Just because Summer is over does not mean swimming has to come to an end. Join us on Saturdays and Sundays at the indoor pool to continue perfecting what you learned this Summer. Class ratio is 1:4. Ages 3-12.
For more information or to register contact Jaime at jmules@ffc.com.
We offer birthday packages for all ages! For more information reach out to Jaime at jmules@ffc.com.
Join us on Saturday, October 11, from 12:00 – 4:00 PM, to give back to the community at our upcoming Blood Drive! Every donation helps save lives, and your contribution makes a real difference. Whether you’re a first-time donor or a regular, we’d love to see you there.
Mark your calendar, bring a friend, and help us make an impact together.
Think you have a sweet sense for guessing? We’ve filled the jar on the FFC Gold Coast front desk with exactly? Pieces of candy corn.
Your challenge: Submit your guess by scanning the QR code on the desk. The winner will receive the newest and greatest FFC Swag Bag, plus you get the entire jar of candy corn to indulge.
This contest ends October 31, and the winner will be announced on Halloween Night.
Hint: It’s more than you think.
Looking for guilt-free treats for your holiday table? Stop by the RD table during the second week of October and sample our delicious, better-for-you cookies.
Get inspired with easy, nutritious recipes you can bake at home — perfect for sharing with friends and family this holiday season.
Don’t miss your chance to taste, learn, and take home recipe cards.
Curious About Pilates? Wondering What All That Equipment Does? Join us on Monday, October 13, and Tuesday, October 14, for Core and Gore – a fun and informative event where you’ll get hands-on experience with all the Pilates equipment in mini-classes designed to challenge and inspire!
No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to move. Whether you’re new to Pilates or looking to deepen your practice, Core and Gore is the perfect way to explore and have fun.
Spots are limited. Register in the FFC+ app, or contact Linda at Llunkes@ffc.com or Grace at Ggarza@ffc.com.
October 13 times:
October 14 times:
FFC Personal Trainer August Adams will lead us through Boxing and Brews, a heart-pumping boxing class on Friday, October 24 at 6:00 PM (all levels welcome!). After class, we invite you to have a cold one with us on the sundeck!
Reserve your spot in the group fitness section of the FFC+ app, and to register your guest, contact August Adams at AAdams@ffc.com.
Join us for a Spooky Halloween Party at Parents’ Night Out on Friday, October 24 from 5–8 PM! Kids ages 3 months–12 years will enjoy costumes, games, and dinner (chicken tenders, chips & juice boxes included) while you enjoy a night out.
Registration is required by Tuesday, October 21 with Marianne at mfrianeza@ffc.com. The cost is $35 per child / $45 for two for members; non-members are welcome for $5 more per child.
Whether you are running the Chicago Marathon or cheering on our runners, come stretch with Gary the next day, Monday, October 13, at 12:00 PM. Stay after class and enjoy a quick bite and beverage. All guests are free to attend!
Register in the FFC+ app.
Join us for the Creepy Contender on Friday, October 31 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM — a Halloween-themed boxing class packed with energy and fun! After class, stick around for candy, chocolates, snacks, and maybe even some spooky punch.
Guests are free, so bring a friend and be sure to sign up in the FFC+ app to reserve your spot!
Bring your dog on Saturday, October 25 at 10:00 AM to celebrate Halloween with friends at FFC with Howl-O-Ween Doggie Yoga. Treat yourself and your dog to an outdoor yoga class by the pool! Dogs must like other dogs, be non-agressive, and do well with people.
For more information, please contact Alex at acastillo@ffc.com.
Join us at FFC Park Ridge for Optimize Training for Body Composition with personal trainer Mark Hogan on Friday, October 24, at 7:00 PM and Saturday, October 25, at 12:00 PM in the community room. Mark, who holds an MS in Exercise Science and has competed in bodybuilding competitions, will share his expertise on improving body composition through exercise. This presentation will cover common issues, principles of muscle growth, training strategies, the role of nutrition, recovery, and hormonal factors to help members gain a better understanding of how to optimize their fitness journey.
