B&W is awesome. But it certainly is in the middle of nowhere unless you live in the north.
Quads isn't that far - it's off the red line train. Being right off the train is everything. But that only helps if you or work live near the red line. Conviction Fitness is another option, a lot of the 70s Big Chicago people train there, but it only makes sense if you live off the brown line (eg in Ravenswood or something).
As for neighborhoods, River North has a lot going for it and I suppose it is one of the most like lower Manhattan. But don't rule out more staid neighborhoods like Ravenswood - benefit of that is having the gym between you and work.