Wow, so I’m sure you’ve noticed dear reader, we’ve been MIA, hibernating for the winter, or on a covert mission abroad (choose your own conspiracy theory). Nah, life just caught up to us. Monica is in grad school and Kate’s … Continue reading
You may feel like your current them song is: “It’s getting cold out there, so put on winter clothes.” Brr it feels to early for Chicago to be so chill! You may wanna hibernate through March but thawing out with exercise can bust winter blues and strengthen your immune system. Annnd you don’t need to wait for all the Jan 1st resolution peeps to clog up the gym.
Throughout the next few weeks, we are going to share some of our favorite workouts from 2016 to get your 2017 to start strong.
Studio Three can cure your boredom with some spicy variety. Studio Three‘s tri-level fitness mixes up your workout mojo with a cutting-edge Peloton® indoor cycling, interval training and yoga studio. You can double it, ensuring you get that stretch after a tense strength sesh.
Well, first you can check out our initial visit here. This go ’round, we branched out of our yoga pose zone and tried Studio Three’s Athletic Yoga with instructor, Sui Wen. This 60 minute hot yoga class kept it’s promise of being athletic. It felt like a mix of ballet inspired graceful moves blended with serious body weight sets intersperced with balance challenges. Seriously, we have not tried anything like it before. We wouldn’t recommend this class for students just starting yoga but…if you’ve been around the mat a couple of times, this class will summon your inner and outer strength.
After your class, you can refuel with Studio Three’s full service cafe with smoothies, juices, cold brew coffee to cool the sweat. The cafe offers free wifi too so you can catch up on on the newest fit articles while you soak up all your hard work.
Studio Three is kicking off a brand new nutrition 101 program. From Jan 15-April 30, you’ll get an initial assessment, bi-monthly meetings with Precision Nutrition Coach, Dustin Hogue, live cooking demos, custom food lists and recipes. This is something we’d love as most “programs” command what you can and can’t eat without considering diverse eating styles like veggie eaters or gluten free lifestyles. Call the studio for more info and pricing!
Pick up your first class for only $13 bucks and work that snow bunny body with some sweet yoga, cycling or interval heat. Have you tried Studio Three? Tell us what you think in the comments!
*We were offered one free class at Studio Three in exchange for an honest review.*
Have you ever been in a fitness class and felt a twinge in your knee during a lunge? Or how about that back pinch just from your regular morning stretch? You may feel as fit as a fiddle until one of those strings snaps, reflecting an imbalance in your body.
Full disclosure: both of us discovered the sucky-ness of injury this summer with pinched nerves and bulging discs. Stress+work/blog computer scrunching+cell phone snapping=a toll on your bod!
We were curious and a bit nervous when we got an invite to try a functional movement assessment with Jason Raynor, Master Nike Trainer. Raynor has a flex worthy list of fitness certifications and experience including a stint as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Washington Redskins.
Traynor Raynor demoing a walking side squat
We met up with him at one of his current sweat spots, the JW Marriot in downtown Chicago, to get the rehab and rebound experience of functional movement assessments. Think of it as self-help for your fit life!
Now let’s get to the fitty gritty deets.
Functional movement assessments can help you identify those instabilities, not only to prevent injury but to amp your athletic performance. Even amateur fit fiends like us could benefit by optimizing our every day movements.
Trainer Raynor guided us through the first 3 of the 7 movement patterns of the functional movement system.
Trainer Raynor evaluating Monica’s deep squat
But that was just the warm up! After each movement, he asked follow-up questions, gave feedback, and took detailed notes. Both of us had different areas of strengths and weaknesses. Kate had mobility issues with her hurdle step (think slow mo-hurdle) while Monica held tightness in her hip flexors that showed up as knee pain during her split stance lunge. (Check our short video post on Instagram)
Trainer Raynor teaching the proper hand and feet placement for a deep squat
Raynor tackled our tensions with personalized stretches and taught us how to move to protect from injury. Practiced consistently, these corrective exercises will wipe out your inconsistencies and put you in peak form!
Monica practicing a corrective stretch for her hip flexors
A detailed report is sent to you after your sesh to ensure you can “work it out nowwww” more efficiently and effectively. Trainor Raynor doesn’t just work on your fitness (although that’s Fergalicious enough). He targets all areas of health transformation with:
We are huge fit fans of the functional movement assessment and plan on going back to complete the screening. Ready to be that agile athlete hiding inside you? Contact Trainor Raynor for appointments and rates! Check out his profile on the following:
*We received one shared functional movement session in exchange for an honest unbiased review*
Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Bar Method!! What kind of birthday is it when you get a present instead of the birthday girls? A super sweet and sweaty one!
