FFC News and Blogs on Fitness, Nutrition, and Inspiring Success Stories

Latest Stories

Pregnanct woman sitting cross legged on rug at home
,

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…
Read more
potato salad in a bowl on the table
,

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…
Read more
Man and woman outside in running gear stretching
,

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…
Read more
Man running outside in the sunshine
,

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…
Read more
Chicago skyline
,

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…
Read more
,

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…
Read more
people having a meal together
,

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…
Read more
Millennial girl relaxing at home on couch, enjoying weekends, empty space
,

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…
Read more
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…
Read more
Person holding a remote and pointing it at a television
,

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.…
Read more
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…
Read more
Group of diverse women wearing pink
,

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…
Read more