Blog

Win a 10-Pack of Guest Passes May 3, 2012

Working out with a friend is much more fun! Twitter Contest: Now through Thursday, May 31, tweet “FFC #SharingIsCaring #Contest” and be entered to win a 10-pack of guest passes. *. *One entry per person. Non-members welcome. Winner will be announced on Friday, June 1. Must be a current Twitter follower at that time to win. Restrictions apply.

Memorial Day Club Hours April 30, 2012

In observance of the Memorial Day Holiday, here are the FFC locations hours for the weekend of May 26 – May 28:

East Lakeview
Halsted Street
Gold Coast
Lincoln Park
Old Town
South Loop
West Loop
Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27 – normal hours
Monday, May 28 – 7:00am – 7:00pm
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Don’t Stress – Stretch! April 26, 2012

By Lisa Payne

You know you should. But with your busy schedule maybe stretching takes a backseat after a killer workout. Here’s what you need to know about stretching and why it’s just as important as your calorie torching workouts.

#1 There’s More Than One Way To Stretch

You don’t always have to do light stretching on the mat. Taking a Vinyasa yoga takes you through a series of movements that open, lengthen and strengthen your body limb-to-limb. Or, try a foam roller to work out stubborn muscle tissue knots. And, you can always use a yoga strap to stretch overly tight hamstrings and a ProStretch for tight calves!
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Pedal America! April 26, 2012

FFC Member, Ira David Levy, Produces and Hosts New National TV Series Pedal America. Most Saturday mornings you can find long-time FFC club member Ira David working out in his bike shorts at Lincoln Park or Old Town. But beginning May 12th you can catch him on WTTW hosting his new national television series, Pedal America. Each 30-minute episode aims to educate, inspire, and encourage riders of all ages to rediscover the basic joys of cycling from journeying through national parks and local urban areas. The series also showcases best routes, bike safety, the development of bike trails, bikeways and bike infrastructure, bicycle repair and maintenance to make cycling less intimidating, and personal stories of how bicycling has helped to transform lives.
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Running away from injury April 26, 2012

With spring starting early this year, so did running and other outdoor activities. With the potential of a longer running season comes more risk of injury.

While you are running, your core is at your feet. It’s the first part of your body that hits the ground and what happens there determines what happens to the rest of the body. There are 26 bones and 19 muscles at the foot and those structures have to work hard as you continually pound the ground. If one or more of these muscles are not functioning as it should, it could lead to compensation, changing your “normal” running gait. By the time you feel pain in the foot, knee, or hip – you probably have been compensating a long time.
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Easter Hours March 31, 2012

In observance of the Easter Holiday, here are the FFC locations hours on Sunday, April 8:

7:00am – 3:00pm
East Lakeview
Halsted Street
Gold Coast
Lincoln Park
Oak Park
South Loop
West Loop

8:00am – 2:00pm
Union Station

Closed
Old Town

Remember to also check the group fitness schedule for holiday class times.

Healthy and Delicious April Recipes March 28, 2012

Created By: Jennifer Ventrelle MS RD CPT

Shrimp is a low-fat protein that is perfectly good for you. It contains fish oils that are good for your heart! Enjoy this healthy recipe for Spice-Rubbed Shrimp Tacos with Red Salsa.

Love veggies? Choose the ones that are brightest or deepest in color, since these contain the most nutritional value. Here is a delightful recipe for Latin-Spiced Oven Roasted Vegetables.

We Can ALL Do It March 28, 2012

I am Kim Fine, the Fitness Specialist at FFC Lincoln Park.

It continues to amaze me when I reflect on my journey over the past 3+ years. What journey is that, you ask? I went from being 320 pounds and barely running a few laps around the FFC track, to losing about 160 pounds and becoming an Olympic Distance Triathlete. It was not an easy road – to say the least! However, one of the most important realizations I had along the way was that I am not special or any more inclined to such success than anyone else who has a goal they want to achieve. 
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Your Top Five Weekly Exercises March 28, 2012

By Lisa Payne

There are hundreds of thousands of exercises you can do per muscle group. But there are five extra important exercises that should most definitely make your weekly list of to-dos!

#1) The Push-Up:
If you think you can get out of doing push-ups, you’re wrong! Push-ups strengthen your anterior deltoids (front side of your shoulders), biceps, chest, abs and even your back. See how many you can do in a minute at least once a week!
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FFC is now on Pinterest! March 16, 2012

For all of you who LOVE social media, come join us on Pinterest! Pinterest is an online pinboard where you can organize and share things you love. We’re showcasing Fitness Tips, Healthy Recipes, Health and Wellness, and more! Yes, these are things that we normally post on Facebook and Twitter, but here they’re stored all in one place!