Club Athletic, a membership-based fitness and social community formerly known as The Athletic Clubs, is getting ready to open two new locations in Chicago at 1035 W. Lake St. and 1350 N. Wells St.
The company’s first two locations outside New York City are scheduled to open in August 2026, according to the Chicago Business Journal. The West Loop facility will operate as Lake Street Athletic, while the Old Town location will be known as Old Town Athletic. Founder Dane McCarthy has identified Chicago as the first stop in the company’s planned national expansion. Customers can expect Club Athletic’s squad-based training model, which pairs members with fixed training groups and dedicated coaches.
“We wanted a name that was more unified and embodied not just our physical locations, but our lifestyle,” McCarthy said in a press release. “In the truest sense of the word, we are a club: we believe that collective pursuit is exponentially more powerful than solo effort, and our new name reflects how we move forward together.”
Founded in 2020, Club Athletic currently operates seven locations throughout New York City. The company recently rebranded from The Athletic Clubs to Club Athletic as part of a broader growth strategy that includes expansion into new markets. Along with the name change, the company introduced a refreshed visual identity and branding designed to reflect its community-focused approach to fitness. Future plans include additional locations in New York City and an expansion into the Washington, D.C., market.
According to the company, its training model centers on consistency, accountability, and long-term member engagement. Rather than offering traditional drop-in fitness classes, members train twice per week with the same group and coach. The company has built its reputation around creating structured routines while fostering connections among members through social programming and community events.
The West Loop location, Lake Street Athletic, will occupy approximately 1,700 square feet at 1035 W. Lake St. Both Chicago facilities will continue the company’s neighborhood-based naming convention, joining existing locations such as West Village Athletic and Williamsburg Athletic in New York. This approach allows each club to maintain a distinct local identity while remaining connected to the larger Club Athletic brand.
The Chicago expansion represents a significant milestone for the company as it begins growing beyond its home market. Both West Loop and Old Town continue to attract new residential development and active-lifestyle-focused businesses, making them natural fits for the concept. This will be an excellent landing space for Club Athletic as it introduces its community-driven fitness model to Chicago residents.
“We are unapologetic about our growth because we believe everyone deserves a squad,” McCarthy added. “This next chapter is about bringing that sense of belonging to more communities across the country.”