To register, contact Mark Hogan at mhogan@ffc.com.
Join us for Parents’ Night Out on Friday, October 17, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM for ages 4–10! Kids will enjoy a spooktacular evening of Halloween-themed games, crafts, pizza, and a movie while you enjoy a night out. Cost is $35 per child / $45 for two for members, with non-members welcome for $5 more.
Registration ends Wednesday, October 15 — to sign up or with questions, contact Dawn Brunner at dbrunner@ffc.com.
Join us for Fall Family Fun Fest on Saturday, November 15 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at FFC Park Ridge! Families with children ages 3 months–12 years can enjoy autumn-themed games, crafts, a bounce house, face painting, hot dogs, chips, cookies, water, and even a special visit from Stitch (from Lilo & Stitch)! This free event is open to both members and non-members, but please note it is not a drop-off event — a parent must be present with children. The event will take place in the Sports Court at FFC Park Ridge, 826 W. Touhy Ave, Park Ridge, IL 60068.
For more information or to register, contact Dawn Brunner at dbrunner@ffc.com.
Join us on October 14 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM for our October Breast Cancer Awareness Month Community Talk featuring Advocate’s Breast Center Nurse, Laura Shelly, BS, RN, BSN, CBCN. This community event is free and open to all. Light bites, coffee, and community will be provided.
Email Maryssa at mlitherland@ffc.com to register.
Enjoy Dark Matter Coffee samples in the Club on Wednesday, October 1, in honor of International Coffee Day with our favorite Chicago coffee, Dark Matter.
Join us for Touchdowns + Tightends Bootcamp on Monday, October 13 from 5:30 – 6:15 PM on the Turf! This lower-body focused workout is perfect for getting your sweat in before the game.
To register, contact sradice@ffc.com.
Last week, Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) turned 41—and the celebration came with an even bigger reason to cheer. For the second year in a row, the city voted us the Best Gym in Chicago.
That recognition isn’t just about workouts, equipment, or amenities. It’s about something deeper: the community that has fueled FFC since 1984 and continues to make us stronger, together.
When we opened our first club more than four decades ago, fitness in Chicago looked very different. There were fewer options, limited facilities, and little focus on wellness as a lifestyle. FFC set out to change that.
From day one, our mission was to create neighborhood clubs where people could do more than work out—they could belong. Over the years, we’ve grown to 10 clubs across the city and suburbs. We’ve been evolving with every era of fitness: from free weights and racquetball courts in the 80s, to high-energy group classes in the 90s, to today’s cutting-edge amenities like infrared saunas, InBody scans, and recovery services.
Through it all, one thing has stayed constant: our commitment to community, service, and innovation These qualities have helped establish FFC as the best gym in Chicago.
From the first day, members walking through FFC doors knew something special was happening. Tables lined with samples from beloved partners—like Red Bull, Magic Bar, Local’84, The Goddess and Grocer, Ruby Tea, and Begyle Brewing—set the stage. Smoothies, cold brew, and wellness bites gave fuel for workouts. Brands like Drink Delta, SpaceTime, and Hormbles Chormbles introduced members to fresh flavors and recovery options.</span>
But the real energy came from the unexpected moments: surprise-and-delight giveaways, scavenger hunts that had members exploring their clubs, and live experiences that turned ordinary weekdays into memories.</span>
Themed “Stronger Together,” group fitness team-teaches were the heartbeat of the week.
Each class was more than a workout. It was a celebration of community, with members cheering each other on, laughing between sets, and walking out stronger together.
