For all those who get moving right at sunrise, we appreciate you! Join us on March 25th between 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM for coffee, snacks, and a great start to the day! Bring a friend for the first time between 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM and earn a free Small Group Training session!

Contact Dwight Bratholt at dbratholt@ffc.com for more information.

Hello!

My name is Carlos L. Ortiz Jr, I was born and raised in Chicago, IL. I am an experienced Aquatic/Program Director, who has worked in a variety of settings, including a Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, and Fitness Centers. With a background in Aquatics, I feel comfortable working with a variety of different people, ranging from young children to older adults. Passionate about maintaining an active lifestyle and encouraging those around me to do so. This includes Swimming, Biking, and engaging in team sports. Team Sports- Both participating and facilitating groups. This includes Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, and Football. I enjoy traveling and I’m interested in learning about different cultures, ethnicities, and people. I am extremely grateful to start working for FFC and excited to see what the future holds!

Carlos Ortiz Jr. the Sandburg Pool Manager

Calling all participants of the Shamrock Shuffle on March 24! Bring in your bib number to the front desk between March 1 – 31 to be entered into a raffle and win a free personal training session, Pilates session, or 30-minute massage.

Raffle entries will be pulled on Monday, April 1, and will be sent out to members that week. Services are available for redemption at the Old Town location (besides massage) as soon as they’re received by the member. Prizes can also be transferred to another member if they choose. Contact Michael Brierton at mbrierton@ffc.com with any questions.

We’ll be starting a “Workout of the Week” this month in our new upstairs studio. Check out the chalkboard each week for a new workout to challenge yourself and keep your fitness moving forward! This will be updated weekly on Mondays!

Contact Michael Brierton at mbrierton@ffc.com with any questions.

Join us for a thorough assessment of your squat anatomy! Do you need to stand wider? Should your toes face in vs out? Where should your weight be?

This 45-minute workshop on February 14 at 6:00 PM will help you build awareness in your feet and hips to develop the most functional squat for your body.

Why it’s important to find your Squat:

  • You’re new to fitness and not sure where to start.
  • To address back, knee, hip, and foot issues you may be having from your lifts.
  • Increase mobility, strengthen your pelvic floor, and develop your glutes and quads.
  • Reduce the risk of future injury.
  • Enhance your technique or try something new.

Email jrussell@ffc.com to register.

Train Like A Girl is a FREE 60 min movement and lifting seminar in the weight room at FFC Old Town on February 29 at 6:30 PM.

We will discuss gym culture and the importance of female connection in the fitness community as well as use equipment and movements that are usually coined as “guy lifts.”

Why should you attend this event?

  • You want to make more friends at the gym
  • You want to see more women supporting women
  • You want to challenge yourself with something new
  • You want to expand your comfort zone
  • You want to learn new movement patterns and improve on existing ones

Train Like A Girl is open to people of any movement level and any identity. Open to both members and non-members, bring your friends, family, acquaintances, anyone you think would be interested in this event!

Reserve your spot on the FFC+ app! If you have any questions or concerns you may contact Allie Kersten at akersten@ffc.com.

 

FFC prides itself on reinvestment in our clubs and staff and is always looking for ways to add value to serve you better. We are excited to share that a new Group Fitness space (located on the 2nd level of the club) will be opening on January 9! Revamped with NEW flooring, lighting, Heavy Bags, TRX Straps, Boxing Gloves, and the latest Apparatus Devices – the new space is fully equipped to help you achieve your goals this New Year. PLUS enjoy exciting NEW Group Fitness classes like Contender, Heavy Hitter and On the Ropes!

View the class times in the FFC+ app, and stop by the club to check out the new space!

Ready to branch out from your usual routine? Keep an eye out for the “New Arrival” stickers in our latest machines. If you have any questions, our certified personal trainers would gladly assist you!

Get in the spirit with a special edition of “HEAT” led by Allie Kersten featuring holiday-themed exercises on December 16 at 9:00 AM!

Reserve your space in the FFC+ app

Join Allie Kersten for a festive spin on one of our most popular group fitness classes fueled by your favorite Christmas classics on December 18 at 7:00 AM!

Reserve your space in the FFC+ app

The pools are closing on October 15.

We look forward to seeing you next spring!

Curious about the Krav Maga classes that happen on the second floor of the club? Alpha Krav Maga is offering free one-week trial certificates for FFC members! Check-in with our membership team to pick up your free trial certificate! Questions?

Please contact Alex Hernandez at ahernandez@ffc.com.

 

Hello FFC! My name is Elijah Depiore and I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. I currently go to college in the loop and fitness has been a passion of mine for my entire life. I played football in high school and had a chance to train with various strength and conditioning coaches. As a trainer, I love to identify the areas in which my clients are able to grow the most and make sure they reach their goals while having fun. See you on the fitness floor!

