot facility next door is complete. Once you sign up for membership, you can start working out using the equipment at the recruitment center, though those machines aren't set up to gather electricity. Also: This Ingenious Beer Pong Invention is a Game Changer "We do things so much differently than any other gym," Wersal said. "We really want people to come in and see."



The gym will have 30 cardio machines, studios for classes including boot camp, circuit training and core camp, and five private bathrooms with showers instead of locker rooms. The facility will be open 24 hours daily, with entry triggered by biometric finger scanners and facial recognition. While staff members will only be there between 6:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Wersal said that personal trainers are often scheduling session for odd hours so you might find them there at midnight or 3 a.m.

Exercisers will also benefit from some unique amenities. You can bring your kids and instead of having them watch TV in a daycare area, staff will teach them about healthy eating and how to be safe with exercise. You'll be able to wipe off after your workout with a cool scented towel and you can sign up for a coffee membership where you'll have a coffee made to your tastes waiting for you when you're ready to leave. Membership is capped to make sure the gym is never too crowded and all the personal trainers are required to have four years of experience or a four-year degree.

"We like to think of ourselves as a convenient club with all the amenities of a big club," Wersal said. Wersal said Eco Gym, which opened in Naperville last year, chose to put their second location in Glenview because they found a space big enough for their needs with plenty of parking. While nothing's set yet, the company is looking to expand further in the Chicago area.