The Bar Method is celebrating it’s 15th birthday of making ladies long and lean. Bar Method’s signature moves are low impact yet can strengthen and tone you. We are huge fans (like the kind of fans that have the big foam finger) of Bar Method and can’t say enough about their results. Read our past experiences with Bar Method here!!
Oh and your present? You thought we forgot!
Take FREE Bar Method classes and tuck for yourself this Saturday 8/20 and Sunday 8/21*. One lucky reader/new client will win FREE Bar Method cute and motivational sticky socks as well. Enter our Rafflecopter giveaway to win**! Rafflecopter giveaway
*Only new clients are eligible for a free class. Not new? Bring a friend to the Bar!*
**Winner must be able to pick up socks at a Chicagoland Bar Method locations and must be a new client. Giveaway 8/19 10 pm – 8/20 12 am**.
Rise and Shine, beautiful friends! Working out in the morning can give you energy all day. And who wouldn’t get out of bed for a new kick a#@ workout, free samples of the new LUNA bar flavor, a beautiful Chicago skyline view at the ROOF at the Wit and more.
LUNA delivered just that with the launch of their new Berry Greek Yogurt Protein Bar and threw a fitty party that would make you break up with your covers. LUNA’s new protein bar is a refreshing new flavor for those of you who doth not love chocolate (we know, some people are weird like that!) or people who want a breakfasty bite after an early workout.
LUNA Protein is gluten free and high in protein. LUNA brand is one of our favorites because of their girl power focus and their promotion of positive initiatives for women here and abroad.
LUNA Berry Greek Yogurt Bar is:
And taste? Kate isn’t a huge fan of protein bars in general and Monica is not crazy about sugar laden bars. But the light yogurty coating and fruity filled flavor is a great combination. It hit the spot after the crazy sweaty morning workout with Betina Gozo and Jeana Anderson.
Nike Master Trainer Betina Gozo. Photo Credit: Amy Boyle Photography
Chicago based rock star NIKE master trainer, Betina Gozo, and the motivating Jeana Anderson Cohen from #asweatlife cheered us through a partner based HIIT workout. Jeana Anderson Cohen’s concept, #SweatWorking, aims to get people in Chicago working out while networking and getting to know each other. Betina ensured that we did by pushing our partners to their physical limits, making us feel stronger and more connected to each other. We celebrated our successes with a LUNA Protein Berry Greek Yogurt bar.
Photo credit: Amy Boyle Photography
Check our Instagram video post for the cool experience. Also, go to the Nike Training Club schedule for more FREE workout classes with Betina and other Nike masters. Sign up and bring your LUNA Protein Berry Greek Yogurt Bar.
You can make your own post workout berry bliss any where LUNA bars are sold!
Wanna hear some juicy gossip? You’ve probably heard of bar crawls and food crawls…but we got something fresh squeezed and new just for you: a juice crawl!
Where did we find out about this sweet event? Last week, we attended a Fuel Flow class with Mindfuel Wellness at the James Hotel. Owners and fitness teachers, Jacquelyn Brennan and Kelly Moore, want to ignite a passion for wellness in individuals, corporations and the community.
The Fuel Flow class is unique in that Kelly and Jacquelyn take turns leading and blend their diverse backgrounds in yoga and pilates. We loved the pace of the class and the 15 minute segments of each discipline.
Mindfuel Wellness offers personalized one on one programs, community building events and corporate wellness initiatives like kitchen takeovers or movement classes.
Following class, we were treated to juice samples from Real Good Juice Co. (a preview of juices to come) and snacks from David Burke’s Primehouse.
Now what’s the “dill” with this juice crawl?
Juice Joints: Begin at City Press Juice in Lakeview, run to Real Good Juice in Old Town and drink up with a final sampling & toast at Harvest Juicery in West Loop.
Fit Points: Squeeze out some fitness as you crawl and run between juice spots, a total 4.8 miles. All paces of runners/joggers/hop on a divvy bikers welcome!
Cost: $40
Click here to mix it up!
You can also get a taste of Mindfuel with Kelly and Jacquelyn’s weekly Fuel Flow classes.
