We'd like to know what exercises you'd like to learn on this month's Social Challenge. Is it how to do the perfect burpee or a sumo-stance kettlebell deadlift? Take our poll on Facebook each Monday!

There are many different opinions on just how much water you should be drinking every day. One thing we do know is, water is essential to good health. Are you getting enough? Let’s see if we can help you find out.

Offered six days a week at multiple times at our Chesterton location, LES MILLS BODYPUMP can be the basis of your personal health plan. Find out about the benefits of including BODYPUMP in your workout schedule.

Our convenient neighborhood location offers many medical services of which you may not be aware. Here is a guide to what is in our building and how to reach out to them when you feel the need.

We can all agree that fitness goals and challenges are great ways to help us keep going so join us for our July Step It Up Challenge!

Do you play Pickleball?  All levels, all ages, all abilities are playing! The important thing is, you don't have to be an athlete to get out there and have fun. It's the perfect way to meet and make new friends here in the Club.

Help the kids kick off the school year well prepared with our Back-to-School Drive. Donate items to help kids fill their backpacks with much needed supplies. Your generous donations are always appreciated!

Flex your mental muscle and solve the riddles we post on our Social pages every week for the month of July. 

We introduced this idea at the beginning of the pandemic but with the kids out of school and the weather heating up, it's a great way to take a few minutes to get your heart rate up and have some fun while you are doing it!  

So happy for these bright, sunshine-filled summer days? Start protecting your skin TODAY from the sun - it can cause damage that won't be seen for years. 

 In addition to being delicious, this little fruit packs a big nutritional punch. Whether fresh or frozen, blueberries protect against heart disease, improve bone health, encourage blood circulation, and help control blood sugar levels. Discover 10 health benefits of blueberries you may not already know...

Whether you are a pro or just a beginner, Yoga has something for everyone. Both Clubs offer free Yoga classes multiple times each week and we invite you to join us for a weekly meme/hashtag countdown to National Yoga Day – June 21st! 

If you workout alone, you're missing a great opportunity to get more motivated, spend time with like-minded fitness friends and recharge your social battery while you stay fit!

Once a self-massage technique used only by professional athletes, coaches, and therapists; foam rolling is now an everyday practice for people at all levels of fitness.

As a Fitness Center, we know how important movement is to overall health. Learning to move and exercise in water can become a tool to assist with maintaining health for a lifetime. We are proud to be an accredited American Red Cross Learn to Swim Provider.

Here are the dates of our upcoming blood drives and a convenient link to make your appointment. Thank you in advance - we greatly appreciate the time and efforts of our donors in helping us fill this critical need in our community. 

Self care during pregnancy is as important as caring for your baby because a happy mom has a happy baby and family. Take some time out of each day to try out these simple ways to practice self-care during and after pregnancy.

For the month of May we have a fun little competition for everyone. Grab your Myzone belts and rack up as many MEPS as you can. 

After a 2 year hiatus due to COVID-19, our Firecracker 5k is back! This CRS Series Gold Cup Race is a flat course that goes through our beautiful neighboring subdivision and can't be beat. Join us!

Did a post of ours "speak" to you? Is an article on our page on a topic that you and a friend recently discussed? Share a social media post from our page to yours and be entered to win our monthly social challenge raffle!

We have a great reason for you to get a jump on your spring cleaning - a Changing Footprints SHOE DRIVE! Bring in your last year's castoffs, the ones your kids have outgrown, your smelly old athletic shoes, sandals, boots, shoes - we'll take them all and put them to good use!!

This course will prepare you to become one of the most capable, trusted and in-demand sitters in your neighborhood. Start your babysitting business on the right foot and learn how to be a safe, professional and reliable sitter.

National Medical Fitness Week MOVE150 Challenge encourages us to be physically active at least 150 minutes per week. Simply pick up a MOVE150 card at the Chesterton Service Desk and get moving. 

Our Member Apreciation Days have some surprises in store - plan to spend some time with us on April 25th & 26th! The classes that will be offered are the regular group exercise classes -check the online schedule for times. 

