Let's go inside the numbers of Fork's all-new bicycle-based sandwich tour of Chicago, winkingly named 'Wich Way. more ›

Freshman Peoria Congressman Aaron Schock appears on the cover of the June Men's Health and showing off abs worthy of a P90X workout. Seriously, the youngest member of Congress has Ravishing Rick Rude abs. Schock should hold town hall meetings in Peoria and just imitate Rude addressing wrestling audiences: "What I want right now is for all you fat, out of shape sweathogs to keep the noise down while I take my sportcoat and shirt off, and show the ladies what a real Congressman is supposed to be like. HIT THE MUSIC!" more ›

Art Smith's been getting a lot of press about the 90 pounds of weight he shed in recent weeks. Smith shares his weight loss secrets in today's Sun-Times and, wouldn't you know, it all came down to eating right and exercising. more ›

We reported in yesterday’s Extra, Extra, that top cop Jody Weis -- a buff body builder married to a personal trainer -- wants to modify the current incentive for officers to stay healthy and fit. Instead of the $250 bonus payment for officers to run a timed 1.5 miles and meeting sit-up and bench-press requirements, Weis wants a program that offers a more holistic approach with good health being the ultimate incentive. more ›

Live in the 44th Ward? Care a ton about Wrigleyville development? There's a public meeting tonight with Alderman Tom Tunney to talk about the proposed development on Addison. Yes, head to the Stadium Club at Wrigley (swank!) at 6:30 tonight for the airing of grievances. Er, discussion. more ›

From today’s Sun-Times: joining the ranks of Weight Watchers (sorry, “don’t call it a diet”, although Valerie Bertinelli on the Jenny Craig plan is looking fierce these days), NutriSystem, and Seattle Sutton in town are the Mike George Fitness System personal chef Program and Alter EatGo. more ›

For the fifth time in six years, the New England Revolution have ended the Chicago Fire's season. New England forward Taylor Twellman scored a spectacular bicycle kick goal in the 38th minute that turned out to be the game winner. Twellman was covered tightly by Dasan Robinson and Logan Pause but was able to head the ball in the air then perform the acrobatic kick between the two defenders and leaving goal keeper Matt Pickens... more ›

Indoor Swimming Options? more ›

Is one out of four people you know obese? A new study out by the Trust for America's Health found that 24.4 percent of Illinoisans are obese, putting us squarely in the middle of the country (we are 25th). What is more troubling is that we have the the 14th highest rate of overweight youths (ages 10-17) at 15.8 percent. If you like to make comparisons, Colorado is the skinniest state and Mississippi was the most overweight, as measured by the percent of the population that is obese. more ›

This one’s dedicated to those out there whose main form of exercise revolves around a slick, shiny pole. No, we’re really not talking about anything relating to Chris Nieratko. … Well, maybe in an indirect fashion. Earlier this month, a funky new health club opened up in the West Loop. This wasn’t just any club, however. This was a club for the ladies. Flirty Girl Fitness at 1325 W. Randolph offers a range of salacious... more ›

We'd like to start this week's run-down by wishing a very happy birthday to parent blog Gothamist, which turned four on Friday. If it wasn't for them, the rest of us wouldn't be here. They celebrated their birthday by nabbing an interview with Entourage star Adrian Grenier, who misses NYC public transportation when he's working in LA. They also reported on NYU students protesting a band whose name is also known as a slur,... more ›

You may not have known it, but an exclusive club more than an century old lurks inside a quatrefoil-laden building across from Millennium Park. At least, it will for a few more scant months. The Chicago Athletic Association, located at 12 S. Michigan, is closing its doors in mid-May. Not that those doors were open to just anyone to begin with. With a pedigree claiming Marshall Field, Cyrus McCormick and CAA building architect Henry Ives... more ›

Whether you like the freakish warm weather we've had or have been desperately wishing you were stranded in Denver for the last few weeks, it can often be a challenge to keep up one's fitness regimes in cold weather. You know, you're tired, or your bike isn't suited for the ice, or you're lazy ... whatever. We just wanted to let you know the Chicago Park District is apparently there for you. The park district... more ›

Even though temperatures are dropping and the temptation to curl up under the covers all evening is at an all-time high, Americans are doing a bit better in getting their heart rate up. Earlier this week, NBC-5 reported Illinois, in particular, has made the most fitness progress overall, according to a report from the United Health Foundation. more ›

Don't let your ex-hippie parents try to convince you that they invented the student protest back in the 60's. Even with all the sit-ins, marches, slogans, and weed, they were just continuing a long tradition of student oppostion to everything from the physical fitness of their professors to too much emphasis on trigonometry in the curriculum. more ›

When we are out walking around the city we strive to be aware of our surroundings; literally the only self-defense we know is avoidance. But, fear the streets no longer my friends, Guile's Sonic Boom has become a reality. This Fox Chicago newscast on YouTube shows Tom Cameron from the Palos Olympic Health and Racquet Club and his touchless knockout. more ›

