River North Personal Trainers, at Home or at Work

This neighborhood started out industrial. WTTW notes the land once held breweries, soap factories and tanneries, and the Encyclopedia of Chicago says the area became a center for art galleries in the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2012, numerous residential high-rises went up and the population climbed sharply, while a handful of galleries remain in the old gallery district. Wherever you live, sessions can happen in your unit or in your building's fitness center, following your building's rules. We've also run resident fitness programs over the years at Exhibit on Superior, Parc Huron, EnV, River North Park, Niche 905, west77, Hubbard221 and The Hudson.

Ward (A. Montgomery) Park sits along the North Branch of the Chicago River at 630 N. Kingsbury, and the Chicago Park District describes its river walk promenade with benches, shade trees and views of the water and skyline. That stretch works well for walking lunges, tempo walks and a cool-down stretch by the river. On the east side of the neighborhood, Washington Square Park at 901 N. Clark, across from the Newberry Library, adds 2.85 acres and a floral garden. The Park District traces it to a parcel donated as a public park in 1842.

WTTW notes that the Merchandise Mart still houses showrooms and offices for major companies. If your workday is there or nearby, a trainer can come to your office as easily as your apartment, and the Brown and Purple Lines stop right at Merchandise Mart station, 350 N. Wells. Chitown Trainer has been in business since 2009 and has 50+ certified trainers. Each one is required to hold a Bachelor's degree and a nationally accredited certification, every session is insured, and you can move a session with 24 hours' notice.