What’s all the excitement? Have you seen our Myzone Leader board? It is a ranking of the Top 20 participants for the most MEPs earned in the month. Are you on the board? 

What's your favorite guilt-free snack? Share your family's favorite healthy recipe with us for a chance to win a prize this month!

This month both clubs will be hosting a Group Exercise Calendar Challenge. Any class counts towards the challenge: in person or virtual, but only 1 class per day goes towards your total. Do you have a Myzone belt? This is a great way to amp up your MEPs this month!

With bathing suit weather quickly approaching, we took the opportunity to sit down with our own Andrew Main, Fitness Supervisor, to ask a few questions about a workout option that may help you get in shape for summer. 

Here's a perfect way to spend an evening outside with your kids and celebrate Easter with other Members and their families! Please register at the Service Desk.

Just like humans, exercise benefits our pups in so many healthy ways – from their hearts to their brains. With training for them and self-discipline for us, your pet can turn out to be your best workout buddy!

Can your inactivity be contributing to chronic disease? There are many causes of chronic diseases and lack of movement is a factor in them. Don’t let inactivity sneak up on you and create bigger issues.

Charge up your MyZone belt, grab your people and get ready for another challenge. Let’s see which generation has what it takes to be the front runner this month. 

FREE Featured Events like three great presentations, an opportunity to join us on a community walk and more! Team Training sessions, Group Exercise and Virtual classes are all open to all. What a great day we have planned! Join us!

We are here to help you continue those New Year’s Resolutions with a social media challenge because we would LOVE to help make showing up to the gym more fun and rewarding!

Flowers, candy and sappy greeting cards are all the rage this month but since February is also American Heart Month, it's a good time to take stock of what you are doing to keep your heart healthy.

We appreciate all of you so much and a big thank you for braving the cold and snow to come in. You are the reason we are here 364 days a year and we are grateful for each and every one of you. For the month of February, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we are asking you to “Share your Love for FHFC” and tell us how we’re doing.

With seven sports - biathlon, bobsled, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing - and a record number of 109 events across 15 disciplines, there is a lot of excitement building around the 2022 Winter Olympics! Here is some background information about the Olympics that you might not know and a great way to inspire your own workout.

Now there's even more reason to get out and get moving, even moderately. Your brain (and your heart and lungs) will thank you. 

Many of us are starting our year off with new fitness goals and nothing stops a new workout regimen faster than a strain, sprain or tear. What is the difference between them, how do you treat them and what can you do to prevent these injuries?

This Myzone challenge will give you a jump start to a great year and help you be even more successful throughout the next 12 months.

What do you use “sticky notes” or Post-It notes for in your household? A reminder on your steering wheel to pick up bread and milk? Love notes in your kid’s lunches? As a honey-do list for your hubby? For the second year in a row, we’d like to help you change it up and use them to do something for yourself!  

Our Members ROCK! From donations of blood all the way to shoes drives, Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Chesterton is dedicated to helping the community and others in need.

Be ready to act! Take one of many American Heart Association CPR/AED classes offered at our Chesterton location. Sign up today!

The Holidays are here, meaning you’re in the middle of the holiday celebration season that often spells doom for your health and fitness plan. So, lets change the narrative and focus on celebrating with friends and family while simultaneously enjoying the sensation of living in a body that’s healthy.

Exercise may even help you feel better by opening your nasal passages and temporarily relieving nasal congestion.

With the Coronavirus continuing to spread across the world, it's easy to feel helpless in such an unprecedented time. But there are some precautions we can make for our health that are in our control. Here are 11 great tips for your optimal health.

Balance is something that everyone takes for granted until they lose it. It is important in more ways than some people may think. 

Let’s finish the year off strong with a weight loss challenge! This November, compete against other members in a 4-week long weight loss competition! 

It is important to try and make time for the things that matter to us. Spending time with our loved ones, enjoying a meal together, allowing ourselves the luxury of sitting quietly savoring our surroundings, reading a book or getting creative. At times these things may all feel like distant memories.

