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The 5 Most Unusual Workouts In Chicago

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 8, 2014 9:30PM

While the Chicago area was in the kung fu grip of a polar vortex it's easy to skip a regular workout because you don't want to go outside and, let's face it, some of us aren't the type to spend an hour repeating motions on elliptical machines, stationary bikes and treadmills. We need workouts that capture our attention.

Following are five workouts that will get your heart racing and calories burning while keeping you entertained and engaged.

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Forteza Fitness and Martial Arts
You know what your workout needs? Swordplay. Billing itself as the Midwest's only full-time school for the study of traditional Western martial arts and historical swordplay—the art of the longsword, rapier, arming sword—Forteza offers group and private classes in martial arts and self defense and is also home to the Bartitsu Club, the "lost martial art" made famous by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his Sherlock Holmes novels. Forteza's classes combine functional fitness training with 19th century “physical culture”—workouts using calisthenics, Indian clubs, medicine balls, therapeutic gymnastics, body-weight exercises and games designed to create natural strength and grace with athletic performance.

Forteza Fitness is located at 4437 N. Ravenswood Ave.

Derby Lite
Have you attended Windy City Rollers matches and marveled at the stamina of the derby dames? This Oak Park facility lets you strap on skates and work out without acting as a jammer. Derby Lite offers 90-120 minute classes for skaters of all levels and whole body workouts that are never boring.

Derby Lite headquarters is located at 37 South Boulevard in Oak Park. Check out their class schedule here.

Grupo Axé Capoeira
Chicago's only academy decicated to the Brazilian martial art combining dance, acrobatics and music has a full list of classes for adults and children, as well as traditional Brazilian dance and music classes.

Grupo Axé Capoeira is located at 1102 N. Ashland Ave.


RowFit Chicago
This small gym specializes in CrossFit, Rowing Bootcamp, Computrainer Cycling, Endurance Training and Triathlon Training but keeps their class sizes small for more a more personalized experience.

Rowfit Chicago is located at 1455 W. Hubbard St.


Go-Go Dance Classes At Flamenco Arts Center
Instructor Krista Ortgiesen teaches classes twice a week, teaching students how to dance the pony, the jerk and the hully gully. Ortgiesn spins music by The Who, The Zombies, The Beatles, The Kinks and more modern bands that fit in the style and spirit of her classes.

The Flamenco Arts Center is located at 3755 N. Western Ave. Check out the Go-Go dance lessons Facebook page here.