What is the best neighborhood in Chicago to open a Gym?

Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the best neighborhood in Chicago to open a Gym is Near North Side, with 77% average survivability. 40 of 99 neighborhoods analyzed exceed the 70% two-year survival threshold.

How much more revenue can a Gym make in the best vs. average Chicago neighborhood?

In Near North Side, the best possible Gym location in Chicago offers approximately 12.7% more expected revenue than the average location. The worst-performing neighborhoods could yield approximately 19.6% less than average.

What is the city-wide average survivability for Gym in Chicago?

The city-wide average survivability for Gym across Chicago is 73% for surviving more than 2 years. Top neighborhoods like Near North Side substantially outperform this average, reaching 77%.

What are the worst neighborhoods for Gym in Chicago?

The most challenging neighborhoods in Chicago for Gym include Gage Park with 67% average survival chance, Brighton Park, and Belmont Central. For the most current predictions, visit StreetSpring to analyze your specific location in real-time.

What should I consider when opening a Gym in Chicago?

Among all factors in our model, Revenue Capture Score carries the most weight in determining long-term survivability. StreetSpring computes Revenue Capture Score by projecting the business's market share based on competitor quality and quantity, mobility patterns, and forecasted consumer spending for the specific business type.

Survivability Rankings for Gym in Chicago

Q: Can a Gym succeed in lower-ranked neighborhoods in Chicago?

Yes, neighborhood rankings are averages that mask significant block-by-block variation. Even in neighborhoods ranked outside the top 10, individual storefronts with strong foot traffic, low direct competition, and favorable lease terms can outperform the area average. Our live tool reflects the latest competitive landscape: these static rankings may already be slightly out of date.

StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Chicago to open a Gym, from Near North Side (77% survival) to Gage Park (67%).

September 25, 2026•12 min read

By Robert Koons | Last reviewed: September 2026 | Methodology

Quick Summary

Survivability Score: the projected chance a business type lasts two or more years at a specific address

#1 Neighborhood: Near North Side: 77% average survivability for Gym

Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 40 of 99 analyzed

City-wide average: 73% for Gyms

Most challenging area: Gage Park at 67%

Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~12.7% more expected revenue in Near North Side

Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →

Summary
10 Best Neighborhoods
Where Would a Gym Make the Most Money?
What Should I Consider?
Where Should I Start?
FAQ: Best Neighborhoods
FAQ: Can a Gym Succeed in Lower-Ranked Areas?
FAQ: How Often Are Rankings Updated?
FAQ: Is a Gym a Good Tenant?
Landlord Survivability Data
Best Neighborhoods for Any Business

Summary

StreetSpring's 2026 analysis shows the best neighborhood in and around Chicago to open a Gym is Near North Side with 77% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 80% and the most challenging locations in Near North Side at 75%. The worst neighborhoods include Gage Park with 67% average chance. Even neighborhoods with modest average scores can harbor exceptional individual locations.

What Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in and Around Chicago to Open a Gym?

Near North Side ranks #1 of 99 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Chicago for Gym survivability, with a 77% chance of lasting two or more years as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:

Rank	Neighborhood	At a good address	Average Locations	Best Locations	Challenging Locations
1	Near North Side	78.6%	76.0% to 79.0%	78.0% to 80.0%	75.0% to 77.0%
2	Douglas Park	78.6%	75.0% to 79.0%	78.0% to 80.0%	73.0% to 75.0%
3	Lake View East	78.1%	75.0% to 79.0%	78.0% to 80.0%	73.0% to 75.0%
4	Big Woods Marmion	78.1%	73.0% to 77.0%	77.0% to 79.0%	68.0% to 70.0%
5	Wicker Park	77.7%	75.0% to 79.0%	76.0% to 78.0%	75.0% to 76.0%
6	Goose Island	77.7%	75.0% to 78.0%	78.0% to 79.0%	74.0% to 75.0%
7	Lake View	77.7%	74.0% to 78.0%	79.0% to 80.0%	73.0% to 75.0%
8	South Loop	77.7%	74.0% to 78.0%	79.0% to 80.0%	71.0% to 73.0%
9	North Center	77.2%	75.0% to 78.0%	77.0% to 79.0%	73.0% to 75.0%
10	Bucktown	77.2%	74.0% to 78.0%	77.0% to 79.0%	73.0% to 75.0%

StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool. StreetSpring refreshes survivability data continuously: check the tool for the most current score at any address.

