In my *gasp* fourth year writing this column, I can say one thing definitively: every year I try new workouts, someone has invented yet another way to torture my body. By `torture,’ I mean kicking my butt until it burns. Literally.
Here are some of the newest, best workouts I’ve found for you.
Studio Lagree
Locations in Lincoln Park and Highland Park
(847) 433-8658
Studio Lagree is like Pilates on steroids. Big, bad mega reformers are weighted with pulleys to create a total body workout in a mom-time-sensitive 50 minutes. Lagree tests your body with a core workout that is unforgiving, but super satisfying and body changing.
Go Row
525 W. North Ave., Chicago
(312) 878-4999
Go Row, a studio in Old Town, makes good use of the WaterRower–a rowing machine that uses water resistance just like on the lake–with an interval training class. Owner Emmy Rigali is motivational and tough. The timed training encourages you to compete in a friendly environment (I came in last in the rowing challenge and was still smiling).
Title Boxing Club
2417 N. Clark St., Chicago
(773) 327-7500
Title Boxing Club is a studio with boxing-only workouts that use real boxing techniques, but for people like me. (I’ll never be Laila Ali.) The upper body workout was second to none. If I were to go back, I’d look for a kickboxing class to get the leg burn with the arm fatigue.
Crosstown Fitness
Locations in Lakeview and West Loop
After a friend convinced me to try this bootcamp fitness studio, I nearly unfriended him after the third round of frog jumps. But at the end of the 50-minute cross training session, I felt energized and stronger. Each class throughout the day offers something different, so it’s impossible to get bored. It is one of the nicest of the new studios I tried, but fair warning, their “kid’s club” literally will fit just one kid. Better to go solo and get a babysitter.
