Gideon Akande: Men’s Health Next Top Trainer

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Something my Dad always preached to me growing up (and, truthfully, to this day) is “Strong Body, Strong Mind”- the mental and physical are beyond connected and you have to take care of one if you want to take care of the other.

This is Gideon Akande and he is my Chicago manifestation of Strong Body/Strong Mind. An instructor at both Flywheel and Shred415, he leads some of the sweatiest, most fun, most ass-kicking classes I have ever taken and he motivates from a place of drive and determination, a commitment to your goals. I mean, his arms alone are inspiring- I am constantly thinking that if I am around him enough, maybe my pipes could be that baller- but real talk, Gideon as a person and instructor is the real deal. I am constantly inspired to go harder, go faster, be stronger.

And I am not the only person to think Gideon is the best thing since sliced bread protein: he is in the running to be Men’s Health Magazine’s Next Top Trainer! While us Chicagoans are lucky to have him at our fingertips for an elite level fitness push, Gideon’s contagious energy deserves go to global so everyone can “Get Fit with Giddy”. Check out his video for a few great workout moves, vote for him here and if you have a chance to grab a class of his at Flywheel or Shred, trust me…you don’t be disappointed.

ClassPass Chicago + a Giveaway!

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Hi, my name is Nina and I am a workout jumper arounder.

Let me elaborate: being active and working out is a huge part of what keeps me feeling healthy and balanced. A good sweat is my favorite way to start a day, end a day, work through ideas/troubles/stress and…I am about as loyal to specific workouts as Tiger Woods was to his wife. I love Flywheel, Pure Barre was my jam before the wedding (lift/tone/burn, baby!), there are so many great yoga studios in town, and don’t get me started on my love for Exhale Spa.

And, spoiler alert, belonging to every single one of those studios would cost approximately a million dollars.

Enter ClassPass, a monthly membership that gets you into the best boutique fitness facilities in Chicago for $99. All of the studios I mentioned are fair game plus Moksha, PilatesProWorks, Sweat on State and more. You get unlimited classes, can go to each studio up to 3 times and it costs less than a gym membership. AND you won’t get stuck in a workout rut because you’ll be mixing it up so often.

I went to a Core Fusion class at Exhale last night for the Chicago launch of ClassPass and it reminded me why I love working out- packed class, killer instructor, good energy. I am stoked about ClassPass because I think you should have access to sweat where you want to, when you want to. It’s what I want and it’s awesome that ClassPass is making it happen.

In celebration of sweating all over town, I want to gift one of you a month ClassPass so you can try it for yourself! Leave a comment below and tell me your favorite way to sweat. I will choose a winner at random by 5pm on Friday.

Happy sweating, all!

On My Radar This Weekend

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Dose Market: a year-round, once a month market celebrating the best in Chicago fashion, gourmet food and design.  Highlights include a spread from Hot Chocolate, Bodkin’s Fall line, and a “Bubby Fizz” cocktail (sparkling wine, botanical liquer, OJ and mint). Sunday, 10am-4pm at The River East Art Center

FlyWheel: I checked out this new spin studio in the Gold Coast tonight and LOVED it.  State of the art bikes, great music and an instructor with arms that rival Madonna’s.  It’s a sexy workout, if you will- kind of like being in a club.  But sober. I totally get why FlyWheel is so huge in the Big Apple.  710 N. State Street

Rock N Roll Half Marathon: If you’re near Grant Park, you’ll notice a few thousand runners hitting the pavement at 6:30am on Sunday in the pursuit of 13.1 miles.  Stop and cheer- it makes the miles go faster.

Pinkberry:  Word on the street is that the Salted Caramel is amazing so I think this is finally the weekend that I get my frozen yogurt on. 635 N. State Street