Survivability ranges reflect best and worst storefront conditions within each neighborhood. See our full methodology →

Try StreetSpring to see if this location is still the best and see if there are locations to rent in this area right now.

Where in or Around Chicago Would a Gym Make the Most Money?

In Near North Side, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~12.7% more than the average location in or around Chicago.

On the other hand, in Gage Park, the worst possible location could result in making ~19.6% less than the average location in the city.

Where you open matters more than anything else. Opening a Gym in Chicago requires careful location choice. Across 99 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Gym is 73% for lasting more than 2 years, due to a combination of many factors across competition, consumer spending, and location dynamics. The same location can be excellent for one business type and poor for another.

What Should I Consider When Opening a Gym in or Around Chicago?

When selecting a location for a Gym in or around Chicago, it is crucial to select a location with a very high Survivability Score. Among all factors in our model, Revenue Capture Score carries the most weight in determining long-term survivability. StreetSpring computes this by projecting the business's market share, which is based on the quality and quantity of primary, secondary, and tertiary competitors. Our analysis covers businesses serving the 24 largest metros in America. Neighborhoods with a mix of similar businesses frequently outperform isolated locations. The prediction engine behind these rankings is entirely proprietary: developed in-house over years of research. StreetSpring scores 500+ business types: 153 base business types, most of them at 5 price points, which is 569 type-and-price combinations you can choose in the tool.

This can be summarized as:

Revenue Capture Score = Projected Market Share × Forecasted Spend on Specific Business

StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. New competitor openings and closures happen weekly: the live tool ensures you see the latest picture.

Where in or Around Chicago Should I Start a Gym?

Our models highlight the following neighborhoods as top performers: Near North Side, Douglas Park, and Lake View East, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Gage Park, Brighton Park, and Belmont Central. Market conditions are changing daily and it is best to use StreetSpring's most up-to-date data. Static rankings provide a useful baseline, but the live tool captures changes that have occurred since publication.

Related Articles:

Business Survivability Rankings: Chicago
Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago
National City Survivability: Gym
National Neighborhood Survivability: Gym

What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Chicago to Open a Gym?

Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Gym in Chicago is Near North Side with 77% average survivability, followed by Douglas Park and Lake View East. 40 of 99 neighborhoods analyzed exceed 70% two-year survival.

StreetSpring refreshes survivability data continuously: check the tool for the most current score at any address.

Can a Gym Succeed in Lower-Ranked Neighborhoods in Chicago?

Yes, neighborhood averages mask significant block-by-block variation. Even in neighborhoods ranked outside the top 10, individual storefronts with strong foot traffic, low direct competition, and favorable lease terms can outperform the area average. A low-ranking neighborhood can still contain high-potential storefronts: the address matters most. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.

How Often Are Gym Rankings in Chicago Updated?

StreetSpring recalculates survivability scores regularly using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. Rankings are updated quarterly; the live tool always reflects the most current predictions for any address in Chicago.

Is a Gym a Good Tenant for Chicago Landlords?

In Near North Side, StreetSpring forecasts a 76.0% to 79.0% average chance for a new Gym to survive more than 2 years, depending on the exact storefront. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.

Landlord Survivability Data for Gym in Chicago

Tenant longevity is a top concern for commercial landlords. In Near North Side, a Gym tenant averages 76.0% to 79.0% chance of lasting more than 2 years: the strongest outlook in Chicago. Douglas Park follows at 75.0% to 79.0%, while Lake View East shows 75.0% to 79.0%. Our tool shows the survivability outlook for any business type at your exact address, updated weekly.

StreetSpring delivers address-level predictions, showing how likely hundreds of different businesses are to last at that exact spot.

What Are the Best Neighborhoods in or Around Chicago for My Business Overall?

You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Chicago to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago.

Business Survivability Rankings: Chicago: See how Gym compares to all other business types in Chicago
Best Cities to Open a Gym in the US: National city-level survivability rankings for Gym
Business Survivability in Near North Side, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #1 neighborhood
Business Survivability in Douglas Park, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #2 neighborhood
Business Survivability in Lake View East, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #3 neighborhood

Technical note: Aggregated survivability rankings for Chicago are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.

View technical data for Chicago

StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.

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