Best happy hours in West Loop in Chicago

Best Happy Hours in West Loop

Now that happy hour is legal in the city of Chicago again (yes, there used to be restrictions on the happiest hours of the day in the past), we thought it would be a good idea to compile a list of the best happy hours in West Loop for you…
5 fitness tips for any kind of injury or pain

5 Must-Have Fitness Tips for Any Kind of Pain or Injury

If you love activity as much as I do, chances are you’ve had to battle your fair share of pain or injury. I’m not only talking about the blown-out knees, dislocated shoulders and all the cringe-worthy stories - I’m also talking about…
Tips for getting back into a fitness routine

5 Tips to Get You Back Into Your Fitness Routine

We have all probably said it at some point or another – “I’ll start working out tomorrow” or “My diet starts Monday”. How often do we keep putting this off as we let time slip away from us? Too often. Fitness is about routine and…
Best registered dietitian-approved nutrition books for reference

Top 10 Registered Dietitian-Approved Nutrition Books and Documentaries

There is a LOT of information on nutrition out there - especially in this day and age! What do you do when you find varying facts, opinions and best practices The FFC Registered Dietitians have taken care of that for you and compiled a list…
Best bars in Boystown, Chicago.

The Best Bars in Boystown Chicago

The stretch of Halsted Street in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood (from Belmont to Grace), affectionately referred to as Boystown, has some of the best bars and nightclubs geared for the LGBT community (and great brunch spots nearby, like these!).…
Best active date spots in Chicago during warmer weather

The 4 Best Active Summer Date Spots in Chicago

After a long, cold Chicago winter, it’s time to heat things up with someone special by your side. While heading to the beach or for drinks on a rooftop are always great go-to options for an outdoor date, Barbie Adler, president and founder…
A personal trainer story: what my first client taught me.

A Personal Trainer Story: What My First Client Taught Me

My name is JP and I’ve been in the fitness and training industry for 7 years - from a personal trainer to fitness director. Here on the blog we always tend to see client testimonials, but I want to do something different - give another perspective.…
5 healthy restaurants in Lincoln Park in Chicago for your next night out.

5 Healthy Restaurants in Lincoln Park

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice a well-deserved night out just because it can wreak havoc on your diet! However, it can be tough to find those delicious AND healthy restaurants when you want to dine out. Have no fear, we've compiled a list…
Member Stories: How Exercise Helped Me Overcome My Fibromyalgia

Member Stories: How Exercise Helped Me Overcome My Fibromyalgia

On November 25, 2013, my life was forever changed—I had gastric bypass surgery. My husband and I made this life changing decision based on the incredible pain I had been in for the two years prior due to fibromyalgia. Back In early 1995,…
30 minute recipe: try the souping diet

30-Minute Recipe: Try the Souping Diet

Ever heard of souping? If you haven’t already, you likely will. Souping has been touted as “the new juicing.” Before you roll your eyes, take a look at what the trend entails and how it can make eating healthy during these colder months…
Deliciously healthy restaurants in West Loop in Chicago

5 Deliciously Healthy Restaurants in West Loop

While a rigorous workout at FFC West Loop can leave you feeling energized and content, dining out in the area shouldn't make you nervous about derailing your healthy eating habits. After all, getting out and enjoying a meal (or a happy hour…
Best bars in Chicago's South Loop

Best Bars in Chicago’s South Loop

Narrowing down the best bars in Chicago’s South Loop is like trying to choose your favorite group fitness class -- it can be done, but it sure isn’t easy! For instance, some days you need that extra blast of cardio, while other days…
Nutrition 101: how to balance macros - nutrition

Nutrition 101: How to Balance Macros

It’s 5 PM and you’ve almost hit your daily 60-gram macro limit for fat (or some other type of macro), and you haven’t even had dinner yet. What’s a flexible dieter to do? How do you balance macros? This is a question I get from my…
Better fitness: 5 things you should stop doing at the gym

Better Fitness: 5 Things You Should Stop Doing At The Gym

From myths and “advice” that has been taken way too far to poor workout habits, here are 5 things you should stop doing at the gym that will help you gym better and see better results. Trust us! Easy does it, Road Runner! High-intensity…
6 best coffee spots in Chicago's Loop

The 6 Best Spots for Coffee in Chicago’s Loop

Whether you need a morning cup of coffee to start your day or afternoon pick-me-up to power through, stepping out of the office for coffee in Chicago's Loop is a great way to inject some energy into your routine. While there are arguments…
Plate of breakfast or brunch food at a restaurant

Best Weekend Brunch Spots in Lakeview

Between Boystown and Wrigleyville, the Lakeview neighborhood has a lot of nightlife to offer, so it makes perfect sense that weekend brunches in this community are also a big hit! To help you keep the weekend going in delicious style, we've…
Top 12 ways to burn body fat

Top 12 Ways to Burn Body Fat

Generally, fat loss is one of the most popular goals for those following an exercise and diet program. With all the information available at our fingertips, however, the sheer amount of best practices, tips, and tricks out there can be overwhelming.…
Member Stories: how FFC helped me find my confidence and lose over 100 pounds

Member Stories: How Fitness Helped Me Find Confidence & Lose Over 100 Pounds

They say your younger years are supposed to be the best years of your life, but for me, I spent my entire childhood, teenage years and early twenties being overweight. But I wasn’t just overweight – I was morbidly obese. I didn't have confidence…
4 Best Happy Hour Spots in Chicago's Loop

4 Best Happy Hour Spots in Chicago’s Loop

There’s a reason they call it happy hour – that time of day when you can unwind with friends or coworkers after a full day of productive work and forget the stress – or just relax a little bit. And even in the fitness world, we know…
How a Plant-Based Diet Helped Me Overcome Food Addiction
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How a Plant-Based Diet Helped Me Overcome Food Addiction

I recently joined the Fitness Formula Clubs team as a group fitness instructor at FFC Boystown. While walking into FFC for my audition prior to starting classes, a memory of how I began my journey to following a plant-based diet was sparked…