Have you been needing a night out? Drop off your kid(s) for a fun-filled, child free evening while we will enjoy pizza and a movie in the Kid’s Club on July 26 from 6 – 8 PM. The event is for children ages 2-8 and the cost is $20/child. Registration ends Monday, July 22.
Contact Omaira Buenrostro at obuenrostro@ffc.com to register.
Sandburg Pool is still accepting applications for summer by the pool!
Sign up at ffc.com/sandburg/.
Pilates Group Reformer is now available at FFC Old Town on Mondays from 5 – 6 PM and Wednesdays from 6 – 7 PM.
A maximum of 3 people, sign up now in the FFC+ app to reserve your spot!
Enjoy the Summer Sundeck Menu at Local’84! Weather permitting, the menu will be available between 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, weather permitting.
The Recovery Lounge is a holistic approach to well-being designed to help members rejuvenate post-workout to ensure peak performance and a comprehensive wellness journey. It offers pulsating massage chairs for relaxation and blood flow stimulation, cryotherapy chairs featuring both hot and cold therapy to reduce inflammation and pain, and Normatec compression boots to increase leg circulation while delaying the onset of muscle soreness.
Included in both Signature & Premier Memberships, you will be able to book a 10-minute session each day in the FFC+ app.
HIIT in the park is an outdoor cardio and functional strength-focused training day designed to get the body moving through quick, intense bouts of movement followed by short rest periods. Join us on July 12 at 12 PM! A day like this will leave you dripping sweat and feeling satisfied. Register in the FFC+ app!
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.
Maria Vazquez used to be intimidated by the gym. She had the impression that gym-goers were unwelcoming and judgmental of people early in their fitness journey. Her mindset completely shifted when she met the friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable FFC community. Specifically, working with her Trainer Theresa, and her Nutritionist Griselda.
Maria grew up in a Latinx household where she didn’t receive much education about living a healthy lifestyle.
“I was brought to see a nutritionist at a very young age, without fully understanding why I was meeting with them. That did not help my view on diet and exercise.”
In 2021, Maria decided that she wanted to make a change. Still fighting negative biases around fitness centers and dietitians, she started her wellness journey on her own. For over a year, Maria’s exercise routines involved 6 days of cardio workouts, utilizing a free trainer on YouTube.
She began to watch her diet as well. Having very minimal knowledge around nutrition, Maria simply attempted to minimize her food intake.
Maria quickly realized that without a real fitness or nutrition plan, she would hit a dead end.
At this point, Maria had caught the wellness bug. Though the YouTube workouts served as a helpful start, and she had the genuine desire to eat healthy, she was beginning to feel like her makeshift routine had plateaued.
“I wasn’t feeling as great as I hoped I’d feel, and I knew I needed support.”
Maria found FFC when she noticed the incredible results her friend was seeing. She signed up for a tour of FFC Lincoln Park, where she felt immediately welcomed and inspired. That’s when her health journey changed directions for the better.
Maria joined FFC in January of 2024. In just five months, Maria’s diet and exercise routine had completely transformed. The major change? Working with FFC’s team of experts!
Maria began working with FFC Nutritionist, Griselda Ayala, immediately upon joining. Griselda taught Maria so much in just the first session. The two discussed the importance of incorporating protein, what portions should look like, and the science behind properly fueling your body. The most influential shift that Maria has experienced in her dietary journey since working with Griselda, though, has been her mindset change.
“I no longer see food as “good” or “bad.” Griselda has provided me with the education around nutrition that has shifted my perspective to view food as just providing “more energy” or less energy.”
Having gone from simply restricting food as her main method of dieting, incorporating the knowledge that Maria has gained from Griselda has helped her fuel her body with healthy, protein-rich foods that give her the energy to show up as her strongest self in both her workouts and in her daily life.
Not only has Maria worked with a nutritionist at FFC, she has also worked with Personal Trainer, Theresa Maloco. Maria’s past fears of a hostile environment at the gym completely melted away. Theresa created a safe environment for Maria. She also met Maria’s needs right where she was at. Having previously only focused on cardio, Theresa helped Maria build personalized and intentional full-body workouts.
“Theresa pushed me out of my comfort zone. I’ve lost weight, gained muscle, and have more energy than ever before.”
Having come from a family that didn’t have much education around health and wellness, Maria is able to share her newfound passion with those closest to her. She’s even encouraged friends and family members to give FFC a try!
In addition to working with Griselda and Theresa, Maria enjoys FFC by participating in group Dance Classes and utilizing the Boxing Studio. Through FFC, Maria has gained not only muscle, but also confidence, and an incredible community of like-minded FFC members and employees. Her hope is that others like her who have had a negative view of the world of fitness and nutrition can see that it’s not so scary. FFC has shown Maria that fitness is for everyone.