Knowing what to eat before and after exercise can be a minefield. We are all individuals and what makes us thrive is dependent on our many unique factors. Trying different options, listening to our bodies and finding what is right for us is key to feeling energized and getting the most out of our workouts.

Vitamin D has been considered an important nutrient for many years. Recently, there has been a lot of research into it due to its possible role in protecting people from the effects of COVID-19. 

How do we know if we are overtraining and what are the dangers associated with it? Here are some great tips on how to prevent overtraining during your daily routine.

Which type of yogurt is your family’s “go-to”? Even with so many flavor, texture and brand choices, one thing is clear – yogurt is good for you!

How are your Brain and Your Heart Connected?

Is there anything more refreshing than the smell and taste of a freshly squeezed lemon? Used for everything from cooking to cleaning, lemons can also be used to give drinks more flavor. 

Crossroads YMCA and Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville are excited to announce a collaboration between the two organizations to serve more families in Northwest Indiana. 

With hot weather here and everyone trying to spend more time outdoors before school starts, we felt it was a good time for a water safety reminder. 

The added sugars in the foods we are eating can turn a normally healthy food into a not so healthy food! Added sugars are different than sugars from fruits and dairy products, because added sugars are added to our food and come with calories, but minimal nutrition. The nutrition facts label is changing, and the new label will list total sugars and added sugars, so you know how much is natural versus added. 

 They can help us lower our calorie intake and reduce our risk of heart disease, stroke and protect us from certain cancers when eaten as part of an overall healthy diet. It is important to find fruits and vegetables we enjoy and eat a variety, because each fruit and vegetable has a unique nutritional profile.

Why eat whole grains? Whole grains are packed with nutrients like protein, fiber, B vitamins, antioxidants, phytochemicals and minerals. 

Why meal plan? Meal planning is a great place to start improving your food choices. When we plan out our week and make healthy foods and recipes available and ready to eat when we are hungry, it can help us avoid the fast-food line, and it can improve our overall diet quality. 

It is summertime, so you know what that means? A fruit favorite is back in stores and comes with a lot of benefits of consuming it. What is this fruit you might ask?

Hard-core exercising may not be at the top of your to-do list; however, water aerobic exercises with their low-impact, gentle-on-your-joints benefits offer a great alternative to traditional exercise at a gym.

The pandemic has caused changes in the lifestyles of people worldwide. With the influx of questions has come a surge of funding and research opportunities to find answers. One area of focus has been the severity and recovery of those who have survived COVID in respect to their exercise habits.  

Whether you are young or old, overweight or fit, yoga has the power to calm the mind and strengthen the body. We offer Yoga on our Group Exercise Schedule at no additional cost at both Clubs. Come join us.

Fruit and vegetables have been in our diet for the entirety of human history. We eat them raw, cooked, chilled and frozen – in ever increasingly creative combinations. And we're always trying to find new ways to incorporate more fruits and veggies into our daily diet.

Gym etiquette is nothing more than respect. Respect for the equipment, others, and yourself in the gym. Everybody's there for the same reason, and nobody wants to be distracted or held up. 

Wearable three ways, you can simply switch between the chest belt, wrist strap and arm band, depending on your choice of physical activity.

Whether you have been recently diagnosed or are currently living with diabetes mellitus,it is important that you understand how you can live a healthier life. 

Meditation is a mind and body practice that has a long history of use for increasing calmness and physical relaxation, improving psychological balance, coping with illness and enhancing overall health and well-being. 

This past year has given our Community many opportunities to come together and support each other. One-way the Duneland Community has demonstrated this was it’s continuing dedication to donate blood.

There is something to be said about the power of working out in a group, but what is it about exercising with others that motivates us? Exercising With A Group Can Take Your Workouts Up A Notch.

Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 13th, 2022. How can it affect your moods, productivity, health, sleep and other aspects of everyday life?

So how does caffeine affect exercise? Caffeine, a very commonly used stimulant during exercise, walks a fine line between beneficial and detrimental to your workout.

If you have yet to try the rapidly growing fitness phenomenon Barre (pronounced BAR), you are probably in for a big surprise.  Barre is now offered at no additional charge at our Chesterton Location.

