Introducing #FridayFitness! Through the month of February we’ll be dedicating Fridays to fitness: Special offers from Chicago gyms for our email subscribers, workout tips from pro trainers, and more!

Like your thirties and the cold, callous claws of death, swimsuit season will be here before you know it. Speaking of death (weren’t we?), let’s talk about our health. As is the case every January, New Year’s resolutions, wedding engagements, and holiday feasts have left us with some serious fork-to-mouth regret. Not to fear. Aid has arrived! Like a team of fat chasing superheroes, the best gyms in Chicago are gearing up to get us in shape before the beach days of late spring. This month, fitness clubs are offering huge deals to non-members and current members and we’ve got your gym deals roundup below!

What’s better than having a team of fat chasing superheroes on your side? How ’bout a free giveaway from Chicagoings.com and the Fitness Formula Clubs to help remove the last excuse you might be nursing for not hitting the gym this winter? Read on!

The Best Gyms in Chicago: Special Offers, Competitions, and Challenges

Equinox

We’re focusing here on the three top gyms in Chicago, starting with Equinox.

Equinox is the gym most determined to kick your butt. It’s earned the reputation as the “scene to be seen”. Its programs are effective and its atmosphere is stylish. You may remember we covered the gym’s top-secret spin class in Wicker Park, last summer. A painfully fun time was had by all!

“If you haven’t noticed, Equinox gym is campaigning for a reputation as the most butt kicking, name taking, sweat wringing, heart-attack inducing gym in town. Its current campaign features chiseled bodied men and women streaking in the streets, biking in swimming pools, and soaking in ice baths all because “Equinox made [them] do it”. Work out 12 times in your first 30 days to earn back your initiation fee.” – from “#Lollaride finds the fun in getting funky”.

Here’s what they’re offering this month.

New Members

• Work out 12 times in your first 30 days to earn back your initiation fee.
• Offer ends 1/31/2015. Exclusions apply.
• For more info click here!
• Special Offer to all Chicagoings.com subscribers: Enjoy a one week Equinox Experience, including a one on one guided workout with a personal trainer.

FFC

Rooftop pools, juice and alcohol bars, spas, doctors, pools, and sun decks. No, it’s not a country club. It’s the gym. In 2013, FFC was named best gym by Chicago Magazine. Their classes are challenging, often brutal, but always fun. All nine facilities offer an immaculate workout oasis, which includes a few perks to motivate even the laziest couch potato.

Here’s what they’re offering this month.

New Members

• New members automatically receive four free personal training session
• Work out 36 times in first 90 days and receive a refund on your enrollment fee in the form of a FFC gift certificate.

Lose to Win

• January 19 – Feb 28
• Annual contest, Open to the public
• All participants receive a free technical shirt
• Complimentary activities/classes
• Weekly Weigh-ins: Attend weekly weigh-in for a chance to win FFC gift cards, local vendor gift certificates, and FFC services
• The male and female participant of each club with the highest percentage of weight loss will be entered into a raffle to win either 26 sessions, 12 sessions, 4 sessions of personal or Pilates training or a year of the Nutrition Solutions Program.
• Requirements: $49 for members; $99 for non-members; must weigh-in at the start of the program Monday, January 19^th and at the end of the program Saturday, February 28^th.
• For more info click here!

Results Guaranteed Promotion

• A new program designed to get you hooked on personal training; Open to the public
• Non-Members: Join in January, workout in the club at least 12 times in your first 30 days
• Members: Hire a trainer in January, purchase 8 personal training sessions, meet trainer twice a week and workout in the club an additional four times in 30 days.
• If you don’t see results, you can cancel your membership (for those previously non-members) and get a full refund.
• For more info click here!

Lakeshore Sport & Fitness

A club for those serious about putting in the work. For swimmers, it should probably be the first choice. Lakeshore offers state of the art equipment, a bright layout, clean facility, and a full, varied fitness program.

Here’s what they’re offering this month.

New Members

• Join for free in January 2015. Plus, receive $50 in club cash
• Get a free two-week guest pass until January 31^st

Indoor Triathlon

• Open to the public
• This Saturday, January 17^th at 8 a.m.
• Test your endurance by competing in a 300 yard swim, 5 mile bike ride, and 1.5 mile run
• Non-members receive a 2 week pass to Lakeshore Sport & Fitness
• All participants receive 10% off all challenge races throughout North America (exception Racho Cordova), PowerBar products, SBR Sports samples
• All participants receive a LSF Indoor Triathlon 2015 shirt
• Requirements: $40 per LSF member; $50 per non-member; must be at least 18 years old
• For more info contact Lara Mele at LaraM@lakeshoresf.com

To win a Chance to Lose to Win

1. Subscribe to Chicagoings.com weekly newsletter, if you haven’t already, by clicking here!
2. Using the same email address as your subscription, email Kari@Chicagoings.com telling us in one sentence why you’re getting fit this winter.
   One winner will be selected Sunday, January 18th at Noon and notified by email. Winner must provide info for club and show up to weigh-in on Monday!

There isn’t much time. Enter today and start getting fit now!