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Fitness Center in Peoria, IL
Fitness. Health. Community. It's Where You Belong!
Family-run for over 50 years, The Clubs at River City is Peoria's most complete fitness center — built around your goals, your family, and a community that's been growing stronger since Lee O'Connell opened our doors in 1972. From group fitness and personal training to swimming, tennis, gymnastics, and youth programs, this is your spot to live strong and feel at home.
20,000+ satisfied customers over 50 years
Quick Summary
The Clubs at River City is a family-run fitness center in Peoria, IL, serving over 3 generations of members since 1972. We offer a full fitness center, group fitness classes, personal training, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, gymnastics, youth programs, and Peoria's newest Red Light Therapy. Located at 8603 N. University in Peoria — call (309) 693-5700 to schedule a tour.
One Membership · Every Goal
Peoria's most trusted fitness center for every age and goal
Members come to The Clubs at River City for the fitness center, but stay for the community. Our Peoria, IL location offers everything under one membership — fitness center access, group fitness classes, personal training, swim lessons, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, gymnastics and cheer, basketball, a kid's club, preschool, and Red Light Therapy recovery. One club. One membership. Every age, every goal.
Whether you thrive on the energy of a dynamic class or prefer one-on-one coaching with our dedicated trainers at a fitness center in Peoria, IL, there’s a perfect fit for you here. You’ll connect with like-minded members, share your wins, and discover how a supportive environment can elevate your goals. Our team is with you at every turn, celebrating your progress every step of the way.
Featured Partner of the Month!
Download Our New Club App! Available Now!
How do I know if a fitness center membership is right for me?
If you have been thinking about getting back in shape, recovering from an injury, training for an event, or simply wanting to feel better day to day, a fitness center membership is one of the most reliable ways to make it stick. The hardest part of fitness is not the workout. It is showing up. The Clubs at River City makes showing up easier with a welcoming environment, friendly faces, and programs that meet you exactly where you are today, whether that is your first time on a treadmill or your hundredth swim lap.
You're a good fit for The Clubs if you want:
- A clean, well-equipped fitness center with minimal wait times
- A community that knows your name, not just your member number
- Programs for the whole family, not just one person
- Coaching and support without the high-pressure sales tactics of corporate chains
What's included with a Clubs at River City membership?
One membership at The Clubs at River City unlocks the full Peoria campus, and that is a lot more than a typical gym. You get full access to our fitness center with cardio, strength, and functional training equipment from top brands like Matrix, Life Fitness, Nautilus, and Stages. You also get group fitness classes (yoga, spin, strength, and more), our two indoor pools and four outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, basketball, and virtual fitness you can stream any time through the member portal.
Members also get access to our Kiddie City playroom during set hours, so your workout does not have to wait until you find a sitter. A few programs run outside the membership and are booked or registered separately: River City Preschool, Kid's Club youth fitness, Sports Zone Camp, birthday parties and rentals, and red light therapy. Each one is listed below.
Why choose a local fitness center over a national chain?
National chains compete on price. We compete on community. The Clubs at River City has been family-run since 1972, and three generations of the O'Connell family have shaped this club into what it is today. We were the first in Peoria to launch senior fitness classes, the first in the country to open a stand-alone youth fitness center, and we partnered with local hospitals to bring cardiac rehab and physical therapy programs to our members. We do not sell aggressive contracts or chase the latest fitness fad. We invest in the people of Peoria, and we have been doing it for more than 50 years.
Everything you'll find at The Clubs at River City
From your first workout to your hundredth, every program here is built around the same idea: you belong. Most of what you see below is included with your membership. A few programs are registered or booked separately, and each card tells you which is which.
Fitness Center
Included with membership
Full cardio, strength, and functional training equipment from Matrix, Life Fitness, Nautilus, and more. Minimal wait times, maximum results.
Explore →Personal Training
Add-on service · Members
Certified trainers who build your program around your goals, not a generic template.
Explore →Group Fitness
Included with membership
Yoga, spin, strength, and more, with high-energy and slower-paced options every day of the week.
Explore →Swimming & Aquatics
Included with membership
Two indoor pools and four outdoor pools, open swim, adult aquatics classes, and water volleyball. Peoria's most comprehensive aquatics program.
Explore →Swim Lessons
Registration required · Members & non-members
Year-round swim lessons for kids and adults, taught by certified instructors in our indoor pools.
Explore →Tennis
Included with membership · Court time may apply
Indoor and outdoor courts across our North and South Tennis Centers, with beginner clinics, junior programs, and competitive leagues.
