Woman holding a kettlebell at her shoulder
, ,

New To Kettlebell Training? Try This Kettlebell Workout

When gyms (and just about everything else) shut down in early 2020, did you invest in at-home fitness equipment? Thousands of Americans were clamoring to get their hands on dumbbells, weight plates and kettlebells early during the Covid-19…
Chicago skyline with snow on the ground
,

How To Stay Motivated To Reach Your Fitness Goals This Holiday Season

The holiday season is once again upon us, and for a lot of us, it's a season full of good old family fun and cheer. Holiday parties stocked with seasonal snacks and festive drinks keep us busy, and when our alarms go off to tell us it's time…
Two women participating in a small group boxing class at a gym
,

5 Ways To Easily Switch Up Your Exercise Routine

When is the last time you tried something new at the gym? Everyone - from professional athletes to weekend warriors - should vary their exercise routine from time to time. The pros have an advantage over the rest of us since they usually have…
Image of a woman stepping onto an aerobics step
,

The Evolution of Group Fitness: From Aerobics To Modern Day Fitness Classes

At Fitness Formula Clubs, we know that our members value variety when it comes to their fitness routines. Our members have the option of hitting the fitness floor for a solo weight-lifting session, diving into one of our indoor pools to swim…
Photo of a hand hovering over an electronic weekly planner
,

How To Schedule Your Weekly Workouts According To A Personal Trainer

As a personal trainer, one of the questions I'm asked most frequently from new clients is: how should I schedule my weekly workouts? If you are wondering how many times to lift during the week or how many cardio sessions you should do to reach…
Man teaching outdoor spin class

Cross Training Your Group Fitness Workouts: How Taking Different Instructors And Formats Can Breathe New Life Into Your Program

Admit it: you have your favorite group fitness instructors whose classes you take from week to week. You reschedule meetings, change Friday night plans and show up late to Sunday brunch just to take their classes. For instructors, having a…
,

Try This Full Body Dumbbell Workout On Your Next Strength Day

Now that restrictions have been lifted and we are back to a more comfortable state in our local gyms, some of you might be wondering where to start when returning to a regular fitness routine. If you are a new member at FFC, I highly recommend…
Two men walking outside in the sunshine

Using Your WorkOUT to WorkIN: 3 Ways To Tune In To Your Mind/Body Connection During Exercise

If you’re reading this blog, most likely you are a fan of working out. Our FFC clubs are bursting with enthusiastic members who LOVE a great workout, amiright?! Most of the time we think about exercise as an output and it’s done on autopilot;…
,

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…
Woman stretching her triceps.
,

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…
Woman lifting heavy kettlebell
,

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…
Photo of clapboard and digital camera in front of two people sitting
,

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,…
Photo of dumbbells on a weight rack
,

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…
Man at desk holding his lower back
,

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…
Woman running on treadmill wearing a mask
,

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…
Woman holding dumbbells and performing a lunge at the gym.
,

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…
Man and woman walking in fall weather with dalmations.
,

Can Walking Really Help You Lose Weight?

Be honest: how many of you were lacing up your sneakers and going on regular walks pre-COVID? I don’t mean your power walk to the train or your half walk, half jog to get to the office on time; I’m talking about a dedicated, intentional…
Girl wearing black dress holding a pumpkin
,

Make Your Halloween Movie Night Extra Spooky With These Workouts

Grab your candy, popcorn and blankets, folks, because it's officially spooky movie season! If your family or friend group is anything like mine, you might find yourself watching a certain Halloween movie more than once this October (cough:…
Woman walking on a treadmill
,

Goodbye, Chicago Summer: Move Your Exercise Routine Into The Club With These Two Cardio Workouts

Here in Chicago, we joke that the city only has two seasons: winter and construction. And with winters as notoriously brutal as ours, it's no wonder that Chicagoans wait all year for the fleeting 100 days of summer. The city comes alive in…
man running on treadmill
,

Runners, Take Note: These 8 Exercises Could Help Prevent An Injury

Whether you run for 15 minutes to relieve stress or you're training for your 100th marathon, you are considered a runner in my books. Unfortunately, runners are quite injury prone because of the redundant nature of the activity, the lack of…