Being named the Best Gym in Chicago two years running is a reflection of something bigger than workouts and amenities. It’s about people. Member Appreciation Week showed us once again that what makes FFC stand out isn’t just our classes, lounges, or vendors—it’s the energy our members bring every time they walk through the doors.</span>
For 41 years, FFC has been committed to fitness, wellness, and community. Last week, all three came together in a way that reminded us why Chicago continues to choose FFC.
tyle=”font-weight: 400;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;>To every member who joined us for a workout, tried a new product sample, danced through a mash-up, or
laughed with a friend—thank you. You’re the reason FFC is proud to call itself the best gym in Chicago.
Here’s to 41 years behind us—and many more memories ahead.
Want to see what makes us Chicago’s favorite? Join FFC today and be part of the story.
We will have fun and spooky costume classes throughout the month….Monster Mash, Boolates, Spooky Spin, and will hold a raffle to WIN A FREE MONTH. To enter, you must wear a costume to one of the classes.
See all classes, and register in the FFC+ app.
Chicago summers may be short, but they pack a punch; long golden hours, warm nights by the lake, and endless ways to get outside and sweat with a smile. From iconic skyline views to hidden green spaces, the city transforms into one giant fitness playground. Before summer slips away, try these fun outdoor workouts in Chicago and make the most of every sunny day.
1. Interval Training on the Lakefront Trail
The Lakefront Trail isn’t just for joggers, it’s your outdoor gym. Sprint between light posts, drop into push-ups or squats on grassy patches, or tackle stair climbs at Oak Street Beach. Add in park benches for tricep dips and you’ve turned Chicago’s favorite path into your personal boot camp with a view.
2. Outdoor Pilates in Chicago Parks
Who needs four walls when you’ve got skyline views? Roll out your mat in Grant Park, Millennium Park, or your neighborhood green space for a DIY Pilates flow. Strengthen your core, stretch it out, and breathe deep while the city hums around you. Bonus: your shavasana comes with fresh air.
3. Beach Boot Camps with a Twist
North Avenue Beach isn’t just for volleyball and tanning. Bring resistance bands, a kettlebell, or a TRX strap, and you’ve got a pop-up gym with sand as your secret weapon. Lunge, sprint, and burpee your way to one of the toughest (and most fun) outdoor workouts in Chicago, then reward yourself with a refreshing dip in the lake.
4. Kayak Sprints on the River
Forget the treadmill—grab a paddle. Kayak sprints give you cardio, core, and arm day all in one, plus views of the city from an angle you don’t get stuck in traffic for. Short, powerful bursts across the river will leave you breathless in the best way.
5. Walking Tours and Neighborhood Workouts
Sometimes the best outdoor workouts in Chicago are about moving, exploring, and soaking up the vibe. Try these city adventures, and don’t forget to reward yourself afterward:
– Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary: Jog through wild prairies and spot migratory birds. Cool down with a coffee from Dollop Coffee Co. just west of the beach.
– Lincoln Park: Trails, hidden gardens, and a zoo run = cardio meets sightseeing. Treat yourself to a smoothie, cold brew or energy bites at FFC’s Local’84 Cafe.
– The 606 Trail: A 2.7-mile elevated path perfect for running, biking, or power-walking past murals and skyline shots. End your workout with craft cocktails and small plates at Wolf & Company.
– Ping Tom Memorial Park: Riverside views + plenty of space for circuits. Refuel with dim sum or bubble tea at a nearby Chinatown favorite like MingHin Cuisine or Joy Yee.
6. Outdoor Fitness with FFC
FFC’s outdoor classes—think boot camps, HIIT, cycling, and yoga—bring community vibes and serious sweat to rooftops, parks, and pool decks. Prefer solo sessions? Head to an FFC rooftop for bodyweight circuits or stretch it out before cooling off in the pool. Either way, you’re working out with the city as your backdrop.
Maximize Your Chicago Summer Fitness
Chicago summers don’t last forever, but every sunny day is an invitation to move, explore, and play. Ready to elevate your outdoor workouts in Chicago? Stop by FFC to keep the momentum going year round, because the best workouts in Chicago combine fitness AND living your best city life.
