Tag Archive for: Workouts

What's in my gym bag? The handy gym essentials checklist - fitness resources Chicago

What’s in My Gym Bag? Gym Bag Essentials Checklist

FFC South Loop fitness specialist Matt Wallace answers the question, ‘what’s in my gym bag?’ and shares his list of top gym essentials to keep handy when you’re sure you’re forgetting something. Having the correct gear for any situation…
Fitness motivation videos: 5 essential fitness YouTube channels you should know

Fitness Motivation Videos: 5 Essential Fitness YouTube Channels

If you're like me, you may spend some nights deep in a YouTube rabbit hole, going from one topic to another until you've wasted hours you could've used to catch up on sleep. The amount of content out there can be hard to sift through, especially…
Hotel room workout: a simple bodyweight workout for when you're traveling

Hotel Room Workout: A Simple Bodyweight Workout for When You’re on the Go

FFC-exclusive group fitness instructor and trainer Austin Head shares a simple 15-minute bodyweight workout for when you’re on the go. Needing no additional equipment (just yourself!), this hotel room workout will ensure you’ll be able to…
Work life balance importance plus plans to help you find balance between responsibilities and your passions!

Work Life Balance Importance: A Guide to Finding Balance & Pursuing Your Passions, Plus a Sample Plan

As the year comes to an end, we begin to think about the last 12 months. We ask ourselves, 'Did I accomplish the things I said I would in January? Am I happier? Am I stronger? Have I grown as an individual?' Everyone wants to be better. We always…
Thanksgiving workout: try one of these two themed sweat sets on Turkey Day

Thanksgiving Workout: Try One of These Two Themed Sweat Sets on Turkey Day!

We all know that the Thanksgiving meal is the main event on Turkey Day, but there is no better way to prepare for the feast than with a fat-burning workout. As many pilgrims say, "thou shall work hard, if thou desires to play hard". You're allowed…
Indoor rock climbing in Chicago benefits for fitness

Indoor Rock Climbing in Chicago: A Great Workout for Your Mind, Body and MEPs!

Sure, running on the treadmill, busting your tail on the elliptical or kettlebell swings during a PTC class will help you rack up those Myzone Effort Points (MEPs), but that’s not the only way to score them! The cool thing about the Myzone…
Lunchtime workout for your next break - a 30-45 minute treadmill class

Lunchtime Workout: Try this Efficient Treadmill Class on Your Next Break

Running is an exercise that you either enjoy or really hate. Those who enjoy it post about their sunrise views and race times and those who hate running are tired of seeing them. I am one of those people who enjoy running but only for a short…
Workout of the month for May at FFC - check out this fitness plan!

Try This Monthly Fitness Plan & Skyrocket Your Results in the Gym

About 8 years ago I made a change to how I approached my training. Well, to be precise, I actually started training and stopped “working out”. It all started with a fitness plan. It’s made a huge difference in how I get results, my…
Woman stretching

Try This Quick Lower Body Workout

Pressed for time? Many of us struggle to fit exercise into our already busy days. Additionally, many of us think that a workout needs to be be at least 45 minutes to count. Throw that thought out the window and get your fitness in 30 minutes…
Try this 30-minute travel workout the next time you're on the go!

Try this Travel Workout: Travel-Sized Exercise for Your Next Trip

Whether you’re taking one last seasonal trip, planning for holiday travel or jet setting for business reasons, traveling provides excitement and a new perspective. However, all that time spent getting to and from the airport, exploring new…
Try this kettlebell workout now - fitness workouts

Miracle Workouts Don’t Exist, But This Kettlebell Workout Comes Pretty Close

My name is Sam Gonzalez and I am an Elite Trainer with FFC. After 8 years of experience and hundreds of clients and students, I understand the challenges that most people face when they decide to start a new training program. For most, the question…
10 best types of pushups and how to master them FFC fitness tips

10 Best Types of Push-Ups and How to Master Them

The push-up is commonly associated with military conditioning, gym class, and some martial arts. For many, they can feel like an impossible or even gruesome exercise. If you feel similarly, we hope you will feel empowered to incorporate this…
Try this now: tips on foam rolling for fitness recovery

You Have to Try This Now: Foam Rolling

Perhaps you've seen some members at the gym rolling around on long black cylinders and wondered what they were doing. Or you have been foam rolling for a while now and wonder if you are doing it right or what the science is behind it all. I’m…
Get better fitness results with this resistance training efficiency hack

Get Better Fitness Results with This Resistance Training Efficiency Hack

Resistance training is an essential part of any workout program, regardless of whether you want to lose, gain, or maintain weight. However, most people are either doing way more resistance training than they need, or are doing exercises that…
Trying to lose weight? Science says try HIIT.

Trying to Lose Weight? Science Says Try HIIT

At FFC, performance training refers to a type of workout that employs high intensity, heart monitor-based routines in a small group setting. By utilizing a heart rate monitor, our coaches are able to advise each participant when to rest and…
Burn a ton of calories with this mom-friendly 45-minute workout

Burn a TON of Calories with This Mom-Friendly 45-Minute Workout

To say Kristin Strom, regional Pilates manager at Fitness Formula Clubs, has a busy schedule would be an understatement. She has little time to sleep, let alone burn a ton of calories! In addition to managing the Pilates program and teaching…
Are you performing one of these potentially unsafe exercises?

Are You Performing One of These 9 Potentially Unsafe Exercises?

Exercises are like music; there are a million options to choose from, but not all of them are good. I've put together a list of some of the most common exercises found in peoples’ fitness programs that are inefficient, and often times, not…
The 30-minute squat workout and why they're so amazing for you fitness tips

30-Minute Workout: The Squat (And Why They’re So Amazing For You)

I LOVE the squat! Not only do squats provide a complete full-body workout, but they also tone and strengthen the muscles in the lower limbs (especially those glutes!), and burn a ton of calories too. Squats are simply great for sculpting…