Ways Pilates makes you mentally stronger and why you should try the workout - Pilates Chicago

4 Ways Pilates Makes You Mentally Stronger And Why You Should Try It

If you have heard anything about Pilates, you have probably heard it makes your core stronger, gets you toned and increases your flexibility. Something you may not have heard is that Pilates makes you smarter - as in more intelligent, improved…

5 Tips for Getting Your Pre-Baby Body Back

Well, my little baby girl recently turned five months old and I cannot stress enough that exercise and sleep are what will get you through those first few months. I know it sounds crazy… new moms, you’re probably thinking something like,…

How To: Use the MyFitnessPal App to Lose More Weight

So you've made the decision to track your nutrition. Congratulations! Meal tracking can improve one’s diet, promote more mindful eating behaviors, provide lots of new information for your benefit as well as for your doctor or dietitian and…
Woman on treadmill doing cardio

Do You Know Which Piece of Cardio Equipment is Best for You?

Cardiovascular training, better known as “cardio”, is the process of working to improve your heart and lung health. It mostly relies upon the aerobic energy system – a system in which the body expends energy – to complete the exercises.…
How to fight colds faster

How to Fight Colds Faster

Winter weather gets a bad rap for also wreaking havoc on your health. Common questions we hear all the time include those such as “what’s the best way to boost your immune system before cold season?”, “what should you take to help prevent…

Member Stories: An Inside Look Into the Fitness Routine of a Training Olympic Athlete

  In May of 2009 I had received word from my parents that my mom had gone in for a check-up due to recurring headaches, and that the MRI showed a couple of lesions on her brain. After a hard, five-month long fight (during which she maintained…
How FFC Helped Me Win My First Bodybuilding Competition

How FFC Helped Me Win My First Bodybuilding Competition

I first came to the US in 2009. Having grown up in New Zealand, I was not used to the portion sizes of various fast food options in America. Despite my effort to maintain my weight, poor diet and the lack of an exercise routine slowly took a…
Member Stories: How I Went From Spin Bike to Road Bike at FFC

Member Stories: How I Went From Spin Bike to Road Bike at FFC

My journey started 10 years ago, in 2007. In the early 2000’s, I was your typical 40-year old guy. Happily married, great social life, working too hard, overweight, and eating and drinking all wrong. I thought working out equaled going to…
How exercise helped me with my autoimmune disorders

Member Stories: How Exercise Helped With My Autoimmune Disorders

For most of my life, I’ve struggled with developing healthy habits. Whether it was exercising enough or eating right, it never came easy for me. Despite several setbacks, I finally got it together and lost 50 lbs! My success, however, was…
Member Stories: Here's What Happened When I Tried MYZONE

Member Stories: Here’s What Happened When I Tried MYZONE

Before MYZONE, and as a fitness fanatic, I always ask myself a few questions after each time I exercise: Was that good workout? How many calories did I burn? Was that better than last time? Typically, the answer to this was based…

How FFC Helped Me Lose Weight & Recover From A Herniated Disc

Before my back surgery in June 2016 for a herniated disc, I weighed in at 200 pounds. On my 5’4” frame, the extra weight was destroying my health. The year before, I had sustained not one, but two herniated discs in my lower back. Although…
How the Move2Win fitness challenge helped me change my perspective on exercise

Member Stories: How the Move2Win Fitness Challenge Changed My Perspective on Exercise

I saw the signs plastered all over FFC East Lakeview: “Move2Win, Join Now!” Even trainers were wearing blue shirts with “Move2Win” on them. I wasn’t sure what was going on at first, but eventually I learned it was a fitness challenge…
How FFC Union Station helped me get fit and become a beast by 40

Member Stories: How FFC Union Station Helped Me Get Fit and Become a Beast by 40

I’ve been a member of FFC Union Station for six years with varying levels of fitness success, but got soft over the past two years. I made all the excuses: travel for work, no free time for the gym, back surgery recipient… did I really need…
How I made a lifestyle change and lost over 65 pounds

Member Stories: How I Made a Lifestyle Change And Lost 65 Pounds

In June 2015, I had the realization that I was at my highest weight. I had been in denial that I was gaining weight for a few years prior to that; the weight had just inched its way on over time. This weight gain was greatly due to secretly…
Member Stories: How TriMonster Helped Me Finish My First Triathlon at 70

Member Stories: How TriMonster Helped Me Finish My First Triathlon at 70

This past year, I decided it was time to get serious about endurance – specifically in swimming. I spent a lot of time researching and clicked through many web pages reading up on FFC’s TriMonster Endurance program. “If not now, when?”…
My life-changing Pilates transformation pre and post-hip surgery

Pilates Transformation: Pre and Post-Hip Surgery Rehab

Recovering from surgery, or even a minor injury, can be frustrating and discouraging. In the time it takes to recover, the body can change drastically. In 2014 I sustained a hip labral tear and ended up getting surgery to repair it. After surgery,…
Member Stories: How I Stayed Active With An Injury

Member Stories: How I Stayed Active With An Injury

Getting an injury is never a fun situation. Especially when you’ve been focused all winter and all you want to do is show off your hard work! Regardless of where you’re at in your fitness journey, it can happen to anyone. I recently sustained…

Member Stories: How FFC South Loop Helped Me Get To The American Hockey League

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a professional hockey referee? Skating for the entire duration of games, keeping up with the players and even getting into the middle of fights, these athletes need to be in the best shape possible.…

Learning From Failure – How Boxing Changed My Life

My name is Charise Horn. Fitness has always been a huge part of my life - especially in the last few years. In January 2013 I decided to change my lifestyle for the better. I was 250 pounds, depressed, my confidence was to the floor, I was trying…
How FFC helped me with my fitness transformation

Member Stories: How FFC Helped Me With My Fitness Transformation

My weight has gone up and down for the past 20 years. I would lose weight and be somewhat fit, but over time, I would gain it all back (and then some). I must have repeated this cycle three times over the past 15 years. I knew it was time for…