Tips for Trekking Your First Trail Run

Posted on November 6, 2015 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Now that Race-tober has come to a close, we’ve had a chance to reflect on all the “firsts” we’ve experienced this month: Monica ran her first 10K, Run 10 Feed 10, Kate took her sister to her first 5k, a very rainy yet triumphant Monster Dash and one of our most memorable races, our first trail run with the The North Face Endurance Challenge at Kettle Moraine State Park. The North Face went above and beyond in sponsoring us, not only giving us sweet race gear before the race, but also surprising us with a backpack full of running essentials once we made our way to our hotel.

For anyone who has been running 5Ks for a while or would love to just get out in nature more, we think a trail run could hit both those spots.

Here are some things we learned from our experience:

These shoes were made for trailin’

Invest in a pair of trail shoes. Your feet will thank you for your generosity. When we first received our North Face Ultra MT trail shoes, we noticed how stiff they were as compared to our norm runners. A wise friend explained that trail running shoes and more hearty with more tread so you have better grip and can withstand stepping on wily rocks and sticks that may try to block your path. These shoes are also waterproof to withstand wet and muddy trails.

Climbing every mountain

The environment of trails can vary from run to run. You may find well groomed trails, wild overgrown ones, or paved trails in your travels. You may find you require more stamina and time to trail run than what you’re used to so don’t feel discouraged if you are slower paced than your average pavement jaunt.

Dress to impress–the wilderness

The weather the day of our trail run was not exactly what you would expect for early October but Midwest weather is like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, ya never know what you’re gonna get. Chilly and brisk was the name of the running game for our race day. Keeping in mind that we were going through the woods, we wore layers. For rain, try a light or medium weight rain jacket, like The North Face Women’s Venture Jacket. Trust us, don’t wear your poncho to run unless you want to sweat like a wild hog as you swish through the wilderness.

And some advice from the trail running pros!

Runner’s World: 21 Quick Trail Running Tips

Active.com: 9 Trail Running Tips for Beginners

Trail Runner: The 10 Commandments of Healthy Running

Ready, set, go!

You can still take on the North Face Endurance Challenge in California, Washington D.C. and New York or try an Illinois trail run if you’re our neighbors.

Still trail shy?

The North Face offers their free Mountain Athletics training sessions every Tuesday and Thursday in Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. to help you prep for your next ski jump, rock climb, run or crazy jazz hand competition…whatever your goal may be.

Fitness Friday: Equinox Ropes and Rowers

Posted on August 21, 2015 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

For those who haven’t been to Equinox, you’ve been missing out on a luxury fitness experience. Think top tier fitness instructors, a wide array of fitness tools at your fingertips and a cool lavender towel resting on your neck after busting your butt. If that weren’t enough, Equinox’s group fitness classes keep you on your toes as they constantly think of new ways to challenge your svelte regime.

Equinox has two new classes in heavy rotation: Best Butt Ever (who can say no to that! Bounce a quarter off this pup) and Ropes and Rowers. We wrangled our schedules to make time for Ropes and Rowers and the calories were roasted! We loved the interval format as we moved through 4 different stations: Rowing, Battle Ropes, Step Work, and Weighted Exercise Balls.

Here’s how to survive this intense class and feel like an Olympic Champion:

COME EARLY! We had a major fitness faux pas as Kate thought the class started at 6:30..soo…but our instructor Tanya from Equinox Lincoln Park not only made space for us but took time to get us set up and explain what was happening.
Get tough! Neither one of us have experienced a Battle Rope before. Battle Ropes are said to improve body balance, encourage functional fitness and boost mental toughness. Our favorite station included thwaping this heavy rope first, then pulling the ropes (attached to a heavy weight) all the way to you, and finishing with pushing the weight all the way back to start. Killer abs here we come.
Pace yourself and keep going! Even though the class isn’t super long (40 minutes with about 5 minutes of stretching), you will be surprised how exhausted you get after donkey kicking, speed water rowing, and Russian twisting your tail off! One of our rowing segments, consisting of 100 meter row sprints, took our breathe away (and not in the romantic way)!

