(Chicago, Illinois) – Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) is proud to announce the launch of the FFC Cares Foundation, a dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As a company rooted in Chicago for four decades, FFC believes in the power of fitness to change lives, not just through physical transformation, but also by making a lasting impact on the communities they serve. Through the FFC Cares Foundation, FFC will lead charitable initiatives, forge impactful partnerships, and create opportunities for members and staff to make a difference through fundraising events, ongoing advocacy and more.

To kick off their commitment, the FFC Cares Foundation is launching an initiative in May for ALS Awareness Month in partnership with Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. This cause is deeply personal to FFC, as Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS was founded by Augie Nieto, the visionary behind Life Fitness, whose pioneering equipment FFC members use every day. Augie had a strong connection with FFC Founder and CEO Gale Landers, making this initiative even more meaningful to the FFC community. In the early days of their partnership, deals between Life Fitness and FFC were sealed with a handshake, a testament to the deep trust and respect between the two organizations. To donate, click here!

Every 90 Minutes, Someone is Diagnosed with ALS. To raise awareness and funds for ALS research, FFC is hosting 90-minute fitness classes across multiple locations from May 12-18. These extended sessions will feature FFC’s top instructors and best programming, designed to build excitement, foster community, and most importantly, support the fight against ALS.

How To Get Involved:

• Attend a 90-Minute Class: Join FFC for special Formula 94 and Yoga/Meditation fundraising classes, designed to bring members and staff together for a great cause. View the schedule here, and reserve your spot in the FFC+ app.
• Make a Donation: Every dollar raised will go directly to Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS to fund critical ALS research. Plus, the FFC Cares Foundation will match each class participant’s donation dollar for dollar. click here to submit a donation!
• Bring a Friend: FFC is inviting both members and non-members to participate, helping the FFC community grow while supporting a great cause. Not a member? Register for a class here!
• Not able to participate in a class but still want to donate? The FFC Cares Foundation will match all individual or corporate donations up to $500. Click here to submit your donation.

“Giving back has always been a core part of FFC’s mission, and launching the FFC Cares Foundation allows us to broaden the platform to the communities we serve,” said Founder and CEO of FFC, Gale Landers. “Our partnership with Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS is especially significant, as Augie was not only a pioneer in the fitness industry but also a personal friend. We are honored to support his legacy by raising funds and awareness for ALS research.”

FFC is committed to giving its members opportunities to make a real difference. May is ALS Awareness Month, but the fight against ALS is ongoing.

Join Us. Move for a Cure. Make an Impact.

To donate to the FFC Cares Foundation in support of ALS research, click here. To participate in a 90-minute fundraising class, view the schedule here, then visit the FFC+ App to reserve your spot.

About Fitness Formula Clubs

Established in 1984 by Founder and CEO Gale Landers, FFC owns and operates 10 upscale, mid and large size multi-use health, sports, fitness and spa centers in the Chicago area. The company provides corporate wellness programs, health insurance reimbursable nutrition therapy services, signature group fitness programs, spa treatment services, individual and group training, physical therapy and medically based rehabilitation programs. Each Chicagoland location is dedicated to supporting the local community. FFC is recognized by the fitness industry for creating a distinct member experience delivered by its staff professionals. For more information, please visit www.ffc.com.

About Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS       

Augie’s Quest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Founded by Augie Nieto, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2005, the organization funds cutting-edge research aimed at bringing an end to this debilitating disease. For more information, please visit augiesquest.org.

(Chicago, Illinois – July 9, 2024) – In honor of their 40th Anniversary, Fitness Formula Clubs’ (FFC) continues its “Summer of Giving” campaign, this month in support of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. Well-known throughout the fitness industry, Augie’s Quest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding innovative research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

For every new member who joins any of FFC’s 10 Chicagoland locations in July, FFC will donate a portion of their enrollment fee to Augie’s Quest. The organization was founded by Augie Nieto, the founder of the leading fitness equipment company, Life Fitness, and chaired by his wife Lynne Nieto, both longtime friends of FFC Founder & CEO, Gale Landers. In addition, FFC is hosting a Yoga In The Park fundraising event benefitting Augie’s Quest on Sunday, July 21 from 10:00 – 11:00 am in Grove 2 in Lincoln Park. All attendees are encouraged to give a suggested donation, and FFC will match each donation.

“We are thrilled to continue our ‘Summer of Giving’ campaign and support Augie’s Quest in their vital mission to cure ALS,” said Gale Landers, Founder & CEO of FFC. “By combining fitness, community, and philanthropy, we hope to make a meaningful impact and inspire others to join us in this important cause to help find a cure and improve the lives of those living with ALS.”

