Advocate Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center

Lousy music blasts everywhere

Good equipment and amenities.

As of today, my membership was canceled because Good Samaritan Wellness Center could not process a one-time annual credit card payment, even though they had done exactly that for me during the previous two years.
I actually find that part amusing. Here is a health club trying to attract and retain members, yet they willingly let an $1,100 annual membership walk out the door over a simple payment transaction. Not exactly a master class in customer retention.
Now for the actual review.
I was a member for the past two years and witnessed equipment sitting broken for weeks, and sometimes months, before repairs were made. About six weeks ago, I happened to speak with the maintenance engineer and a lighting company that was preparing a quote for new lighting throughout the facility.
New lighting? Brilliant idea. (Sarcasm intended.)
Before spending money on making the gym brighter, perhaps ask why younger members are not joining. The answer is pretty simple: walk into the weight room. Much of the equipment looks like it belongs in the 1970s or 1980s.
like from Venice Beach Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The younger crowd wants modern strength equipment and updated training areas. New lights may do one thing very well—they’ll make it easier to see the outdated machines and any equipment waiting to be repaired.
To be fair, I didn’t join because of the equipment. I belong to other clubs as well. I joined because the membership base is older, the atmosphere is quieter, and it offered a peaceful place to work out.
But is it worth the roughly $90 per month membership fee? In my opinion, no.
For significantly less money, I can join LA Fitness, Planet Fitness, and several other clubs that offer newer equipment and more amenities. In fact, after leaving Good Sam, I went to Life Time Fitness in Oak Brook and paid approximately $2,400 up front for a one-year membership without any issues.
One final observation: the pool area seems to generate enough complaints to keep the front desk busy on a regular basis. One of my friends was suspended for two weeks after accidentally bumping another member with a pool noodle. The whole situation felt less like a wellness center and more like a grammar school playground.
I don’t dislike the facility, and I met some great people there. However, management appears more focused on cosmetic improvements than addressing the equipment, maintenance, and customer service issues that actually influence whether people join and stay.

Pools and equipment are very clean

This gym has horrible customer service, particularly for disabled folks. People in wheelchairs, who need to access the family changing area because it is the only area with showers accessible with a chair, must turnover something valuable in order to be let in to the family changing area. However, the doors to that area are left unlocked for families coming for swimming lessons and they do not have to give anything of value to hold. Their pools are always on the fritz, and the chair for disabled folks to be lowered into the pool are not working. There is high teacher turnover and the teachers they do have, with one or two exceptions, are boring. Their latest policy is that they will only give two towels, rather than having an area where people can take the towels they need. I asked for a third one as a person of size (and also because I didn't receive any notice to bring my own towel to an alleged towel service gym) and was told I need to bring it from home. No need. Canceled.

I signed my son for private swimming lesson several months ago, he had no previous instruction and was a little hesitant. Shelley made him feel comfortable since day one and he has improved greatly in this short period of time, Shelley has been absolutely perfect! My only regret is not finding her sooner...

Been taking my kids to Good Sam for swim for awhile now and have to say that I can’t recommend Ms Shelly enough! She’s equal parts enthusiastic and patient. She pushes them to conquer their fears. My kids adore Ms Shelly so much. They want to earn her praise. They regularly ask if they can stay at their lessons longer. If you’ve had a nervous swimmer, you know that says A LOT.

My boys are taking private swim lessons here with Shelley and I could not be happier with our experience! My child is very sensitive, and after several years of trying different programs without success, this is the first place where he has truly connected and thrived. Shelley is incredibly patient, kind, and intuitive. She meets the boys exactly where they are and builds their confidence. My younger son absolutely loves the water and now looks forward to his Monday lessons every week, which is something we never thought we’d see. We are so grateful to have found her and highly recommend these lessons to any family, especially those needing a more personalized and supportive approach.

Great people in membership, personal training and at the front desk.

Not somewhere you go unless you have to, but they've always treated me well here