Ready to battle? Check out Ropes and Rowers at any Chicagoland Equinox. Has anyone experienced the battle royale of battle ropes? Let us know what you think!!

Fitness Friday: MatBox for a Knockout Body

Posted on July 24, 2015 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Tired of the same ol’ cardio, weights, rinse, repeat? Your body is too! Since variety is the spice of life and the booster of metabolisms, we always try to mix up our routine. And mix it up we did in the newly created matBox workout at Pilates ProWorks Lincoln Park this past Monday.

Pilates ProWorks was co-founded in 2010 by a fit husband and wife duo, Oscar Sanin and Taylor Carter. Oscar sustained injuries during an accident that required rehabilitation and found quick gains in strength with Pilates. He also noticed, however, that Pilates machines, workouts and even cost of classes could be improved. Thus, he and his wife reformed the typical methods of Pilates with Pilates ProWorks (hahaha fitness joke).

MatBox is only offered in Chicago and San Francisco currently and will expand nationwide to all Pilates ProWorks by the end of July. So get this, whether you love Pilates, boxing, HIIT, yoga or even running, you will find something to love during your matBox class. Its like a workout for the spontaneous (or easily bored). The first 30 minutes of class centers around interval training with kick boxing rounds and high intensity cardio (think burpees, football runs, in place sprints). Next, you head to the mat for classic Pilates moves like the one hundred (abs up for grabs!). Finally, you stretch out with a relaxing yoga sequence (well semi relaxing as a chaturanga is thrown in here and there).

Here are our core tips to be a powerhouse in matBox class:

Prep-Bring a water bottle and a towel with you and wear grippy socks. You will drip off calories, no lie.
For the boxing portion of matBox, you need hand wraps and boxing gloves. Hand wraps must be purchased but come in cute bright colors. Monica chose red and Kate snagged the blue (for ‘Merica, ya know). Give yourself 15 minutes before class to get ready. Our teacher, Rita, helped us wrap our hands as we were newbies but there is an online video if you’re a DIY kinda gal.

If you’ve never boxed, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Classes are relatively small so individual support is available. Rita walked around throughout class and adjusted students’ form, encouraged us to push harder and pointed out when we were rocking our body.
You’ll be sore! That’s a good thing right? By the end of the boxing sequence, our punches and kicks became less Wonder Woman and more wimpy. MatBox works to drive your endurance up so don’t be discouraged if you need to take a breather several times during class.

Pilates ProWorks also offers FitFormer machine based Pilates classes, Barre Pro, Barre and Pilates Fusion classes (called 30/30) and TRX classes so there’s no shortage of toning options.

Ready to knockout the competition?

Try a 1 week new client special for only $35 if you wanna try out every class at Pilates ProWorks OR…..break out your guns and pose!

Pilates ProWorks is kicking off matBox with the #matBoxMug competition, inviting fitness enthusiasts and amateurs alike to post their best boxing-related vogue poses on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for a chance to win a complimentary one-month membership. Follow and tag Pilates ProWorks @pilatesproworks with your photo and #matBoxMug for entry.

Feel the Burn with OrangeTheory Fitness

Posted on July 10, 2015 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Finding time to work out can be challenging enough without worrying about whether or not what you’re doing is effective! Recently, we were invited to try out OrangeTheory Fitness. Breathe a sign of relief, there are no solving of the math problems involved but there is SCIENCE, a science-y type theory forms the foundation for OrangeTheory. Co-founder, Dave Long, and the OrangeTheory team started OrangeTheory in Fort Lauderdale, Florida centered around the concept of the very epic EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption). Read all the beaker and measuring kind of details here. In laywoman’s terms, when you work out, you monitor your heart rate and try to get as much time as possible in the orange zone. This zone gives you a stronger afterburn, aka you burn more calories sitting around on your tushy after.

We traveled to newly opened Wicker Park location to get our afterburn on. Troy, our instructor, was kind enough to give us an overview of the class before we started. We wrangled our heart monitors around our rib change (to check our orange essence) to prep for the workout. The class was large so we split into 2 groups. Our group started with weight bearing sets while the other group cardio-ed it up with intervals on the treadmills. After half an hour, the groups switched.

