Get it Right, Get it Tight: W3 BodyFIT!

W3body body fit class is one of the most mentally and physically stimulating group exercise classes I have ever experienced. Coming from a background of taking a variety of classes throughout the Chicago based area, this class was definitely one of the most challenging.

Now you may think, “oh maybe she’s out of shape, has no endurance”, however, I work out at least four times a week for 45min to an hour. Most of my workouts include cardio, running being my favorite.

We’ve all heard of that saying “runners’ high”, that people tend to say they feel after their workout. However, statistically only 10-15% of runners will experience this actual euphoria. I consider myself to be one of these.

Not that I experience a rush of endorphins each and every time- it happens seldomly, but I definitely do feel better afterwards. Since I’m more of a cardio kinda gal, I don’t do strength training nearly enough. I find it challenging. Challenging in a way where I have to mentally empower myself and tell myself I can do it through the pain,sweat, and weights. Lots of weights.

After taking Body Fit, I discovered a lot more about my body. I discovered I’m stronger than I thought, and I can endure way more than I had imagined.

I owe my success to Cassie, brilliant W3body trainer, who guided me through my workout. Although the class was packed, she never once failed to correct my stance and the moment she did so, let me tell you, I felt the burn. She pushed us to our core, literally a work out from the inside out.

One thing I never thought I could get from strength training was that euphoric feeling I get from running.

I was right; I never achieved that feeling.

But what I earned was so much greater. It was an appreciation for muscles I never knew I had while running. Cassie pushed me beyond my limits making me wonder about my capabilities and sparked my interest to further test my ability. Body Fit encouraged me to become as strong as I can become.

It also made me question how strength training will benefit me in the long run.

So here are a few reasons every woman, girl, and female in the world should strength train:

MORE EFFECTIVE FAT LOSS

A crucial factor in weight training is your body’s ability to burn fat during and even after the work out. Your body then tends to consume more oxygen a few hours- even days- post weight training; this requires more caloric expenditure, creating a quicker metabolism.

HOLY CURVES

As your body builds muscle it takes on a womanly hour- glass shape. It helps create and sustain them!

 BEAUTY SLEEP LIKE NEVER BEFORE

A study published by International Sport med not only claims more efficient sleep, but says resistance training will help you fall asleep quicker with less waking up!

ENERGIZER BUNNY TYPE OF ENERGY

“A study published by the National Institute of Health suggests that the chronic increase in energy expenditure, even after a minimal resistance training session, may favorably effect energy balance and fat oxidation. 2 Rather than reaching for that early afternoon cup of coffee, grab a barbell.”

HEALTHY HEART HAPPY HEART

Pumping some iron here and there can actually help reduce heart disease. Studies have shown that those who lift tend to have lower chances of high blood pressure or glucose levels.

HEALTHY STRONG BONES

Resistance training is an excellent way to combat loss of bone mass, and it decreases the risk of osteoporosis.

LASTLY (but not really because there’s a million more) A CONFIDENT STRONGER YOU!

That’s right, a healthy strong you. What can feel better than that?

Now go lift something!

W3 Hosts WERQ fitness group exercise dance certification!

What is WERQ? WERQ is a fitness dance class. All of the music in this class is current top 40 pop, hip hop and rock. Unlike other hip hop fitness formats, WERQ ensures that anyone who is teaching this format is a fitness professional- in other words, holds a nationally recognized group fitness certification, such as ACE or AFAA. WERQ was founded in Chicago. Women’s Workout & Wellness recently hosted a WERQ certification for our instructors to become certified in this format. We are always looking to improve our group exercise schedules! And one of the ways we look to improve our group fitness classes is by adding new formats to keep our members excited. We also change our signature formats (we recently changed our HardBody group X class format) to ensure our members get a great yet different experience each time. If you’re looking for group exercise classes in Chicagoland, check out our vast group exercise schedules. You will no doubt find something you like from Latin dance- Zumba- to weight lifting- HardBody and Body Fit- to interval classes, like cardioflex, and then to cardio kickboxing, like Turbokick! We also offer mind/body classes, like Yoga or PiYo. Now, with our recent WERQ certification, we have yet another fun, calorie-burning format to add to our group exercise schedules throughout our Chicagoland gyms! Stay tuned for when this class will be added to the group exercise schedule at the W3 nearest you! In the meantime, check out this picture of our awesome W3 instructor TEAM before the WERQ cert!

W3 Chicago Spotlight: Group Exercise Instructor of the Month July

Introducing W3’s Instructor of the Month! Who’s in the spotlight? She was a member for 6 years and then turned into a group exercise instructor. While a member, she lost 131 pounds! And has obtained her Turbokick certification and also HardBody certification through Women’s Workout & Wellness since her weight loss.

She continues to inspire all W3 members and staff as she teaches at least 6 group exercise classes per week. She mainly teaches at the 51st and Kedzie location (Chicago) but also at the Monroe St. location in the Loop as well as subs and guest instructs at the other W3 clubs. Her name is Danitra, and her classes are phenomenal: full of energy, motivation and inspiration!

Check out the following video of her story and clips of her classes as well as a clip of a member who loves her Turbokick class! Share the link and her weight loss story with others to inspire them as well!

Tinley Park Functional Training Video!

Check out Rhea, one of W3’s Functional Training Coaches, in her interview about why she loves functional Training and being a part of the Women’s Workout Team! She teaches at the W3 in Tinley Park Functional Training classes. These include small group training and one on ones. She also teaches group exercise at Tinley Park.