Post Written by FFC Marketing Manager Sydney Meyer.
All FFC locations are now offering the InBody 570! The InBody scale accurately measures your body composition including your skeletal muscle mass, percent body fat, body fat mass, basal metabolic rate, visceral fat level, and more, in less than 45 seconds. With this information, you can focus on losing body fat and gaining muscle while retaining the proper amount of water so you can lose weight smarter, healthier, and happier than ever before!
The InBody analysis is now included in all Home Club, Signature, and Premier membership types at no additional charge. Click here for more info and to book your scan: ffc.com/results-zone
FFC Elmhurst is offering a sports performance training clinic for athletes of all abilities ages 13+. Training will focus on developing power, strength, and speed/agility to improve sports performance. During clinics, our trainers will educate athletes on proper warmup, power/strength and speed training, nutrition, and recovery to help them achieve their full potential. Participants will have the opportunity to utilize sports technology to test and measure their abilities such as jump height, sprint speed, and strength. Athletes will receive copies of their results to track their progress.
Contact Jake Rafferty at jrafferty@ffc.com or Joe Pape at jpape@ffc.com for more information and to sign up.
Indulge in this special weekend yoga class on Sunday, July 14 – Poses & Mimosas at 10 AM! Elevate your weekend practice on the rooftop turf and treat yourself to the perfect sequence of mindfulness and indulgence. Complimentary mimosa will be served at the Club Lounge after class. Space is limited, so be sure to register! The class will be held indoors in the case of inclement weather.
To participate, register for Hatha Yoga on July 14 through the FFC+ app starting 2 days before the class.
Bring the family for an afternoon of fun at the outdoor pool on Sunday, July 21 from 12:00 – 4:00 PM. There will be food specials from 12:00 – 2:00 PM.
Contact Scott at sl@ffc.com with any questions.
Join us Saturday, July 20 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM for a night of fun and games. We take the kids while you enjoy an evening at the theater, a romantic dinner, time with friends, or quiet time with your partner. We will be playing games in the gym and watching a fun movie in the Kid’s Club. Registration ends Thursday, July 18 at 8:00 PM.
Stop by the Kid’s Club to pre-register or contact Jaime at jmules@ffc.com for more information.
Grab your pup and your mat for an exhilarating 60-minute Doggie Yoga class! Join us for an unforgettable bonding experience on July 18 and August 14 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM at Washington Square Park (right across from Newberry Library). Led by the amazing Chicago instructor, Gary Alexander, this class guarantees relaxation and connection.
Leashes are required, and pre-registration is a must. Secure your spot now by completing the form at ffc.com/guest-waiver-gc. Questions? Email jkorda@ffc.com. Don’t miss out!
Experience ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation at our Recovery Lounge, included at no additional cost for Signature and Premier members. Unwind in our state-of-the-art Cryo and Massage Chairs, enhance circulation with the Hypervolt Percussion Massage, and enjoy the benefits of the Normatec Compression System. Whether you’re recovering from an intense workout or simply need a moment of peace, our Recovery Lounge offers the perfect escape. Book your session now on the FFC+ app and treat yourself to a revitalizing experience that will leave you feeling refreshed and recharged.
Questions? Email Larry at LDuncan@ffc.com.
We all appreciate a clean and organized gym. Help us keep it that way by re-racking your weights after every use. It’s a small effort that makes a big difference for everyone. Your cooperation ensures a tidy and safe workout environment for all members. Fellow members thank you for your courtesy and respect!
Introducing our new trainer, Leo! Leo’s training philosophy focuses on consistent progress over time. He aims to show you that exercise and movement are not only enjoyable but also essential to a healthy, mindful lifestyle. Leo is offering 30 complimentary consultations.
Email him at ldelannoy@ffc.com to book your session and experience how small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being.
Join Juan in mastering the art of kettlebell training on our stunning rooftop! This ancient tool is perfect for a modern, full-body workout, targeting everything from your core to your extremities. Juan’s expertise will guide you through a series of swings, snatches, and cleans, ensuring you leave each session feeling stronger and more empowered. Classes are offered on Mondays at 6:00 PM.
To register, contact the Fitness Director at JKorda@ffc.com. Don’t miss out on this powerful workout experience with breathtaking views!
The Lincoln Park Pool will be closed on Sunday, July 21, and will reopen on Tuesday, July 30. Members can access other locations with pools at this time.
Email bdowdy@ffc.com with any questions.
How are you tracking your fitness progress?
The InBody composition analyzer downloads and tracks your fitness progress directly in the FFC+ app. Key components of the analysis include muscle mass, body fat percentage, basal metabolic rate, and more to make losing weight and increasing muscle mass smart and easy. This feature is now included in all memberships.
Visit ffc.com/results-zone to schedule your complimentary analysis today!