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

Latest Stories

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Try This Core Workout For Beginners

You've likely heard a fitness instructor or personal trainer tell you to "engage your core" during exercise. There is no doubt, your core is very important. You need your core for everything, from getting out of bed in the morning to grabbing…
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Man and woman biking outside

Support These Local Chicago Businesses During National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month, and FFC is partnering with local Chicago neighborhood bike shops for special club events like bike tune-ups, helmet safety clinics, road safety seminars and more! Check out our list of partners below, as well as…
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Woman stretching her triceps.
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Your Breath, Your Power: How To Harness Your Biggest Training Asset

If you’ve ever been to a yoga class, chances are the instructor talked about controlling your breathing, even if it’s just to align your inhales and exhales to your poses. Have you ever wondered why breath work is such an important part…
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Woman lifting heavy kettlebell
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Women And Weights: Why You Should Lift Heavy

FFC Group Fitness Manager Lara Mele debunks the theory that lifting heavy weights will make women “bulky” and shares why weightlifting is a great form of exercise for women.  I am definitely of the opinion that women should lift…
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Man in his 30s stretching outside in the snow after a run
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What Is The Best Thing To Do For A Sore Body?

You know that feeling of guilt when you go to the dentist and he or she asks you how often you floss? I get that same feeling when I make an appointment for a massage and the massage therapist asks how often I stretch.  I know that…
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Photo of clapboard and digital camera in front of two people sitting
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Lights, COVID, Action: Behind The Scenes Of Bringing You Digital Fitness Classes

Oh, the challenges and obstacles 2020 (and now 2021) presented for something as simple as taking a group fitness class. We transitioned from the comfort and ease of the group fitness studio to the great outdoors, in both warm and cold weather,…
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Photo of dumbbells on a weight rack
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The Great Weight Debate

Our group fitness schedule at FFC features a wide variety of classes, including yoga, dance, indoor cycling and a number of strength training classes. Depending on the class type, these strength training classes may utilize bodyweight movements…
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Notebook outlining SMART goals
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5 Secrets To Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution

Welcome to 2021! Another year has come and gone. What a year 2020 was, am I right? With every new year comes new goals and possibly a New Year’s resolution. Did you know: research shows that only 8% of those who set New Year’s resolutions…
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Man at desk holding his lower back
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Combat Lower Back Pain With These Strengthening and Mobility Moves

If you have noticed aches or pains in your low back at some point over the past few months, you are not alone. This year has been filled with all sorts of changes, from transitioning to working from home to changing how we exercise or…
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Woman running on treadmill wearing a mask
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Breathe Easy At The Gym With These Plastic Mask Inserts

FFC Elmhurst General Manager Scott Lewandowski is a 3-time Ironman finisher and 8-time Boston Marathon qualifier. When the statewide mandate for wearing masks while exercising indoors went into effect, Scott decided to try a variety of plastic…
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Chicago skyline in winter
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Shop Local: Support These Chicago Businesses This Holiday Season

It's no secret that 2020 has been a tough year for our local businesses here in Chicago. To spread some cheer this holiday season, we reached out to a few of our fellow small business owners and neighborhood partners to find great gift ideas…
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Woman holding dumbbells and performing a lunge at the gym.
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Bring It In: 3 Safe Indoor Workouts To Do At The Gym

We get it. Returning to the gym right now can be intimidating. You might be wondering what it’s like to work out in a mask, how to transition your workout from the outdoors to the club or simply how to start exercising again after some time…
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