What we dug:

Technology! Screens showed examples of the order of each of our weight sets and demonstrated how to do the exercise.

Another monitor showed group members’ names and what zone they were in at all times. Our heart monitors, linked to the screen, showed green, red or orange depending on zone. It definitely made you strive for that orange and kept you engaged.

Class goers also get a full report of their workout sent to their email so they can track their progress.

No boredom!

The equipment options and intervals keep you on your toes! Each class promises variety. You may row on a water rower one interval, move on to TRX the next, and then on to free weights and have a totally different set of exercises next class.

Best news!

First timers to OrangeTheory can try out 2 sessions for FREE! Get ready to burn baby burn for hours after you check it out.

Whether you are looking to lose weight or just improve your speed, strength or stamina, OrangeTheory will make you say “Orange you glad you came to workout!”

Be Bold with Brooklyn Boulders and Luna Bar

Posted on June 12, 2015 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

It’s FITNESS FRIDAY and if you’re stuck in a fitness rut, we know just the way to climb out! Try indoor rock climbing! Being bold on the boulders not only challenges your body, it can also calm stress and amp up your brain.

Last Wednesday, Luna Bar continued it’s #LUNAChiReveal with their Salted Caramel Protein Bar, Brooklyn Boulders and a host of talented and strong Chicago women to give us a chance to try indoor rock climbing. Brooklyn Boulders Chicago is one of facilities in the U.S. Not only can visitors try traditional bouldering, auto belay or rope climbing, but they can also sample fitness classes like Acro-Yoga, weight training or bring a laptop and get some work done in between climbing in the relaxing upstairs meeting space.

Luna Bar mixed it up with 3 stations for us rookie climbers:

Bouldering

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing sans a harness or ropes. Ob-v, Brooklyn Boulders loves safety so there’s a crash mat waiting for you in case you can’t find your way down. There are various routes, called problems in the rock climbing world, with easy level climbing and ultra hard climbing. First, BKB staff had us practice falling. We call it the upside bug technique. Basically, the goal is to land face up with the impact on your cushiony butt and your extremeties curled in like a insect that’s been flicked over. Next, we scurried our way up the simpler routes. Monica is a natural as she made her way to the top and back no problem (or maybe she’s part squirrel).

Auto Belay Certification

The auto belay, an automatic rope connected to a harness that supports the climber, is a daunting yet thrilling. BKB instructors demo-ed the proper way to connect the auto belay to the harness as well as how to descend (although none of us Luna participates did it quite as gracefully). Once connected, you freely ascend up the problem of your choice and when you feel you can’t move up any longer, you let go. The auto belay catches and lowers you safely. Once certified by staff, visitors of BKB are allowed to move about different courses with auto belays.

Dream Space

We named this ourselves but Luna put together some inspirational crafting, delish new Salted Caramel Protein Bar samplin’, and blogger minglin’ in the upstairs work space. Postcards with antique style ink stamps were set up in a cute mailboxes and we were encouraged to write encouraging words to our selves! There was also a colorful chalkboard set up to channel your motivational side by writing when you feel the most strong.

We highly recommend rising (ahaaa) to the challenge of indoor climbing. BKB staff are friendly, professional an truly made us feel safe as first timers. Step up to Brooklyn Boulders with a Salted Caramel Protein bar to replenish yourself after a grueling but rewarding advance! Has anyone else been to Brooklyn Boulders? What do you think!?

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Fitness Friday: Travel Fit with Hyatt Chicago and The Barre Code

Posted on April 24, 2015 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Music festivals, street food, Summer Dance, Taste of Chicago, baseball games: Chicago is a tourist’s dream. Even us natives like a good hotel staycation to explore all that this great city has to offer. But after all those donuts, Chicago dogs and Malort, you may need a good workout!