Explore →Pickleball
Included with membership
Open play, leagues, and lessons for the fastest-growing sport in Peoria.
Explore →Gymnastics & Cheer
Registration required · Members & non-members
Year-round gymnastics, cheer, and tumbling programs that build strength, confidence, and friendships.
Explore →Basketball
Included with membership
Open court time for pick-up games and training, plus court rentals during most club hours.
Explore →Red Light Therapy
Add-on service · Members & guests
Peoria's newest recovery and wellness offering. Red light therapy for muscle recovery, skin health, and overall well-being.
Explore →Kid's Club Youth Fitness
Youth program
Our youth fitness center, built for kids who want to move, train, and build confidence. Age-appropriate strength, conditioning, and movement coaching in a room that is theirs. Open after school Monday to Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Explore →Kiddie City Playroom
Included with membership · Limited hours
Our supervised playroom, so you can get your workout in while the kids play. Open during set hours only:
- Mon / Wed / Fri: 9:00 to 11:00am
- Tue / Thu: 5:00 to 7:00pm
- Saturday: 8:30 to 11:00am
River City Preschool
Enrollment required · Open to the community
A nurturing, fitness-focused early learning program open Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 5:30pm. Membership is not required to enroll.
Explore →Birthday Parties & Rentals
Booked separately · Members & non-members
Pool parties, gymnastics parties, sports parties, and full facility rentals for groups of all sizes.
Explore →Sports Zone Camp
Registration required · Members & non-members
School-day-out camps, holiday camps, and full summer camp, keeping Peoria kids active when school is out.
Explore →A Peoria fitness landmark since 1972
Lee O'Connell came home from the Korean War with a Bradley basketball career behind him and a vision in front of him: build a place in Peoria where people of every age could move, compete, and belong. He started with four tennis courts. Today Lee's son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter run The Clubs at River City, and Lee's founding creed still guides every decision we make: build community, hire the best, and always play with heart.
Ready to find your spot?
Stop in for a tour, take a class on us, or just call and ask questions. There's no pressure here — only people who want to help you feel better. Three campuses, one community, and a club that's been welcoming Peoria families for over 50 years.
Latest News & Featured Articles
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Scottish windsurfer Andy Brown will return to Weymouth, England, from September 4–12, 2026, to defend his iQFOiL World Championship title. Facing a field featuring European and Olympic medalists, the reigning champion has increased his body mass and refined his strength program to meet the event’s demanding high-speed and light-wind conditions.…
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Andy Brown Adds Strength and Size for His 2026 iQFOiL World Title Defense
Scottish windsurfer Andy Brown will return to Weymouth, England, from September 4–12, 2026, to defend his iQFOiL World Championship title. Facing a field featuring European and Olympic medalists, the reigning champion has increased his body mass and refined his strength program to meet the event’s demanding high-speed and light-wind conditions. Key takeaways Brown is preparing…
Frequently asked questions about The Clubs at River City
How much does a membership at The Clubs at River City cost?
Does The Clubs at River City offer day passes or guest passes?
What ages can take swim lessons at The Clubs at River City?
Is there a family membership at The Clubs at River City?
Where is The Clubs at River City located in Peoria?
What hours is The Clubs at River City open?
Do you offer personal training in Peoria?
What makes The Clubs at River City different from other gyms in Peoria?
Does The Clubs at River City offer Red Light Therapy?
Can I rent The Clubs at River City for a birthday party or event?
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Contact Information
info@clubsatrivercity.com
Athletic Club: (309) 693-5700
8603 N. University Peoria, IL 61615
Monday – Thursday: 5am – 9pm
Friday: 5am – 8pm
Saturday & Sunday: 7am – 7:30pm
South Tennis: (309) 693-5710
1700 W. Altorfer Dr. Peoria, IL 61615
Monday – Thurs: 8am – 8pm
Closed Mon-Thurs: 1pm-4pm
Friday: 8am - 1pm
Saturday: 8am - 12pm
Sunday: Closed for Summer
North Tennis:
1527 W. Altorfer Dr. Peoria, IL 61615
Same as South Tennis Hours
Kid’s Club: (309) 693-5700
8615 N. University Peoria, IL 61615
Monday – Thursday: 3:30pm – 6:30pm
Saturday: 9am – 2pm
River City Preschool: (309) 693-5757
8615 N. University Peoria, IL 61615
Monday – Friday: 6:30am – 5:30pm
Location
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