Chicago's BIAN is What Happens When a Team of Doctors Open a Gym

Getting in a good workout takes some negotiating these days, but when COVID allows, guys who know there’s more to keeping fit than squats and dumbbell rows should check out BIÂN.

This 25,000-square-foot membership club packs some serious medical cred with an assist from Chicago Blackhawks physician Dr. Angelo Costas and leading plastic surgeon Dr. Julius Few (not to mention specialists in naturopathy, nutrition and Eastern therapies).

Available services cover an entire spectrum of health and fitness practices, and are organized into five broad categories: Studio, Fitness and Mobility means traditional gym offerings (weight training, yoga, pilates) as well as chiropractic, physical therapy and even sound healing; Beauty involves a number of cosmetic treatments, from toning to microneedling to fillers; Spa/Therapeutic includes standard treatments along with next-gen procedures like infrared saunas and cryotherapy; Medical gets you bloodwork, saliva testing and other basic analyses; and Well-Being is a catchall for nutrition as well as things like stress and sleep management. In other words, they’ve taken every single proactive exercise that can protect your body from illness and injury and rolled them up under one roof.

Below, we chat with Chairman Kevin Boehm (of Boka Restaurant Group), CEO Joseph Fisher and Chief Wellness Officer Mar Soraparu on what to expect from the BIÂN experience.

InsideHook: It’s not unusual for high-end clubs to have licensed nutritionists and physical therapists, but how does BIÂN go a step further?

Kevin Boehm: We have created an entire ecosystem of wellness where all of the doctors, practitioners, healers and trainers on staff all share information to help you find a healthier and more centered version of yourself. Dr. Marcie Claybon, Director of Concierge Medicine, Dr. Sandra Subotich, Director of Eastern Therapies, and Dr. Ben Schuff, Director of Naturopathy and Nutrition, are all on site full time. Our holistic apothecary supports this ecosystem and we have unique offerings, like our listening room or our nap room, which take and sleep into consideration holistically, and we have created a serious food and beverage program with Consulting Chef Lee Wolen that we believe seriously exceeds the offerings usually presented at private clubs, both in nutritional content and overall execution.

What sort of physical assessment can members expect?

Joseph Fisher: Every member receives an InBody770 body composition analysis as well as a meeting with their Wellness Advisor to introduce them to the capabilities of the club and build a wellness plan. In addition, they receive an FMS (Functional Movement Screen) consultation with one of our trainers to assess their needs. The Wellness Advisor will remain your touchstone throughout your membership. There is also a Concierge option with which members receive an executive physical that includes full blood work analysis.

When it comes to breaking as sweat, where does BIÂN shine?

Mar Soraparu: The goal of the fitness and studio programming isn’t driven by creativity just for the sake of being innovative, but rather, we focus on what is fundamentally proven to be incredibly effective, challenging, safe and approachable for the long term. “Customized” and “quality” are the key words when it comes to what BIÂN represents with fitness. BIÂN is home to the best-in-class fitness coaches and studio instructors who approach each member will purpose and intention — not ego.