Krys Rollins performing a pull up

Member Stories: How Variety In Movement And Modality Helps Krys Rollins Feel Her Best

Member Krys Rollins shares how she and her kids like to stay active, her motivations behind her healthy lifestyle, and the biggest takeaways she's learned from working with FFC Oak Park Personal Trainer Keon Hackney. You've been a member…
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…
Interview with long-time FFC member Dr. Gordy Siegel

Member Stories: An Interview with Long-Time FFC Member Dr. Gordy Siegel

In honor of FFC's 35th anniversary, marketing manager Megan Zink sat down with long-time member Dr. Gordy Siegel to learn about his experience in the community.

Faction Family: The Fitness Community I Found at FFC

FFC member Amanda George shares how Faction classes at FFC helped her shave 15 minutes off her marathon time!
Member stories: How Mary May overcame a health challenge and got back into fitness

Member Stories: Finding a Routine & Overcoming Health Challenges at FFC

I’ve been a member of FFC for almost 20 years. Living in the Lakeview neighborhood, I frequent the Boystown and East Lakeview locations at least 5-6 times per week, primarily in the morning. In the past few months, I’ve also started working…
Member stories: conquering my roller coaster weight loss journey.

Member Stories: Conquering The Roller Coaster Weight Loss Story

FFC Old Town member Bryce shares her inspirational weight loss story: triumphs and trials, her experience finding a trainer that fit her needs and everything she learned along the way. Ever since my senior year of college I have been on a…

How I Used Compromise to Create a Sustainable, Balanced Lifestyle, Lost Weight and Changed My Life

I had to make a change. I’d known I had to for quite some time, but never fully committed. I made countless New Year’s resolutions, “starting January 2nd I’m limiting drinking, eating healthier, and working out.” I would commit to…
Member Stories: How FFC helped me overcome a devastating sports injury and find a new life purpose

Member Stories: How FFC Helped Me Recover From a Sports Injury & Find a New Life Purpose

How FFC member Ian LaBelle overcame a devastating sports injury, found a new passion and life purpose raising funds and awareness for an amazing cause. I was a pretty average kid growing up in New England. I had a supportive family, was decently…
Member Stories: How I Overcame Anorexia and Exercise Addiction

Member Stories: How I Overcame Anorexia & Exercise Addiction and Changed My Life

My story began in 2011, and in a way that is slightly different than you’d initially expect or assume when the topic of a gym or exercise gets brought into the conversation. At the time I joined FFC, I thought I became a member because my…
Member Stories: Myzone in Mexico - How Laura V Got Involved With FFC & Myzone, Found a Weight Loss Community and Lost Over 70 Pounds

Member Stories: Myzone in Mexico – How Laura V Got Involved With FFC & Myzone, Found a Weight Loss Community and Lost Over 70 Pounds

FFC Old Town fitness director and master trainer Eric Alexon shares the story of family member Laura, how she got involved with Myzone and FFC (which functioned as a sort of weight loss community) and lost over 70 pounds – while in Mexico,…
How FFC member Gary became a stroke survivor and changed the course of his life.

Member Stories: How I Became a Stroke Survivor and Turned My Life Around

FFC Oak Park member Gary shares his experience with fitness and wellness, becoming a stroke survivor and how it altered his course of life. In the fall of 2007 I was 56 years old, tired, overweight and my back hurt. My job involved a lot…

Member Stories: The Decision That Changed The Quality of My Life

Countless movies, books, and fairy tales feature magic mirrors of one kind or another. Some are portals to another world. Others have a spirit living in them, or can show the past, or reveal events far off but important to the mirror’s user.…
Member Stories: Taking Advantage of Pilates Benefits - My Weight Loss Journey

Member Stories: Taking Advantage of Pilates Benefits – My Weight Loss Journey

When I first joined FFC as a new Chicagoan in 2004, my kids were two and four. I remember watching people do Pilates through the studio window and thinking, they look so graceful and... healthy. Not to mention lean and strong. I said to myself,…

Member Story: How I Lost Over 125 Pounds And Drastically Changed My Life

I didn’t grow up in a crunchy-granola, windbreaker-wearing, athletic family. Like many children of the Midwest, I was raised in a rural community full of good, old-fashioned folks with good old-fashioned mentalities. Was I fat? Hell no! I…
Member Stories: 4 secrets to success by Chicago Radio & TV host Pete McMurray

Member Stories: Finding Your Why And 4 Secrets to Success By Chicago Radio & TV Host Pete McMurray

When FFC asked me to write a blog for the website my first reaction was, “It’s me, Pete. You got the wrong guy!” When they asked again, I said, “When did you get a liquor license… because you must be drunk!” I finally agreed to do…
Member Stories: how FFC member John finished the Chicago Marathon

Member Stories: How FFC Helped Me Finish the Chicago Marathon

My name is John Jaramillo, and I finished the 2018 Chicago Marathon. In other words, I did something that I once deemed impossible to ever accomplish. Let me give you some context around the lack of believability in that endeavor: I grew up…
Member Stories: How Travel Inspired Me To Make a Diet Change, Change My Lifestyle & Lose Over 10% Body Fat

Member Stories: How Travel Inspired Me To Make a Diet Change, Change My Lifestyle & Lose Over 10% Body Fat

I’ve been overweight all my life, since I was a little kid in kindergarten. I was always getting picked on and seen as an outcast – all the way to high school. I always kept telling myself that things would get better, that I wouldn’t…
Member Stories: Learning that More Fun Leads to Better Triathlon Training

Member Stories: Learning that More Fun Leads to Better Triathlon Training

I joined FFC in December last year as an early Christmas present to myself. After a successful year of racing, I was ready to head into the “off-season”. Even though I had a successful and enjoyable season, I was looking forward to taking…
Member stories: training for the Tour du Mont Blanc Hike at FFC

Member Stories: Training for the Tour du Mont Blanc Hike at FFC

For more than 10 years, the idea of trekking in Europe had been on my mind - it only needed a focus to actually come to life. I soon found it: a 100-mile trek around the largest massif in Europe called the Tour du Mont Blanc. I have been…
Becoming Tri-Fit: The Fitness Support Network I Found at FFC

Becoming Tri-Fit: The Fitness Support Network I Found at FFC

Last summer I, a thirty-something British woman, relocated from London to Chicago. I have an extensive background in marathon and ultra-marathon running, but by the time I arrived in Chicago, at the end of June 2017, my fitness was at an all-time…