PopSugar Chicago

Kate Stahl — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:15:00 CST

The Bar Method's Coming to Wicker Park

I've detailed my love for barre classes extensively, and while I heart Barre Bee Fit, The Dailey Method,and Exhale so much, I might have to add another class to my roster now The Bar Method is coming to Wicker Park! The studio, which currently has locations in Lakeview (3144 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-935-2150) and the Loop (180 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 200, 312-332-9150), will be opening in early 2012, just in time to repent for all those holiday misdeeds.

Monday Detox: Dance Like a Joffrey Dancer at Equinox - Again!

Rebecca Taras — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:30:00 CDT

Last Spring, Natalie Portman's Oscar-winning movie Black Swan came out, and everyone went gaga (or not) over the ballet bods in the film. Call it perfect timing, because Equinox Fitness Clubs launched a Keep Fit Ballet class, designed to firm and tone using a blend of Pilates and traditional ballet moves. What was really cool about this class (aside from feeling like a ballerina) was that Equinox partnered with the renowned Joffrey Ballet, so you had a chance to train under the guidance of professional ballet dancer/instructor Jocelyn Garner, who has been performing and teaching dance all over the world for years.

On the heels (or shall I say toes) of this successful and super-cool Joffrey Ballet partnership, Equinox Fitness Clubs has once again partnered with the world-class ballet troupe to offer a new and exciting class during the months of October and November. This time, you can expect a Don Quixote-inspired group fitness class that blends Spanish dance with ballet. It's no surprise that dancers have amaze bodies, so this is your time to pick up strength, flexibility, and balance techniques from the pros. We're in - two left feet and all.

The classes will be held at: Equinox Gold Coast (900 N. Michigan Ave., 312-254-2500) Wednesdays from Oct. 5 through Nov. 9 from 8 to 9 a.m.; and at Equinox Lincoln Park (1750 N. Clark St., 312-254-4000) Thursdays from Oct. 6 through Nov. 10 from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.

Monday Detox: On Your Mark Coaching and Training's Hot New Workout For the Time Starved

Rebecca Taras — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:00:00 CDT

We heart On Your Mark Coaching and Training (1101 W. Monroe St., 312-733-9330), mainly because they inspire us to get out of our gym comfort zone by trading tradish gym equipment (read: machines) for Rambo-style ropes, tires, and good old fashioned body weight -talk about G.I. Jane! With that being said, OYM owners Emily Hutchins and Annette Fiscelli aren't about to let your workout turn stagnant, so they've just introduced a new toosh-kicking workout called J.U.M.P. 30: Just Utilize More Power. In a nutshell, you'll be challenged with drill-like 30-second exercises involving balls, ropes, and plenty of jumping to make up for those years spent grounded versus the play ground. You get a mere 10 seconds of rest in between, but the class only lasts 30 minutes, so buck up there soldier.

Monday Detox: Interval Training at CircuitFit

Kate Stahl — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:00:00 CDT

It's a conundrum: nobody wants to be a gym rat, but everyone wants the kind of bod that can take hours of exercise to achieve. Solution: CircuitFit Chicago (430 W. Erie St., Suite 101, 312-664-0130). The high-intensity, interval-training workout studio combines cardio, strength, and core training during 30-, 45-, or 60-minute classes.

At CircuitFit, you'll speed through a series of eight to 12 strength-training stations incorporating body-weight exercises, free weights, kettlebells, and plyometrics. Those movements are all followed by an aerobic activity like spinning, rowing, or running. The intervals (one of our new fave fitness trends) help you maximize calorie and fat burn during each workout - and therefore, get you fit faster than you ever thought possible. While a monthly membership to the studio usually goes for $165, for the next month, through Sept. 30, they're offering new clients an unlimited month of classes for just $49. Just enough time to see some serious results.

Source: CircuitFit

Flywheel Stadium Cycling Coming to State Street

Kate Stahl — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:45:00 CDT

I'm competitive when I exercise, and I don't mean that I run marathons or participate in triathlons. Instead, I take yoga, core, and Pilates classes and totally try to outshine my classmates. I know it's sick (especially in yoga, which is supposed to be the opposite of competitive), but admit it, you do it, too. That's why I'm thinking I'm going to love the soon-to-open Flywheel Sports (710 N. State St, 312-624-8485). The NYC import takes spinning to a whole new level by offering stadium seating, and - my favorite part - something called the Torqboard, large flatscreens at the front of the studio that display class leaders and performance data. Talk about motivation to pedal!