Chicagoist knows you have wasted a Saturday watching all the Rocky movies or watching a marathon of ESPN's "The Contender." Now it's time to get off your couch and get in the ring for the workout of a liftetime. Get started by heading down to the Chicago Athletic Association next Monday to hear John E. "The Pecos Kid" Oden talk about the sport of White Collar Boxing. Oden will also be signing copies of his book White Collar Boxing: One Man's Journey From the Office to the Ring. more ›

Chicagoist has always been a little intimidated by the Lakeshore Athletic Club and the fit, pretty people we’ve seen walking in and out of its doors. Turns out we may have had good reason to be creeped out. more ›

With Lollapalooza this weekend, it seems only right that we revisit the dance craze that was OK Go’s “A Million Ways” video. The choreography had its first public performance during an early set on the first day of last year’s Lolla and went on to be a viral video phenomenon. Chicagoist spotted this new video yesterday on YouTube for “Here It Goes Again” and it’s been making the rounds on the local morning news... more ›

Chicagoist never gets the last word. Shows run long after we’ve weighed in, discussions evolve beyond our ramblings, companies grow, companies fold, artists work hard to make a living or to make the next news cycle. For our curious and attention-deficient readers, some quick updates on previously reported stories. Art Fairs and Festivals At the eleventh hour, the Merch Mart saved Art Chicago 2006. Soon after the exhibitors packed up came word that Merchandise Mart... more ›

Little-known secret: Chicagoist is somewhat of a fitness buff. We’re pretty dedicated runners, but we like to mix up the exercise regime. This quest for some cross-training led us to Eckhart Park for lap swim this week. However, we arrived early and had some time to kill. Not to mention, we were feeling the hunger. Imagine our delight when we turned and saw the Swim Café. Located at 1357 W. Chicago, the Swim Café is... more ›

The first long-term station closures went into effect today as part of the CTA’s Brown Line expansion project. Riders who usually use the Rockwell and Kedzie stops were treated with temperatures climbing toward the 30s as they walked to adjacent stops at Kimball, Francisco and Western. The CTA says the closures will last for up to six months, but at least there’s something to look forward to in the near future – the Francisco and Kimball stations will be closed for four consecutive weekends beginning this Friday. Whee! more ›

Last year Men's Fitness magazine named us the 5th fattest city. This year we took top honors. Chicago is THE fattest city in America. more ›

On August 28, 2001 somebody shot Chicago Detective Joseph M. Airhart in the head—leaving him paralyzed and only semiconscious to this day. In the trial's opening statements on Wednesday, prosecutor Robert Milan, first assistant to the Cook County State's Attorney, said it was Daniel Salley. The prosecution says that Salley, angry over an IRS investigation he says ruined his tax-preparation business, robbed a South Side bank twice in August 2001. Four days after the second... more ›

Outside of iPods in the gym, it’s rare that physical fitness and rock and roll intersect. Frankly, Chicagoist prefers it this way, as the results can be a bit dicey. Sure there’s punk rock aerobics, but there’s also sweatin’ to the oldies. more ›

Growing up we were always told that eating too much candy was bad for us, which might be one of the root reasons our fridge is always stocked with peanut butter cups and Pepsi. But to read some of the stories coming from the All Candy Expo, which wraps up today at McCormick Place, we could soon be having our cake and eating it, too (bad pun one hundred percent intended). more ›

Remember these? Milk Mustaches? Yeh, we thought they went out with the 90s too, but apparently not. In fact they're on TOUR for the 8th year in a row. The difference is that this year the Milk Mustache Mobile Tour has taken a new weight loss approach. And while weight loss methods are trendy, we've been assured that people ARE losing weight by drinking milk. This week keep your eyes open for a bunch... more ›

Tomorrow on your lunch break head over to Daley Plaza where they'll be celebrating Chicago Moves Day with activities from 11am - 1pm. more ›

Bloomin' Terrific, the City's celebration of springtime, starts off it's season today at Daley Plaza. Every Thursday around lunchtime there are activities and a market from now until May 12. It's probably too late for you to attend today's event on creating herb containers but you can still stop by the market, which is open from 8 am - 2pm every Thursday to sell flowers and plants. So get offya butt, outta your cube for a while and attend one of the other weekly events: more ›

Chicagoist wonders why this event isn't held a bit closer to St. Patrick's Day? The name seems kind of strange for an April event, but nonetheless this Sunday the 26th annual Shamrock Shuffle 8k race and 5k fitness walk take place starting at 9:30 am. Yeah, kind of early on a Sunday, especially when you lose an hour of sleep the night before! At least the weather's expected to be pretty ideal with a forecast high of 64 with some sun. more ›