Best Treadmill & Interval Training Classes in Chicago

5.0
5,728 reviews

MOMENTUM OP in Oak Park runs treadmill-focused interval classes on Woodway treadmills, and the equipment choice matters more here than at most studios: members who train on Woodways after years on standard belt treadmills consistently describe the impact reduction as significant, particularly for people managing knee or hip sensitivity. The programming alternates between tread intervals and strength work in a format that members compare to Orange Theory's structure but with a community feel that's distinctly its own.

What genuinely sets MOMENTUM OP apart in the Chicago-area reviews is its culture. Members coming from CrossFit and Hyrox backgrounds describe the environment as the first place they've trained where intensity was encouraged without the judgment that sometimes accompanies it. The coaching here is specific, motivating, and attentive to modification needs , which matters in a class format where the treadmill is the primary tool.

"Great coach. Good vibes. Love these treadmills."

"Warm and welcoming staff, great workout, and awesome treads. Will be back!"

"I've been humbled in the best way. Even though the scoreboards are similar to Orange Theory, the environment and inclusivity are what set Momentum apart. [Instructor] was an excellent coach , precise, motivating, and so helpful as a first timer. I modify some movements and in no way did I feel judged. The space is clean, well equipped, and the Woodway treads are chef's kiss for the knee joints. Will definitely be back!"

5.0
9,115 reviews

Bunda Old Town runs a stair master and weights format that draws direct comparisons to Barry's in every review, but with a stair climber where the treadmill would be. For people who find treadmill running hard on their joints or simply want a different kind of cardio challenge, the stair master provides the same interval and intensity structure with a different movement pattern. Members who've done both formats routinely describe Bunda as the more challenging version.

The weight programming at this Old Town location gets strong marks for being substantive rather than decorative: the floor rounds use compound movements and meaningful loads rather than the lighter weights that sometimes accompany cardio-first class formats. For Chicago members who want the treadmill interval format's training structure applied to stair climbing and heavy lifting, this is the city's best version of that combination.

"Honestly this place is the Barry's you actually want to do again and again. The stair master part was much tougher than I thought but easier to push myself than running on some treadmill. The weight movements were well linked together and the staff were so kind and excited for us to be there. FYI: The classes are co-ed and I loved it. Can't wait to go again!"

"This was so fun! [Instructor] was super knowledgeable and the instruction was clear and felt very effective. It's like Barry's but with a stair master."

"Great class! I love the use of the stairmaster instead of a treadmill like so many other places. [Instructor] was great and made sure we were all using the right form!"

5.0
2,912 reviews

Shred415 Naperville runs the same Woodway treadmill interval format as the city locations, divided into four 15-minute blocks alternating between tread drills and strength training. The Naperville location serves the western suburbs and draws members who want the Shred415 format without the density of the Lincoln Park and Old Town locations. The pacing and intensity feel consistent with the rest of the Shred415 network, and the suburban location is typically less rushed in terms of class turnover.

Instruction quality at Naperville gets consistent high marks, with coaches who keep the energy high through the tread intervals and provide clear cues for transitioning between stations. For members who train in the western suburbs or commute through the area, this is a reliable version of one of Chicago's most established treadmill formats, available without heading into the city.

"[Instructor] is just the best! Killer workout in the best way. Such a balanced deck and tread, fire energy and instruction and cues are so on point, and love that she blasts the music right when you need it. Seriously the best workout."

"Great class! I like the variety of the workout and also the treadmill component to help build my endurance."

"The workout was great, providing a challenging routine while allowing you to move at your own pace. The vibe was great, very encouraging and welcoming! The [Instructor] did a great job leading the workout for all, and moving from the treadmills to weights made it go by really fast."

4.8
48,176 reviews

Studio Three Lincoln Park runs a three-station interval format that combines treadmill, rower, and floor strength work in short rotating circuits. It's the version of the interval format that members most frequently compare to Orange Theory , minus the heart rate monitor , but with a community atmosphere that's distinctly Studio Three's own. The class is three levels high, with each floor dedicated to a different discipline, and the interval structure keeps the class moving fast enough that 50 minutes feels like 30.

The treadmill portion here is paired with a strong audio setup and instruction that's consistently praised for clarity: members new to the format describe knowing exactly what to do on the tread even in a packed class. The Lincoln Park location is the flagship, and it shows in the experience quality and in the consistency of what The review data shows class to class.

"[Instructor]'s class felt really welcoming. I was encouraged to push myself but also take it at my own pace. I was nervous about taking the class as I'm recovering from an injury and knew I'd have to walk or take it slow on the treadmill, but the atmosphere of the class made that totally fine."

"Awesome interval class. Loved the short circuits on the weights, tread, and rower. [Instructor] had a great playlist too!"

"Heather was super nice! It's a lot like a Barry's class and I felt like I was able to challenge myself."

3.7
34,729 reviews

Studio Three Fulton Market brings the three-station interval format into Chicago's most energetically charged fitness neighborhood. The class structure is the same as Lincoln Park , treadmill, rower, and floor rotating in short intervals , but the Fulton Market location attracts a crowd that's slightly younger and more style-conscious without being any less serious about the workout. The treadmills here get called out specifically in member reviews for being unusually high quality, which matters when the tread portion is where the cardio intensity concentrates.

The format is explicitly beginner-accessible, but the reviews are honest that the multi-station setup requires attention during the first class. The rowing machine in particular is worth arriving early to get a brief tutorial on if you haven't used one before. Once you have the layout, the class flows well and the instruction is strong enough to keep you oriented throughout.

"[Instructor] was great! Very enthusiastic and motivational. It was a good workout, with good variety of cardio to core and arm strength. For it being my first time at Studio Three, all the staff was very helpful and informative."

"I enjoyed the dark space and how well organized the class was. The treadmills are so nice , I've never run on such a nice treadmill."

"Fast-paced, motivating [Instructor], and a nice place to work out. The 3x3 interval is similar to Orange Theory minus the recording bands."

3.6
9,893 reviews

Shred415 Old Town is the original Chicago Shred415 location, and it's built a decade-long following in Lincoln Park that keeps the classes full. The Woodway treadmill intervals here are the same four-block format as other Shred415 locations , 15 minutes on the tread, 15 minutes on the floor, repeated , and the Old Town location benefits from an instructor roster that's been running the format long enough to know exactly how to cue it for all levels.

Members are specific in their recommendations here: the format is consistent across the class schedule, but standout instructors can elevate the tread sessions significantly. The class reviews make clear that who teaches matters as much as what's taught in a format this structured. Instructor selection is worth paying attention to when booking, and the studio's longer-tenured coaches are the ones who consistently generate the strongest reviews for the treadmill sessions.

"Favorite class to date. Treadmill runs were very challenging and fun. Love how [Instructor] broke up the two-minute runs with frequent speed and incline changes to break it up and feel progressively challenging."

"[Instructor] was great! I enjoyed that the class was split evenly between the treadmills and the floor exercises, so we completed one before finishing with the other. The AC was wonderfully above average."

"Shred 415 is a fun workout. The treadmills are also super high-quality so they're good on your knees."

Best treadmill and interval training classes in Chicago

and runners within the same session

MOMENTUM OP, Oak Park, Chicago area

Bunda, Old Town, Chicago

Shred415, Naperville, Chicago area

Studio Three, Lincoln Park, Chicago

Studio Three, Fulton Market, Chicago

Shred415, Old Town, Chicago

Book a treadmill class in Chicago

Company

Corporate wellness

Trial & member support

Partners

Community