The high-intensity workout has already garnered a cult-like following in New York, and it's not hard to guess why. The 45 bikes are in an amphitheater-like, curved, and tiered setting, meaning each rider has a great view of the instructor (and of that leader board). The bikes all display real-time performance data including RPM, resistance, and energy output, and after each workout, your data is stored in your Flywheel account so you can easily track your workouts and set long-term goals. How genius is that? Classes are set to high-energy music, curated by an in-house DJ, and each rider gets her own complimentary water, towel, and cycling shoes. I'm kind of already obsessed . . . and slightly scared that my competitive nature is about to take a real beat down.

Once the studio opens, you can register for classes ($25 each; $160 for a month of unlimited classes) online.

Source: Flywheel Sports

Urban Fit Clubs: City-Wide Gym Access Beats Workout Boredom

Rebecca Taras — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Finding a gym that offers all the classes you want at all the right times is pretty much impossible. Take control of your own workout schedule with the only gym membership that gives you access to almost 20 local boutique fitness locations (with more soon to come). With a month of up to 16 classes at Urban Fit Clubs, you can pick and choose to keep both your metabolism and motivation elevated.

UFC's "better sweat network" covers almost every type of workout imaginable: cardio kickboxing, bar method, Pilates, spinning, zumba, rock climbing, and more. Founder and owner Charity Gonzalez is an "urban fitness warrior" who has always sought out the best and most challenging group fitness classes in the city. "Like many people, I was bored with my fitness routine," says Gonzalez. "To change things up, I started exploring my neighborhood boutique gyms and studios. While I was really excited to have hundreds of options, it became difficult to keep track of all my various memberships and it was expensive to pay drop-in rates." Sound familiar? Now the only thing you have to decide is where to work up a sweat first.

Monday Detox: Playing With Fire and Ice at Equinox

Rebecca Taras — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:00:15 CDT

There are a lot of gyms in the city to choose from, but Equinox (multiple locations) is a Chicago Pop 5 partly because it's constantly introducing new and challenging workouts to keep me motivated 365. The latest? EQ360: FIRE and ICE. Here's the skinny:

I was thrilled to see that the Step360 Pro equipment used in the FIRE and ICE classes has a flat surface to step on, unlike the BOSU ball I managed to ankle-roll off of last Summer - not good. It still challenges your core big time due to the trampoline-like nature, but your feet are completely flat on a padded, nonslip platform that allows you to bend, jump, lift, and balance.

The 15-minute ICE portion (Integrated Core Exercise) works your entire body, but with an emphasis on the core. Think planks and standing core exercises that challenge your balance and range of motion. The FIRE portion (Fast Integrated Reactive Exercise) lasts 30 minutes and is a sweat breaker and calorie buster. I loved this portion, thanks to the blend of intense cardio bursts, balance, and conditioning exercises.

Also, the class changes each time. Sometimes, additional equipment like cables and weights are used for added resistance; whereas other times, it's just your body weight. The bottom line: I felt as though I got more accomplished in 30 minutes than I have in some longer workouts. I think I could get used to it . . .

For now, the EQ360: FIRE and ICE classes are only available at the Lincoln Park location (1750 N. Clark St., 312-254-4000), but look for them spreading to the other locations soon.

Source: Equinox

Get Your (Free!) Yoga On at Wanderlust

Kate Stahl — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 07:30:00 CDT

I love any excuse to practice my Downward Dog, and tomorrow's Wanderlust Yoga in the City Festival is a great one. The seven-city national tour makes a stop in Chicago for a one-evening-only yoga celebration, July 19, offering a free class in Grant Park's Butler Field (Columbus between Jackson and Monroe) combined with music and a dash of the great outdoors.

Sponsored by SmartWater, Wanderlust is aimed at encouraging community growth through yoga. Considering how active Chicago's yoga community is, you know this is going to be quite the event. The festivities start at 5 p.m. (changing areas are available for those of you coming directly from the office), and a 90-minute class - suitable for all levels of yogis - will begin at 6 p.m., led by Moksha Yoga Center's Rich Logan. Music from local DJ Lady D will keep you moving. The event is totally free (be sure to register in advance), but the organization raises funds for charity Off the Mat and Into the World, which uses yoga to inspire social change.

If you can't make it to Wanderlust, you'll have other opportunities to bring out your inner yogi for free this week. On Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Whole Foods (1550 N. Kingsbury St., 312-587-0648) is offering complimentary yoga on the roof. And if you're closer to Oak Street Beach, join in on Lululemon's No Shower Happy Hour, also on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The free hour-long beach yoga class will be followed by live music and drink specials.

Source: Wanderlust Festival