If you’re looking for Tinley Park Functional Training classes, look no further than W3! You will get this great coach as your guide and her amazing workouts. Tinley Park functional training at Women’s Workout also offers you camaraderie with other women in the small group, accountability from your trainer, and weight loss and toning workouts that you’ll love! Check out why Rhea loves coaching functional training at the W3 in Tinley Park on 16015 S Harlem Ave 60477!!

Click here for a short video clip of Rhea doing TRX curtsey lunges, Tire Flips and Kettlebell Swings

Chicago Zumba for Women

Want a women-only Zumba class? Check out Women’s Workout at our 5 locations!

Zumba, still being one of the most popular group exercise/group fitness classes, is a party at Women’s Workout. If you’re looking for Chicago Zumba, W3 is the place to go!

Because we are a women-only fitness facility in Chicago and we know that women love Zumba, we make sure our Zumba classes are among the top in Chicagoland. Not only do we ensure we have great Chicago Zumba classes, but we also make sure that we change it up from time to time and make it FUN for our members through our Zumba parties!

We often celebrate National Dance Day with a Zumbathon party in July, where we have a “marathon” of Zumba for 2 hours at each Chicagoland location. We also have ZUMBAWEEN “Halloween Zumba” parties in October, and during February with National Heart Month, we celebrate healthy hearts with a Zumba and Turbokick cardio party!

Finding good (and affordable!) Chicago Zumba classes may be hard, especially downtown because you may have to buy a pricey punch card or class pass somewhere. Luckily, Women’s Workout is a perfect place to go for Chicago Zumba as we are affordable AND all of our group exercise classes and W3 locations are included in a membership! That’s right… go to any of our Chicagoland locations to take Zumba and pay nothing extra!

It’s not only a great deal for Chicago Zumba, but it’s a great value where you know you’ll get great results with great Zumba instructors and a consistent experience every time. Fill out the guest pass if you are not a member to be invited in to try a fabulous W3 Chicago Zumba class! We look forward to having you in our workout facility.

~W3~

Berwyn Zumba Classes at W3!

Check out our hot group exercise classes at W3! One of our great locations on Cermak & Ridgeland has packed classes and if you’re looking for ZUMBA in the Berwyn area, this is the place to go!

Being a very heavily-populated Hispanic area, Zumba with its latin-inspired moves is naturally a very popular class at this W3 location.

We have a variety of Berwyn Zumba instructors. One in particular is Veronica! She is the club manager and was recently certified in June. She has been teaching and helping out to promote Berwyn Zumba at W3 ever since! Some of her favorite moves and types of dances are Merengue,”Beto Shuffle,” & Cumbia. Her absolute favorite are the reggaeton songs! She has helped W3 make the Berwyn Zumba classes popular!

If you’re looking for Berwyn Zumba classes, look at the W3 in Berwyn located at 6342 W. Cermak Rd- give them a call 708-788-0010, stop in for a visit, or email them at berwyn@w3body.com. Also if you’re looking for Berwyn Zumba and want to try a class, fill out the form to the right and you will be contacted to redeem your free guest pass to Women’s Workout & Wellness. Get ready to dance the lbs away! We are having a Berwyn Zumba party (Halloween Zumba= Zumbaween) at the end of October. All W3 clubs will have a Zumba party! Special Berwyn Zumba HALLOWEEN songs during the week of October 28th. Please see club for details!

*Check out the pictures of a Berwyn Zumbathon party we had in 2011! W3 is the place to be.

Labor Day Special Hours and Group Exercise Classes at W3!

All W3 locations, except the W3 downtown on Monroe St., are open 8a-1pm on LABOR DAY! Monday- September 2nd.

The Monroe St. club will be closed.

The following are the special group exercise class schedules for each club. Hope to see you at W3 for a Labor Day workout before your festivities begin!

Berwyn: 9am ZUMBA with YOLANDA & 10AM Step Jam with Maria!

Downers Grove: 9:15a- Zumba with Lupe & 10:15a Turbokick with Lauren!

Hometown/Oak Lawn: Cardioflex: 9-10am & Zumba 10-11am: GENESIS!

Kedzie: 9:15am STEP JAM with AMANDA & 10:30am BODYFIT

Lawrence: 9am ZUMBA with Olga and BodyFit @ 10am with Olga!

Tinley Park: 8:30-9:30a: ZUMBA with MARIA! & 9:30-11:00a: Extended TURBOKICK with DANITRA!

W3 Fundraiser to Benefit A New Direction

This Saturday, March 23rd at our Hometown/Oak Lawn location, Women’s Workout & Wellness is working out to wipe out domestic violence. We are hosting a fundraiser to benefit A New Direction, a non-profit that works to raise money to help bring women out of domestic violence situations. We are happy to work with our members and neighboring guests to raise money for this amazing cause! ALL W3 members and any of their friends are welcome to participate in this event. We just ask for a $10 donation toward A.N.D. to take as many group exercise classes as you want- including our special MASTER class with top W3 instructors for our NEW launch of the Kickin’ Core Ball Round 21 class- signature to Women’s Workout & Wellness!

*We have extended our group exercise schedule for this day only to make the $10 spread from 8:15am-2:00pm! Join us- we will see you there!

8:15-9:00am: YOGA

9:00-10:00am: ZUMBA

10:00-11:00am: STEP

11:00-12:00pm: BODY FIT

12:00-1:00pm: PILATES

1:00-2:00pm: ***MASTER CLASS KICKIN’ CORE BALL***

If you have any questions, please email marketing@w3body.com. Thanks!

Women’s Workout & Wellness in Hometown/Oak Lawn:

4130 Southwest Highway

(at the corner of 87th and Pulaski)

(708) 425-2171