Trainers are always talking about the importance of core strength. Here is what you need to know about why core strength is so important.

Cardiovascular exercise or "cardio" is the most important physical activity you can do to keep your heart, lungs, and circulatory system healthy while also improving your overall fitness. 

The greatest escape you can take without leaving the room

Of all the lifestyle changes that have been studied, regular physical exercise appears to be one of the best things that you can do to reduce your risk of getting dementia.

As the New Year begins and you find yourself working on the “New You”, remember the old saying, “You are what you eat.” If you pay close attention to what you are eating and drinking, you will get even better results.

If you like to dance like no one’s watching, Zumba might just be for you! The Latin-inspired dance workout is one of the most popular group exercise classes in the world. 

Being aware of your risk factors and making healthy choices puts your future in your own hands.

Every year there plenty of opportunities to help the less fortunate and 2020 is no different. Here are just a few ways you can easily contribute to your community.

We have made it through 2020…well almost! 

What you do in the morning contributes greatly to the tone of your day.

Don’t Let the Pandemic Stop You! Working up a sweat and staying healthy.

Looking for a fitness program that doesn’t involve a gruesome workout on a treadmill? Aqua aerobics is a wonderful all-over body workout and a great way to mix up a traditional gym workout with the fantastic benefits of water.  

The Chicago Heights Club will be switching both the lap and therapy pools to salt water in the next month. Within the last five years, the Chesterton and Schererville pools have all been converted to salt water. Members have been happy with the differences the conversion made. 

Joseph Pilates, the creator of the worldly popular Pilates exercises once stated, “Developing minor muscles naturally helps to strengthen major muscles.” 

How much water is enough? Drinking water before you exercise or go out into the sun is an important first step.

As more of us continue to work from home, we're likely to find ourseves sitting for prolonged periods of times. Take 30 seconds to feel better. Avoid the health risks of sedentary behavior. 

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. It is important to understand what options we have to stay healthy. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases has the Top 10 reasons of why getting vaccinated is important. National Immunization Awareness Month. Learn the top reasons to get vaccinated. 

Have you ever noticed how music affects not only your mood but also the pace at which you do things? What music can help you do isn’t just in your head – there’s scientific proof of what it does for your workout. 

Do you know the signs and risks of having AFib? Here is what to look for and what occurs with AFib.  September is National Atrial Fibrillation Month 

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the minimum amount of exercise you need is 150 minutes per week and it should include Cardio, Strength and Flexibility training.

The first wealth is health according to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Regular exercise is one of the foundations of healthy living. Just like a healthy diet, exercise adds to good health and to a healthy immune system.

The best form of exercise is one you can do regularly. Adding interest to boring cardio is as easy as adding intervals! Interval training is simply adding alternating bursts of more intense activity with intervals of less intense activity (recovery). 

Getting muscle strength back with weight machines. It’s time to rebuild your muscles and the best way to do that is to start out with some resistance training. Resistance training is a form of exercise that improves muscular strength and endurance.  

Awareness. Prevention. Education. Health Information for You and Your Loved One. We strive to be the leading wellness resource for individuals looking to live a healthy lifestyle.

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, working from home has been the case for most people. After sitting in a chair for your long work day, you probably want to get out of it as fast as you can, but a chair is a great tool to use to help you stretch.

If you are an older adult looking to establish an exercise routine, you should, ideally, be able to incorporate 150 minutes of moderate endurance activity into your week.

Not every participant in the group has to have the same physical activity level. The job of the Personal Trainer is to work with each participant’s physical needs to help make the group successful.

There may be a lot of unknown currently in the world, however what is known is that practicing these 7 tips can help you stay healthy during quarantine. Be sure to check the website for updates! 

Stay active while staying protected at home. One of those being our Group Exercise Class at Home Workouts that have been recorded with our Franciscan Health Fitness Centers certified instructors! 

While keeping staff both working and safe, the fitness center staff has been supporting the local Franciscan Hospitals by making much needed PPE.