Augie’s Quest has been at the forefront of ALS research for years, driving innovation and hope for those affected by this devastating disease. Through relentless pursuit of a cure, Augie’s Quest has made significant strides over the years and continues to drive progress in the fight against ALS. Supporting Augie’s Quest makes a tangible impact on accelerating research, empowering researchers, enhancing patient care, and creating awareness to build a movement that generates lasting change.

“Fitness Formula Clubs have played an integral role in our quest to find a cure for ALS since we began almost 20 years ago,” said Lynne Nieto, Chairman of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. “They share our belief that incurable is unacceptable, and we’re thrilled about their enrollment and Yoga in the Park fundraisers. Together we’ll find a cure for this devastating disease.”

FFC invites all community members, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone looking to make a difference to participate in the “Summer of Giving.” Whether by joining FFC as a new member or attending the Yoga in the Park event on July 21, every contribution counts and brings us one step closer to a cure for ALS.

For more information about Fitness Formula Clubs and the “Summer of Giving” campaign, please visit www.ffc.com.

 

About Fitness Formula Clubs

Established in 1984 by Founder and CEO Gale Landers, FFC owns and operates 10 upscale, mid and large size multi-use health, sports, fitness and spa centers in the Chicago area. The company provides corporate wellness programs, health insurance reimbursable nutrition therapy services, signature group fitness programs, spa treatment services, individual and group training, physical therapy and medically based rehabilitation programs. Each Chicagoland location is dedicated to supporting the local community. FFC is recognized by the fitness industry for creating a distinct member experience delivered by its staff professionals. For more information, please visit www.ffc.com.

 

About Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS       

Augie’s Quest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Founded by Augie Nieto, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2005, the organization funds cutting-edge research aimed at bringing an end to this debilitating disease. For more information, please visit augiesquest.org.

Chicago, IL – June 26, 2024 – In honor of their 40th Anniversary, Fitness Formula Clubs’ (FFC) is proud to announce the launch of its “Summer of Giving” campaign, a heartfelt initiative aimed at supporting the local community. For every new member who joins FFC in June, FFC will donate $25 of their enrollment fee to By The Hand Club For Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing life-enriching opportunities for children in under-resourced neighborhoods in Chicago.
This contribution will significantly impact the lives of children in Chicago, helping them receive essential educational support, mentorship, and access to a variety of developmental programs.

“Our ‘Summer of Giving’ campaign is a testament to our commitment to not only fostering healthy lifestyles but also enriching our community,” said Gale Landers, Founder & CEO of Fitness Formula Clubs. “We believe in the mission of By The Hand Club and are excited to support their incredible work in providing more opportunity and a brighter future for so many children across Chicago.”

By The Hand Club is strategically situated in some of Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, supporting more than 1,800 students through after-school programs that prioritize academic achievement, literacy, social-emotional learning, and spiritual growth. The organization’s holistic approach ensures that children are equipped with the tools they need to succeed both in school and in life.

“We are deeply grateful for Fitness Formula Clubs’ support through their ‘Summer of Giving’ campaign,” said Donnita Travis, CEO & President of By The Hand Club For Kids. “This generous donation will help us continue to love and nurture our students and their families. Together, we can create generational change and make a lasting difference in our community.”

FFC invites everyone to join them in this charitable endeavor. By becoming a member this summer, individuals can not only invest in their own health and wellness but also contribute to the well-being of children in need.

For more information about Fitness Formula Clubs and the “Summer of Giving” campaign, please visit www.ffc.com.

About Fitness Formula Clubs
Established in 1984 by Founder and CEO Gale Landers, FFC owns and operates 10 upscale, mid and large size multi-use health, sports, fitness and spa centers in the Chicago area. The company provides corporate wellness programs, health insurance reimbursable nutrition therapy services, signature group fitness programs, spa treatment services, individual and group training, physical therapy and medically based rehabilitation programs. Each Chicagoland location is dedicated to supporting the local community. FFC is recognized by the fitness industry for creating a distinct member experience delivered by its staff professionals. For more information, please visit www.ffc.com.

About By The Hand Club For Kids
By The Hand is a faith-based after-school program that takes kids by the hand and walks with them from kindergarten through college, loving and nurturing them—mind, body and soul—so they can have abundant life. By The Hand began in 2001 serving 16 students from Cabrini-Green. Today, it serves more than 1,800 students annually across six sites situated strategically in Chicago’s most under-resourced communities–Cabrini-Green, Altgeld-Murray, Austin, North Austin and Englewood. By The Hand programs prioritize technology-enabled instruction, enrichment and literacy, tutoring and mentorship and spiritual development to help students become agents of change. For more information or to get involved, please visit www.bythehand.org.