As travelling and fitness aren’t always synonymous, the Hyatt Regency Chicago is giving your health a helping hand with heart pumping in-room workout videos from the Barre Code. Started in Chicago, the Barre Code has expanded across the country due to its’ poppy music, female friendly environment and muscle shaping moves. Instead of Bearing Down (Chicago Bears!), you can barre up with specially created sets of body weight based strength training and intense cardio. Each video unexpectedly uses common in-room items like towels, chairs and pillows to add functionality. Guests can pump up the difficulty by borrowing free weights and yoga mats for no extra cost. The 24 hour availability of workouts insure that business or pleasure doesn’t barre fitness endeavors!

Hyatt Chicago is seated downtown at 151 East Wacker Drive near Mag Mile. This Sunday, April 26th 11 AM – 2 PM, Hyatt Chicago and The Barre Code are hosting a complimentary fun-filled fitness.

The Barre Code has studios throughout Chicago and is opening a new studio in Oak Park, IL at the beginning of May. Studios also exist in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas with more to come!

Giveaway: Getting Fly with the April Flywheel Fitness Challenge!

Posted on April 3, 2015 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Are we the only ones who threw on bikinis under our parkas in the 70s Chicago weather Wednesday? Yes, us Chicagoans are weather obsessed because dang it! Our favorite very short spring/summer season is finally on the horizon. With that in mind, we have been picking up the fit pace by trying new workout options in the Chi. On Monday, we were honored to be invited to Flywheel Old Town for an intro to their Spring Flywheel Challenge. Starting 4/20, Flywheel will be offering a support system to help you meet whatever your health and fitness goals are. So if you want to throw off the parka and prance around the Maggie Daley water slides, now is the time to focus on those goals.

What is the Flywheel Challenge?

Allison, our Flywheel instructor and a challenge coach explained that the challenge can be whatever you want it to be. Whether you want to lose weight, gain endurance or speed or build muscle, the staff at Flywheel will cater the plan to meet your needs. The basic skeleton is this:

There are 3 options for the 4 week challenge – The Flywheel Challenge, FlyBarre Challenge and FlyPlus Challenge (both Barre and Flywheel).

(Below description of Flywheel Challenge is described by the Flywheel promotional team)

Flywheel Challenge
· 4 classes per week / 16 classes total

· Optional weekly weigh-ins with designated Flywheel Coach

· Kick-off event with a nutritional seminar and a Flywheel technique workshop that addresses proper bike set-up, positioning, arms and more to ensure that participants understand how to get the most out of their workout

· The Flywheel Challenge is optimal for those looking to burn calories, increase endurance and improve cardiovascular health

FlyBarre Challenge
· 4 classes per week / 16 classes total

· Includes optional weekly measurements with designated FlyBarre Coach

· Kick-off event includes nutritional seminar and a FlyBarre 101 workshop where various portions of a FlyBarre class will be highlighted (at a broken down pace) to ensure participants have a better understanding of movements and technique

· The FlyBarre Challenge is optimal for those looking to tone and sculpt, improve core strength, and increase muscular stamina

FlyPlus Challenge
· 3 Flywheel classes and 3 FlyBarre classes per week / 24 classes total

· Includes optional weekly weigh-ins and/or measurements with designated FLY Coach

· Kick-off event includes nutritional seminar, a Flywheel technique workshop and a FlyBarre 101 workshop

· The FlyPlus Challenge is optimal for those looking to burn calories, increase endurance AND tone and sculpt

All Challenges include other perks like community discussions with other challengers to get peer motivation, professional nutrition support and meal plans as well as a kick off and closing party.

Our Experience at Flywheel:

So spinning…is somewhat intimidating for those who have barely done it. You have these shoes that strap you in and bike pedals that lock and load so it’s best to know what you are doing. We liked Flywheel’s friendly front desk staff and sleek studio space. The studio had support gentlemen who helped us get the perfect bike set up while the instructor was preparing to start class. The atmosphere during the class was less competitive and more like a fun dance party. We definitely needed to towel off the sweat and were challenged by the intensity of the interval portions of class.

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Interested in getting a taste of the challenge? WIN WIN WIN

One lucky winner will receive a free Flywheel class* to prep for summa summa timeeee. Just comment on this blog post and tell us what your health and fitness goal are in preparation for the warmer months.

*Winner will need to set up a (free) account and username to access the class.

