Quads Gym

It began as a dream shared between two childhood friends, 35 years ago, in a basement.

Dave De Young and Tom Milanovich lived that dream, opening a gym where friends could gather to lift weights, to get stronger and back then, to compete. Quads Gym evolved from Tom’s basement to a small storefront space, to the 46,000 square foot space in Calumet City, just south of Chicago, known back then as the “Land of the Giants” where true bodybuilders trained hard.

The second location opened on Chicago’s North Side in 1988, with another 40,000 square feet boasting 115 pieces of cardio, 5 complete sets of dumbbells, kettle bells, 45 pieces of Hammer Strength, and hundreds of other unique pieces from Cybex, Paramount, Nebula, Strength Inc., Elite Systems and Sports Art. All of this as well as boards, chains, farmers walk handles, a log, and a dead lift platform. Boxing, pilates and martial arts all combine to make it easy for bodybuilders to train here along with your everyday fitness enthusiast.

Gym member Greg Sorrells says, “if you’re serious about lifting, or if you want to be a power lifter in Chicago, you absolutely must come to Quads. Supportive atmosphere - everything you need to train is here. You can really get down to business, but it’s respectful,people give us our space and we give them theirs. It’s really given me a place to grow as an athlete, and Dave really likes it when we make some noise!"

Among the many accolades bestowed on Quads:

• Top 10 Gyms in America - M