Woman using weight machine at gym
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Mask Required: Which Face Mask Is Best For Your Workout?

Welcome to our "new normal." Nowadays if you want to return to your favorite gym/health club for a workout, wearing a mask is most likely an essential accessory. “That sounds awful!” you say? Well, I am here to tell you it’s actually…
Woman in camel pose doing yoga on mat in home.
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Feeling Stressed? Learn To Cope With Mindful Movement

Incorporate Pilates, yoga or meditation into your wellness routine to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Read more below. Americans are no strangers to stress. In fact, the United States ranked as the world’s fourth most-stressed country…
White golf ball on a green grass. Golf course. Summer luxury activities.
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Calling All Golfers: Try These Exercises To Prevent Or Treat Aches And Pains

With warm weather and blue skies dominating the forecast, Chicagoans are continuing to find socially-distant ways to enjoy the outdoors this summer. Chicago recently entered Phase IV of reopening, bringing with it newly opened parks and outdoor…
woman with ipad watching yoga class at home
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Stream On: How I Found Value In Leading Classes Online

On Monday, March 16, I taught my final in-person group fitness class before we closed our clubs due to COVID-19. An otherwise full studio was left to only four students and me. As local government officials put our shelter-in-place order into…
Golf ball on tee with blue sky above
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Suffering From Neck Pain? Try These 5 Activities Today

Technology has brought many wonderful things to our fingertips. However, an undue side effect of all this technology and constant connectivity is a condition a very large percentage of people suffer from known as “tech neck.” In this day…
Woman stretching on the floor of her living room with weights and phone nearby.
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How To Find The Perfect Workout For You On FFC On Demand

Having choices is wonderful. Having too many choices, however, can be paralyzing. The fitness industry was quick to adapt to at-home workouts and online classes, and here at FFC, we’ve been offering daily workout classes on our Facebook page…
Pregnanct woman sitting cross legged on rug at home
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Our 6 Favorite At-Home Exercises For Pregnant Women

Looking for safe but effective exercises to perform at home during your pregnancy? NovaCare Rehabilitation physical therapist Emily Grimm is sharing her favorite exercise routine that can be completed without any equipment from the comfort…
potato salad in a bowl on the table
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Healthy Vegan German Potato Salad

German Potato Salad – Healthy, plant-based, oil-free, fat-free, gluten-free, easy vegan recipe EASY |  SERVINGS: 6  |  READY IN: 20 MINUTES |  YIELD: 8 CUPS This simple recipe is a healthy, vegan twist on a classic…
Man and woman outside in running gear stretching
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Sore From Your At-Home Workout? Try These Physical Therapist-Approved Stretches

While we are confined to our homes, we may find ourselves resorting to new forms of exercise as we develop a fitness routine outside the gym. Bodyweight workouts, running and yoga all come with their own sets of aches and pains, so we asked…
Man running outside in the sunshine
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Breaking Up Your Daily Fitness

As a technology and fitness professional, I have the pleasure of seeing two different worlds. On one end, I see the rapid rate of my Outlook inbox filling with email requests. On the other, I’m reading body language for proper form and signs…
Chicago skyline
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The 5 Best Indoor/Outdoor Spots in Gold Coast

April is weird. Between the whole ‘in like a lion, out like a lamb’ thing the month before and the old adage ‘April showers brings May flowers’, after… the weather can get confusing - especially here in Chicago. One minute you’re…
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Need A New Show To Watch or Book To Read? See Our Recommendations To Fit Any Mood

If you’re anything like me, you alternate between thinking “there’s nothing to do” and “there’s too much media to consume” as we #stayhome and endure the weeks of our shelter-in-place order. After I plowed through season three…
people having a meal together
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Best Post-Workout Food Spots in Old Town for Any Situation

There’s a statistic somewhere along the lines of "30% gym, 70% kitchen." In other words, it’s great to be fit and work out in the gym, but the majority of being healthy has to do with nutrition. Food and workouts go together like peanut…
Millennial girl relaxing at home on couch, enjoying weekends, empty space
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How To Make The Most Of A Mental Health Day

When I moved from sleepy rural Arizona to bustling Chicago, I went from being an underemployed homebody to working multiple gig-based jobs on top of social outings, hobbies, and family commitments. Even my at-the-time stringent yoga schedule…
women at large table with computers, tea pot, journals

How To Support Chicago Businesses While Practicing Self-Care

Real talk: how is this quarantine affecting your mental health? I’m an introvert who, on a normal day, loves being home and would choose a quiet, solitary night over just about anything else. But my brain is not pleased with my increase in…
Person holding a remote and pointing it at a television
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Turn Your Binge Watching Into A Workout With These Fun Challenges

Need a break from watching the news or scrolling through social media? As we adjust to finding our “new normal” during these uncertain times, it’s comforting to know that we can all seek out comedic relief in the same place: Netflix.…
Dumbbells, measuring tape, water and smartphone top view. Fitness concept and healthy lifestyle.

Member Stories: How Jennifer Bruno Learned To ‘Trust The Process’ To Achieve Results

Member Jennifer Bruno shares how she found community at FFC East Lakeview and learned the power of accepting help when it's offered. What made you decide to join FFC East Lakeview in July 2019?  At the time, I had been a member…
Fit strong man doing biceps curl in gym

Biceps Brachii: A Misunderstood Muscle & How Massage Can Help

When someone says the word “muscle” to you, what do you think of? Perhaps the pecs or the calves come to mind, but if someone were to ask you to flex your muscles, your go-to muscle would be biceps brachii. Maybe that’s because it is…
Group of diverse women wearing pink
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Learn How To Lower Your Risk For Breast And Ovarian Cancer With Regular Exercise

FFC has partnered with Bright Pink for 8 years as the official training sponsor for Team Bright Pink. If you are interested in running the Chicago Marathon or a number of other endurance races, consider joining us on Team Bright Pink! As…
Man running on treadmill with headphones on listening to music

FFC Featured Playlist – Omar Romero

Omar Romero is a group fitness instructor at FFC South Loop and FFC Union Station. His focus is on HIIT, strength training and obstacle course races. He is a local from Chicago where serves as a technology consultant by day. Check out…