Chicago Athletic Clubs

Learn the Benefits of Exercising with These Resources!

Regular exercise is not only great for the body, but also the mind. In order to live a happy, healthy life, consider becoming a member of Chicago Athletic Clubs. For more information about exercise and healthy living, take a look at these additional links:

• Should you focus on cardio or weight training? This page from HowStuffWorks.com can help you decide.
• Cardio exercise has a lot of excellent health benefits. Learn what they are at Livestrong.com.
• Cardio exercise can boost your brain power! Women’s Health magazine has the details.
• What exactly is Zumba? Find out at Zumba’s official website.  
• Switching up your cardio routine is easier than you think. Learn more at this page from FitSugar.com.

If you would like to become a member of Chicago Athletic Clubs, call us at (773) 529-2022. 

LPAC Membership

Are you bored with your home gym’s small set of dumbbells and single exercise bike? A membership with Chicago Athletic Clubs may be just what you need.

In this video, Stacy Lindstedt explores all the perks that come with a Lincoln Park Athletic Club membership. At LPAC, you’ll enjoy a warm, laid-back environment with lots of membership options. You’ll also be free to explore our many amazing workout opportunities, which include swimming laps in our four-lane swimming pool, shooting hoops on our basketball court, and participating in one of our 140 weekly group exercise classes.

The Lincoln Park Athletic Club is just one of our six amazing gyms located around Chicago. To discover which of our athletic clubs is closest to you, visit our website or call us today at (773) 529-2022.

3 Weeks: The Perfect Amount of Time to Make a Habit

Giving in to bad habits is one of the easiest things in the world. Fortunately, establishing regular fitness routines and other good habits can be easier than you think. If you motivate and discipline yourself to stick to a workout schedule for at least three weeks, you could be well on your way to healthy living.

• Putting in the effort:
  If you want to get in shape and stay in shape, you have to establish new routines that your body becomes accustomed to. For example, if you drink coffee every day, you may feel like you can’t truly get to work until you have that cup of joe. Exercising can be the same way, and much better for you! In order to motivate yourself, consider joining a gym—the drive to get your money’s worth could be just enough encouragement to stick to a strict exercise regimen. Though it may seem extremely hard at first, you’ll find that the fourth week of regular exercise is much easier—as is every week after that.
• Improving your mood:
  If you don’t get enough exercise, it’s easy to feel bored or depressed. Regular exercise, however, can make you feel like you’re making a positive difference in your life. Exercise itself causes your brain to release endorphins, dopamine, and other chemicals that make you feel good. Though your muscles may ache a bit after rigorous exercise, your heart and lungs will thank you for the workout.
• Improving your health:
  Making a habit of exercising will make a world of difference in your overall health. Once you make fitness a part of your weekly routine, you may benefit from higher lung capacity, lower blood pressure, and more restful sleep. Regular exercise can also greatly reduce your chance of stroke, heart disease, and a host of other serious ailments.

If you need help getting through those first three weeks of good habit building, contact Chicago Athletic Clubs. Our personal trainers and fitness classes can help you get into the best shape of your life. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (773) 529-2022. 

The Importance of Varying Your Cardio Workout

Going to the athletic club every day is certainly a step in the right direction, but do you know how to maximize your workout time? For example, you may not reach your fitness goals if you only use the treadmill. While it’s true that some cardio is better than no cardio, personal trainers recommend switching up your workout every once in a while. Here’s a brief look at the importance of varying your cardio workout:

• Use different muscles 
  As you might imagine, doing the same physical activities every day will work out the same muscles. While these muscles will get stronger, some of your other muscles may stay the same or grow even weaker. If you want a body of well-balanced muscles, consider using different cardio machines or attending various fitness classes.
• Avoid repetitive-use injuries
  Though your muscles will get stronger during your regular cardio workout, they will also become more strained. If you’re not careful, you may experience joint problems, tendonitis, or a stress fracture. Luckily, you can avoid these problems by regularly switching up your cardio workout.
• Unlock your potential 
  If you use only the stationary bike for your cardio workout, you may eventually stop improving. In the fitness world, this is known as “hitting a plateau,” but is easily avoidable. Even if your goal is to become a better cyclist, you’ll find that using the elliptical every once in a while can improve your cycling ability.
• Keep it fresh  
  Boredom is one of the main reasons why people stop working out. If you find yourself counting the seconds until the end of your workout, it may be time to switch it up a little! Spinning classes, Zumba, and the Stairmaster are all challenging but fun ways to stay healthy.

If you’re looking for a great way to stay in shape, contact Chicago Athletic Clubs. In addition to traditional cardio machines, we have plenty of personal trainers and fitness classes in Chicago that can help you get a variety of effective cardio workouts. Call us today at (773) 529-2022 for more information.

Want to Be Healthy? Check out These Resources!

Regular exercise is not only great for the body, but also the mind. In order to live a happy, healthy life, consider becoming a member of Chicago Athletic Clubs. For more information about exercise and healthy living, take a look at these additional links:

• Are you trying to find a good workout buddy? This page from Fitness Magazine can help.
• Creating fitness goals is one thing—meeting them is quite another. Visit Military.com for help meeting your fitness goals.
• Working out with friends is a great way to motivate yourself. Learn more at this page from TheDailyBalance.com.
• Regular exercise carries a number of amazing health benefits. Learn what they are at this page from USNews.com.
• Do you need help motivating yourself to exercise? Visit WebMD.com for some tips.

If you would like to become a member of Chicago Athletic Clubs, call us at (773) 529-2022.