Move your Bolly-licious Body with Doonya

Posted on March 27, 2015 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

It’s Move It March! Yeah, March is making us mad so we are reclaiming the month in efforts to leap off our comatose couch-bound status. Sadly, there is snow AGAIN on the ground and, with the irresponsible nature of Chicago Spring, indoor workouts are a must. As we all need variety (or vari-itay as one could say), we jumped at a recent invite to sample a unique world dance inspired fitness class, Doonya. Khushboo Rami, our fearless instructor and 1 of 2 Doonya instructors in the whole Chicago area, warmly welcomed us to the River North Gym for our first Doonya experience.

Some of you probably have an inkling of what Doonya is all about from some alluring TV commercials. Seriously, we had our debit card in one hand and the remote in the other debating on whether to buy their streaming online classes. Doonya has actually been around since 2005 when innovator and super fit co-founders, Priya and Kajal, aspired to develop what they were doing in their Indian dance troupe to a replicable dance fitness method. Khushboo was the 4th trained instructor in D.C. and carried the brand with her when she moved to the Chi. So, what can you expect when you lace on your Reeboks and get ready for your flash dance moment?

Khushboo explained that Doonya has some major components that are present in every class, no matter where you attend. There is always a mix of high and low energy cardio and 4 major dance styles are weaved throughout the class: Indian folk, Bhangra, Classical Indian dance/conditioning, and Bollypop (Indian popular dance sometimes mixed with mainstream Western pop/rap). The signature moves, like the Bollytap, glute lifts and knee lifts, crunchy standing ab moves and the heel flick, you will be able to catch the rhythm after a few songs. Once you have a few favorite numbers, you can request your best Bolly-shaking tunes on Facebook or directly to your amicable Doonya instructor.

So how did our first class go? Well, although we both work out (yoga, running, dance), our bodies were still challenged by Doonya’s high impact cardio sections. Khushboo broke down basic moves before beginning routines which made it less intimidating for us newbies. Near the middle, we found our sweaty spot but weren’t too concerned as the infectious dance music keeps you moving. We really loved the M.I.A. “Bad Girls” remix and were super surprised by the challenging nature of the classical moves at the end. Your thighs will shake!

Ready to throw on a kurti and give it a try? Khushboo teaches on Thursdays at 5:30 pm and drop in classes are only $15. You can also sign up for a free 3 day pass for River North Gym and try your first Doonya class for nuthin’. The gym is hiding on the 10th floor of the Merchandise Mart so take the Brown or Purple line if you don’t wanna mess with parking. We can’t wait to go back to work on our shoulder shimmies.

Here are a few of our fave Bollywood jams to get you in the bollymood for Doonya. Do you have a secret Bolly-jam? Let us know so we can expand our collection!

Dilli Wali Girlfriend

High Heels

1, 2, 3, 4 from Chennai Express

Your Fittest Week Ever

Posted on January 19, 2015 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Don’t give up on those resolutions yet! Chicago land is popping this week with low cost and free fitness workshops, health and nutrition seminars and fun events. Oh and it’s nice-ish outside so you could attempt to brave the outdoors…so, take that winter!

Wednesday Jan 21

Speaking of running, isn’t it more fun with a pack? Join other lady runners at Fleet Feet Lincoln Square for Chick’s Night. Runners and walkers are welcome and routes range between 3 and 6 miles. Can’t do a Wednesday? Run clubs are also available on other weeknights through Fleet Feet.

Thursday Jan 22

“Shake and pop. Shake and pop.” Do you ever imagine you’re dancing at a club during your cardio classes? Your dream is now a reality! Join Flirty Girl Fitness, live DJs, 3 different dance instructors, back up dancers, lights, sound, and fellow cardio heads at the first ever Club Cardio Concert at Sound Bar. Tickets are only $15*, cheaper than the usual drop in, and drinks are available for purchase. This is for the grown and sexy so 21+ only allowed.

Are you trying to explore food allergies or gluten free living? Bountiful Eatery is hosting a gluten free meetup from 7-9 pm on Thursday. Holistic Health Coach, Joy Duginske, and Gluten Free Mom, Tiffany Hinton, will share tips and thoughts on gluten free lifestyles. Attendance is free! RSVP here.