Dates and Times: Sunday June 5 & 12, 4:00pm-5:15pm
Location: Spring – 3940 N. Lincoln, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL
Format: An all-level 75 minute class alternating between Pilates and yoga.
Cost: $20 per class.
There are so many good juice spots in Chicago so we hope this becomes more than an annual event. Where would you love to crawl to? Let us know in the comments!
As the Mudderella mud event approaches in two weeks (June 4th GASP!!), we are pondering how to prep for this muddy mania. As this is a non timed event, it’s more about building your confidence and girl bonds but we want to … Continue reading
Yes, it’s Monday and we are already dreaming of the weekend. Those lazy Saturdays where you roll out of bed, throw your hair into a messy top knot and meet up with your gal pals for a hearty brunch. This weekend, twist up the routine by adding some blowouts and beauty goody bags to that brunchin’. Join Kathy Ruda, HERFITNESS health and fitness blogger, in her quest to raise funds for AVON 39 and breast cancer awareness.
Are you Burnin’ to hear all the Brunchy details?
*Currently all workout classes offered at Brunch x Burn are full but Kathy is looking to expand them. Stay alert by following the Brunch x Burn event on Facebook, fit family!*
When: May 22nd, 2016, 1-3 pm
Where: Equinox Gold Coast, 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Brunch: Fuel your day with healthy juices from JuiceRx and tasty pastries from Beatrix
Blowouts and Braids: Check the Brunch x Burn page for updates! Blowout Junkie will make ya look fabulous (um hello blowouts usually cost like $35 and up so this ticket is a steaalllll)
Benefits: You will feel like a charitable goddess as you shake your glossy blown out hair. Bring some cash to for the raffle table and prep yourself for a bounty of giveaways. Each guest will also receive a free HERFITNESS goodie bag filled with healthy snacks & discount cards from sponsors (think free passes to Equinox, Kind bars and more).
Cost: Only $15 and your donation goes directly towards to AVON 39: The Walk to End Breast Cancer.
Tickets! brunchxburn.splashthat.com or Follow Kathy on IG @kathyruda
Clean water is a cool commodity in the U.S. and the world. It is the one thing we cannot live without (as the show Naked and Afraid on Discovery Channel has demo-ed time and time again). Surge for Water, seeks … Continue reading
Do you wanna know a secret? We’ve been practicing yoga for years. It’s what brought our friendship to fruition. BUT! We’ve never taken a Yoga 101 class until now.
Studio Three’s new FREE Yoga 101 class offers a format that is accessible to anyone, from new yogis, to sweaty gurus (especially those who need patience practice). So don’t be nervous if you’ve never ventured into this world of open mouth tongue out breathin’. We checked it out 2 Saturdays ago and checked our assumptions at the door.
First Impressions:
Studio Three’s yoga studio features linen covered decorative lamps (good for staring at in a hard pose), hardwood floors and natural light to induce relaxation. Studio Three also features cycling and interval training in its other 2 studios.
Attending your first yoga class can be intimidating. You know, those people all stretching and showing off their wacky legs behind their head poses. However, our teacher, Todd Rhoades, was bubbly, welcoming and accommodating to all in the room. Luckily no one in our class was stunting either. Todd is multi-talented and has a background in yoga, and dance. This evident in his grace and ease at talking through poses.
Note: Emily DeBouver and Maggie McElhiney are teaching an “It’s Britney B*^#h” dance class on March 25th at Studio Three if yoga’s not your thang.
Format (may vary by teacher):
We began with pranayama practice, breathing in one nostril and out the other, sometimes feeling like a drowning hippo. Prana what, now? It’s a breathing practice for yoga to help you be in tune with your gorgeous bod. We then moved on to sun salutations with an explanation and demo of each step. Class may seem slow if you are used to quick vinyasa flow but we were sore after and learned a ton. Classes can cover a variety of topics including etiquette, form, history and/or alignment.
Where: Studio Three, 648 N Clark Street
Chicago IL, 60654
When: Saturdays, 1:45-2:45 pm
Bonus: This Saturday, March 19th, is Yoga 101 with QUICHE AND MIMOSAS!!
Sign Up: First, sign up for an account. Next, schedule yourself!
Already experienced? Studio Three could appease many a yogi with styles from Forrest Yoga (from the amazing Allison English) to Hot Power, Flow, or challenging Hi-Def (integrated yoga and strength training). We gots to go back and give another try another style.
*Update* 3/25/2016 Yoga 101 will morph into Power Yoga 101 for April.
Chi Organic Girls 