Survivability Rankings for Gym in Chicago
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Chicago to open a Gym, from West Lawn (74% survival) to Evanston (63%).
By Bobby Koons | Last reviewed: April 26, 2026 | New data weekly | Methodology
Quick Summary
- #1 Neighborhood: West Lawn — 74% average survivability for Gym
- Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 24 of 86 analyzed
- City-wide average: 69% for Gyms
- Most challenging area: Evanston at 63%
- Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~6.2% more expected revenue in West Lawn
- Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- 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
Opening a Gym in Chicago? Our 2026 analysis identifies West Lawn as the top location with 74% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 89% and the most challenging locations in West Lawn at 52%. The worst neighborhoods include Evanston with 63% average chance. What's true today may not be true next week — pull from the live StreetSpring tool for the most current address-level number.
Which Chicago Neighborhoods Are Strongest for Gyms?
West Lawn ranks #1 of 86 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Chicago for Gym survivability with a score of 74% as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:
What separates the top neighborhoods from the rest
| Rank | Neighborhood | Best Locations | Average Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Lawn | 86.0% – 90.0% | 71.2% – 75.3% | 51.0% – 55.0% |
| 2 | Chinatown | 83.0% – 87.0% | 70.4% – 74.5% | 50.0% – 54.0% |
| 3 | East Pilsen | 79.0% – 83.0% | 69.7% – 73.8% | 54.0% – 58.0% |
| 4 | Dearborn Park | 80.0% – 84.0% | 69.6% – 73.7% | 56.0% – 60.0% |
| 5 | The Villa | 77.0% – 81.0% | 69.5% – 73.6% | 60.0% – 64.0% |
| 6 | Printers Row | 82.0% – 86.0% | 69.3% – 73.4% | 61.0% – 65.0% |
| 7 | Dunning | 83.0% – 87.0% | 69.2% – 73.3% | 51.0% – 55.0% |
| 8 | Douglas Park | 83.0% – 87.0% | 69.1% – 73.2% | 47.0% – 51.0% |
| 9 | Marynook | 79.0% – 83.0% | 69.0% – 73.1% | 56.0% – 60.0% |
| 10 | Irving Woods | 80.0% – 84.0% | 68.9% – 73.0% | 59.0% – 63.0% |
What the score spread tells you about risk
Market conditions are changing daily and it is best to use StreetSpring's most up-to-date data. For the most accurate predictions, always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform.
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 Gyms Earn the Most in Chicago
In West Lawn, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~6.2% more than the average location in or around Chicago.
On the other hand, in Evanston, the worst possible location could result in making ~8.4% less than the average location in the city.
No amount of marketing or capital can compensate for a poorly chosen location. Opening a Gym in Chicago requires careful location choice. Across 86 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Gym is 69% for lasting more than 2 years — due to a combination of many factors across competition, consumer spending, and location dynamics. Consumer spending patterns differ dramatically across business types and micro-locations.
What Should I Consider When Opening a Gym in or Around Chicago?
Choosing the right storefront is what separates the businesses that survive from the ones that don't. Use Survivability Score as the primary filter before anything else. Our models show that Revenue Capture Score explains more outcome variance than any other individual metric. StreetSpring computes this by projecting the business's market share, which is based on the quality and quantity of primary, secondary, and tertiary competitors. We have been studying the businesses serving more than 180 million+ Americans. A certain density of competitors signals strong demand and can benefit all businesses. The prediction engine behind these rankings is entirely proprietary — developed in-house over years of research.
| Factor | Where new owners get tripped up | Questions to ask before you sign |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor seating / sidewalk use | Signing assuming you can add patio seating, then learning the city requires a separate sidewalk-cafe permit with long lead times. | Check the city's sidewalk-cafe permit process up front. Confirm landlord allows outdoor build-out in the lease language. |
| CAM + hidden costs | Stated rent looks great, then CAM fees, signage charges, and after-hours utilities add 15-30%. | Get the full operating expense breakdown for the past 2 years. Ask which costs are landlord-capped vs. uncapped. |
| Insurance + compliance | General liability quoted at a starter rate, then jumping 2-3x once you add property + workers' comp + business interruption. | Get binding quotes from 2 insurers before signing the lease. Most landlords require minimum coverage levels — read those terms first. |
This can be summarized as:
Revenue Capture Score = Projected Market Share × Forecasted Spend on Specific Business
Related: Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. StreetSpring refreshes survivability data continuously — check the tool for the most current score at any address.
Where in or Around Chicago Should I Start a Gym?
For this business type, the highest-ranked neighborhoods are West Lawn, Chinatown, and East Pilsen, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Evanston, West Side, and West Beverly. StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool. Market dynamics shift frequently; validate these insights with real-time data from StreetSpring.
Related Articles:
Top-Survivability Chicago Neighborhoods for Gyms
Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Gym in Chicago is West Lawn with 74% average survivability, followed by Chinatown and East Pilsen. 24 of 86 neighborhoods analyzed exceed 70% two-year survival.
StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool.
Are Bottom-Tier Chicago Neighborhoods a No-Go for Gyms?
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. Remember that a neighborhood average smooths over wide variation — your exact block could significantly outperform. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.
When Does StreetSpring Update Chicago Gym Rankings?
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.
Should You Rent Your Chicago Storefront to a Gym?
In West Lawn, StreetSpring forecasts a 71.2% – 75.3% 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
For landlords evaluating tenant applications, StreetSpring's data provides a clear comparison across the top neighborhoods. In West Lawn, a Gym has a 71.2% – 75.3% average chance of surviving more than 2 years. In Chinatown, the range shifts to 70.4% – 74.5%, and in East Pilsen, it is 69.7% – 73.8%. Get a live Survivability Score for your specific storefront at no cost.
StreetSpring delivers address-level predictions, showing how likely hundreds of different businesses are to last at that exact spot.
Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity
Where Gyms Thrive in Chicago
You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Chicago to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago.
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.
Visual Data
Related Resources
Same business type in other cities:
Related:
Related:
More Questions About This Location
Additional questions with answers drawn directly from local data sources.
What's the coverage of StreetSpring's Chicago model for Gyms?
Gyms in Chicago score between 40% and 89% across neighborhoods, with an average of 70%. Block-level scoring captures variation that neighborhood-wide averages can mask.
What does BLS data say about Gym survival nationally?
Per BLS Business Employment Dynamics (March 2025 release), Gyms have a 48% 5-year survival rate nationally. StreetSpring's Chicago model averages 70% across tracked locations — above the national baseline by 22 percentage points.
Which Chicago subtypes have comparable survivability to Gyms?
Chicago subtypes scoring within 2 points of Gyms's 70% average include Grocery Store, Watch Store or Repair Shop, Vitamin & Supplement Store. Survivability convergence at the metro level usually reflects shared local factors like saturation density or demographic fit.
Does accessibility drive Gyms survivability in Chicago?
Median Chicago commute is ~35 minutes. Accessibility-driven foot-traffic variation contributes to the 40-89% survivability range Gyms see across the metro.
What's the broader economic environment in Chicago?
ACS data puts Chicago's employment rate at ~94% and median household income at ~$103K. StreetSpring's Gyms model averages 70% across the metro, weighting both macro and site-specific factors.