Friday Jan 23

Do you ever tip toe around your living room pretending to be the Black Swan? Ok, maybe that’s just us. Aspiring adult ballerinas and hip hop heads can take free classes at the Joffrey Ballet (GASP! So exciting) at Free First Friday.

Free First Friday

Joffrey Ballet, 10 East Randolph

12:00-1:00 pm Keep Fit Ballet with Kim Sagami
1:15-2:15 pm Pilates with Zineb Chraibi
6:30-8:00 pm Intermediate Ballet with Lynne Alberding
6:30-7:30 pm BeMoved with Jennifer Edgcomb
7:00-8:00 pm Hip Hop with Dantriell Houston

Saturday Jan 24

Whew! You made it to the weekend. Now chill and enjoy the fine art of meditation at 9 am with Hamsa Ayurveda and Yoga founder, Monica Yearwood. No need to register! Just show up and experience the brain changing power of meditation.

Free Meditation Group
Saturdays, 9 am (open and ongoing). Hamsa Center, 3807 N. Lincoln Avenue.

And then hype yourself back up with free and intense cardio from CrossTown Fitness at the South Loop Lululemon store. Join Kailee Martin at 3 pm at the Roosevelt Collection. You must register online to attend.

Sunday Jan 25

2015 is a year for dancing! Learn some Latin moves for free and heat up your winter at the South Shore Cultural Center with Chicago’s Winter Dance.

Winter Dance, South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr.

2-3pm – Lisa “La Boriqua” Latin Street Dancing (salsa lesson)
3-5pm – Viva! Marc Anthony Tribute Project (live salsa band performing two 50-minute sets)

Pure Barre Lincoln Park: Fit Review

Posted on December 5, 2014 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

10 brave women made it out in the cold after a appetizer, sides, and pie holiday to get their fitness on this past Sunday at our first ever private Chiorganic Girls class at Pure Barre Lincoln Park, an admirable feet given the tendency to want to sleep off the lingering food coma. We were grateful for our motivation to attend as we got a kick a*@ workout that toned and tightened to reset the good habits and prepare us for the back to work grind.

Lincoln Park Pure Barre is a brand new workout hot spot that just opened November 4th. Ashley Gertz, owner of the newly opened Pure Barre in Lincoln Park, opened the location because of her personal love of barre classes and keen business sense. She welcomed our group with a tour and an overview of what Pure Barre has to offer. Ashley, a former marathoner and avid runner, found that cardio didn’t promote toning and strength so she joined the River North Pure Barre and was hooked.

Marguerite, our teacher, gave us the overview of common moves of Pure Barre and then we got cracking with an immediate plank set (WHYYY??). Bubbly pop music as well as giggles from class participants offset the strenuousness of the miniscule muscle movements. We rolled through abs, arms, legs and ended with (sigh*) more abs and a bridge set to tense up the tush.

After class, we took our shaky legs to the lobby area for complimentary Kashi and Luna snack bars as well as raffle for 2 lucky participants.

And now, we are sore…very pleasantly “can’t walk up the stairs so well” sore, evidence of a real workout. Wanna check it out? Pure Barre Lincoln Park offers new students a very affordable unlimited month of classes for $99. If you join now, you can also compete in the Jingle Tuck challenge (15 classes in 30 days) for prizes and the ultimate win, a retreat at a spa in Arizona.

Chi Organic Girls

Tag Archives: fridayfitness

Tips for Trekking Your First Trail Run

Fitness Friday: Equinox Ropes and Rowers

Fitness Friday: MatBox for a Knockout Body

Feel the Burn with OrangeTheory Fitness

Be Bold with Brooklyn Boulders and Luna Bar

Fitness Friday: Travel Fit with Hyatt Chicago and The Barre Code

Giveaway: Getting Fly with the April Flywheel Fitness Challenge!

Move your Bolly-licious Body with Doonya

Your Fittest Week Ever

Free First Friday

Pure Barre Lincoln Park: Fit Review

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