Elijah will be doing an open Q&A on Monday, October 23 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Stop in, ask questions, and sign up for a free training consultation!

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we have put together a great lineup of anniversary-themed group fitness classes. 40STRONG is a 40-minute total body workout you won’t want to miss! In this class, you will perform 40 exercises for one minute each in succession with no breaks! Reserve your spot in the FFC+ app – See you in class!

FFC East Lakeview 

  • Saturday, September 23 at 10:00 AM with Matt 

FFC Elmhurst 

  • Monday, September 18 at 8:30 AM with Tania (GF Studio)

FFC Gold Coast 

  • Tuesday, September 19 at 5:30 PM with Stephanie

FFC Lincoln Park 

  • Monday, September 18 at 5:30 PM with Tiffany

FFC Oak Park 

  • Tuesday, September 19 at 6:00 PM with Ashley
  • Thursday, September 21 at 6:00 PM with Rachel

FFC Old Town 

  • Wednesday, September 20 at 6:00 PM with Charlotte

FFC Park Ridge 

  • Thursday, September 21 at 9:15 AM with Mari

FFC South Loop 

  • Wednesday, September 20 at 6:30 PM with Becca
  • Sunday, September 24 at 10:15 AM with Nazha

FFC West Loop 

  • Monday, September 18 at 6:00 PM with Lara

It may be FFC’s 40th anniversary, but we’re the ones giving the presents. See below for a list of new equipment headed to FFC Old Town soon! FFC is always looking for ways to add value to serve you better.

  • 1 new Matrix Hip Thrust Machine
  • 1 new Hammer Strength Hyper Extension Machine
  • New Concept 2 Rowers
  • 4 Life Fitness Bikes: 3 upright, 1 recumbent

Come join Sunday, September 30 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM for a friendly competition consisting of Bench & Deadlift!

Each month, 2 lifts will be tested with guidance from our Certified Personal Trainers. Participants will have 3 attempts at each lift with roughly 30 minutes of warm-up time. Best attempts will be added to the Old Town Strength Leaderboard the following week! 

Prepare for this month’s lifts of Bench & Squat by joining a Small Group Training class or booking a free consultation with one of our trainers!

RSVP on the FFC+ app to confirm your spot! Guests are welcome if accompanied by an FFC Member.

Contact mbrierton@ffc.com for more information.

Join Jack Russell for “Lift Heavy”, a 60-minute weight lifting bootcamp focused on compound functional weight training. Classes will take place Mondays at 5:00 PM and Thursdays at 7:00 AM on the Turf at FFC Old Town. You’ll experience continued guidance and support as you push for new PRs and increase your strength week over week. Great for functional performance, strength, and muscle building. All levels are welcome!

Register now in the FFC+ app to reserve your spot or contact jrussell@ffc.com. Please refer to our Small Group Training schedule for more classes and schedules!

Join Allie Kersten for  “HEAT”, a 60-minute circuit-style HIIT class focused on full body strength and cardio fitness. Classes will take place on Tuesdays at 7:00 AM and Saturdays at 9:00 AM on the Turf!! You’ll learn new movements while increasing your strength and power with ongoing instruction and support. Just $32/class with first class free!

Great for those looking to get stronger, improve their cardio fitness, and push their limits! Bring a friend and feel the heat!

Contact Allie Kersten at akersten@ffc.com for more information or to reserve your spot! Please refer to our Small Group Training schedule for more classes!

Introducing our newest Small Group Training class: “Landmines”

Landmines utilize a barbell fixed at one end to create a more functional and natural movement pattern for strength and power exercises. Landmine training incorporates forward intention, great for those looking to improve their athleticism, lift heavy without a barbell on their back, or expand their training regimen with a new way to move.

New to the landmine? No worries! Our Landmine University Certified Trainers will be teaching a wide range of exercises, providing a full-body strength workout to help you level up from basic to advanced movements. Be ready for a program that stacks and keeps challenging you each week, regardless of experience.

Please refer to our Small Group Training schedule for class times and reserve your spot now in the FFC+ app!

Build your confidence on the strength floor with Intro To Strength Training, an entry-level class designed to teach you the essentials needed for a great workout. These complimentary classes are taught by our FFC personal trainers and take place at 10 AM every Saturday in September. Each week will cover a new tool used on the fitness floor. Come ready to learn more and leave feeling empowered to use this equipment on your next visit.

  • September 9 – Kettlebells
  • September 16 – Dumbbells
  • September 23 – Barbells
  • September 30 – Sleds, Ropes & Ladders – Oh my!

Reserve your spot in the FFC+ app today.