Look, if you’ve lived in the western suburbs for any length of time, you probably know the big building near the Seven Bridges cinema. You might still call it Edward Health and Fitness Woodridge. Honestly, most of us do. But if you’re trying to find it on a map today, you’ll see a different name: the Fitness & Wellness Center – Seven Bridges, now part of the Endeavor Health network.
It’s not just a name change. This place is weirdly different from your neighborhood Planet Fitness or that LA Fitness down the street. It’s a "medical fitness center," which sounds kind of boring and clinical, but in reality, it just means the people running the place actually have degrees in exercise science instead of just a weekend certification and a tub of pre-workout.
Why this isn't your average "meathead" gym
I've talked to people who are intimidated by this place because it’s connected to a hospital system. They think they’ll be walking on treadmills next to people in hospital gowns. Not even close.
The Woodridge facility is massive. We’re talking about a multi-floor setup with a legitimate indoor track, a huge basketball court, and enough pickleball action to satisfy the most obsessed players in DuPage County. But the real "secret sauce" here is the staffing. Since it’s medically integrated, the trainers are often working with people who have actual health issues—think rehab after a heart attack, managing Parkinson’s, or dealing with a nasty bout of arthritis.
The Pool Situation (It’s better than you think)
Most gyms have one pool if you’re lucky. Edward Health and Fitness Woodridge has four.
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- A lap pool for the serious swimmers.
- A therapy pool that’s kept at a temperature that feels like a warm bath (great for sore joints).
- A kids' pool for the "Kidzone" programs.
- A deep-well area.
If you’ve ever tried to do physical therapy in a standard gym pool, you know it’s usually freezing and crowded with teenagers doing cannonballs. Here, it’s a bit more controlled. It’s where the "wellness" part of the name actually starts to make sense.
The Endeavor Health Rebrand: What actually changed?
In late 2023, the whole NorthShore and Edward-Elmhurst system rebranded to Endeavor Health. If you’re a member, your key tag still works. The machines are the same. The smell of chlorine and clean towels is still there.
The biggest shift has been the integration of digital health records. Basically, if your doctor is in the Endeavor system, they can (with your permission) actually see what you’re doing at the gym. It’s a bit "Big Brother," but it’s incredibly helpful if you’re trying to lower your blood pressure and your doctor wants to see if those 30 minutes on the elliptical are actually happening.
Let’s talk about the price (because it’s not cheap)
I’ll be real with you: this isn't a $10-a-month gym. Most people pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $70 to $90 a month for an individual membership. Students and seniors get a break, but it’s an investment.
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Is it worth it?
It depends on what you use. If you just want to lift a dumbbell and leave, go to a budget gym. But if you use the steam room, the sauna, the whirlpool, and you actually show up for the group classes—which are unlimited and included—the math starts to work out. They even have a "Daytime" membership option for folks who can get their sweat on between 11 am and 4 pm, which is significantly cheaper.
Surprising things they have that nobody mentions
Most people don't realize there’s a full-service spa inside the Woodridge location. It’s called the Spa at Seven Bridges. You don’t even have to be a member to go there, though members get a 10% discount. They do the whole nine yards: massages, facials, waxing, and even "advanced skin care."
Then there’s the Kidzone. It’s not just a room with a TV and some sticky blocks. They have actual programming for kids from 6 weeks old up to 11 years. It’s one of the few places where you can drop the kids off and actually get a 90-minute workout in without feeling guilty because they’re actually doing "fitness" stuff too.
Common misconceptions about the Woodridge location
- "It's only for old people." Wrong. While the senior community loves the warm water therapy, you’ll see high school athletes training for explosive power and 30-somethings in high-intensity HIIT classes. It’s a mix.
- "You need a doctor's note to join." Nope. Anyone can walk in off Route 53 and sign up. You only need a doctor involved if you’re doing specific medical programs like Cardiac Rehab.
- "The Naperville location is better." Actually, the Naperville downtown fitness center closed its doors in 2023. A lot of those members migrated to Woodridge, making the Seven Bridges location the "flagship" for the area now.
How to actually get results here
If you're going to join Edward Health and Fitness Woodridge, don't just wander around the machines.
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Start with the Member Success 360 (or whatever they’re calling the orientation this week). It’s usually free for new members. They’ll do a body composition analysis—which is a fancy way of telling you exactly how much of you is muscle and how much is that deep-dish pizza from last night.
Use the indoor track in the winter. Seriously. Running on a treadmill is a special kind of hell, but the track at Woodridge is elevated and gives you a view of the whole facility. It makes the miles go by way faster.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're thinking about checking it out, don't just sign up online.
- Go for a tour: Walk in and ask for a tour. See if the "vibe" fits. Check the locker rooms. If the steam room is out of order, you want to know that before you swipe your card.
- Check your insurance: Some Blue Cross Blue Shield or UnitedHealthcare plans have "Fitness@Home" or "SilverSneakers" benefits that can cut your monthly dues by 50% or more.
- Ask about the initiation fee: They almost always have a deal where they waive the sign-up fee if you join during a "promotion" month (usually January, May, or September).
- Try a guest pass: Members get a few guest passes a year. If you know someone who goes there, ask them to take you on a Saturday morning.
The reality of Edward Health and Fitness Woodridge is that it’s a high-end facility that functions more like a community center than a gym. It’s clean, it’s quiet compared to the big-box gyms, and you’re much less likely to get filmed by a TikTok "influencer" while you’re trying to do squats. In 2026, that’s worth the extra few bucks.