This great workout video will lengthen and strengthen your muscles and as well as your core. This home workout for women will improve your posture and your flexibility.

A variety of equipment will be used to tone and tighten the abs and lower body and will tighten all those trouble spots. Exercise wherever you are, on any device.

Join this fast-paced cardio class that includes simple step exercises along with weights, intervals, and calisthenics. This workout video will get your heart rate up and your body in gear.

Here is a low impact workout video designed for the young at heart who are wanting to workout at home. It includes exercises to improve aerobic fitness and burn body fat.

This workout video will improve your strength, balance, flexibility and even help the way you walk. Elevate your endurance & stability in the comfort of your own home on any device.

This high energy dance class uses motivating music with unique moves that let you leave your worries behind. Zumba’s exciting, easy to follow dance video can be enjoyed anywhere, on any device.

As our lifestyles and daily habits change during the COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place, kindness to each other is not only easy to practice, it’s even more important than ever. 

Training from home has benefits you may have overlooked with new options including LesMills Virtual workouts videos, online exercise classes, Myzone Master Trainer classes and Franciscan’s own trainer videos of the classes you love. 

Here’s a fun at-home workout that uses simple products you have on hand. Shelter-in-place doesn’t have to mean stay-in-place. Get up and get moving with this core and strength workout from Lisa. 

Do you know what affects the health of your bones?  And that basic self-care for your bones should include strength training? We have plenty of options for you to choose from in our on-line At Home Workouts. 

March is National Nutrition Month but your body needs good eating habits year-round. Try to incorporate these healthy eating tips so you can lead by example when it comes to your family’s nutrition.

Make your meals healthier by swapping ingredients and lowering your calorie/fat intake with these easy tips. Don’t forget to include these healthy choices on your next grocery list! 

Learn the American Heart Association’s 7 key health factors and behaviors to decrease your risk for heart disease and stroke. Find out how to keep your heart healthy. 

Massage helps alleviate stress and the symptoms of many health conditions. Whether you need a Deep Tissue, Hot Stone or Ashiatsu Massage, we are here with options. Appointments are available in our Chesterton Club. 

We want to help you “Know your numbers” with a free fitness assessment for all members. This is the first step to a results-oriented program that will get you on the road to better health! 

Handwashing is a vital part of our everyday lives, but is even more important during certain times of year, like cold and flu season. But proper handwashing is not just for the winter months – it's a year-round good habit. 

Wearable Technology provides accountability and motivation. Rewards effort rather than level of fitness. 

15 years ago, Sandy Povlinski, an avid runner, began looking for a gentler way to exercise. We are happy her journey brought her to our Fitness Centers. 

Wondering how you can afford to eat a few pieces of holiday candy and not completely blow your eating plan out of the water? We have a few ideas of how you can indulge with less bulge!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Beginning at age 40, you should have a mammogram every year or as directed by your health care professional.

It never gets easier; You just keep getting better! Having a workout partner can mean the difference between success and failure when it comes to your fitness goals.

The purpose of Myzone is to use technology to help people exercise harder and smarter! Franciscan Health Fitness Centers have brought Myzone belts to group exercise classes and the results really show! 

Franciscan Health Fitness Centers personal training is now being powered by Alloy. Same amazing personal trainers paired with new programs to provide continuity and great results!

Technology is changing at a rate of knots, and so are the terms we use to explain it. These days the term virtual can mean, well, virtually anything. So what exactly is virtual exercise?

Studies that examined motivation to exercise or to lose weight have shown that the most enduring source of behavior change is internal motivation.  

Now that many New Year Resolutions have dissolved rather than resolved…..Let’s consider why New Year resolutions to lose weight and get in shape don’t work… 

How long have you been “working” on getting your workout routine in a place where you are getting the results you desire? If you’re like many, you experienced multiple attempts, all with great intention, but often fall short after a few attempts. You might be ready for a Personal Trainer …

We have heard the healthcare professionals tell us that we need to “know our numbers”. If someone told you that four basic numbers give you a snapshot of your health, and a road map for improving it, would you believe it? It's true, they do!

In the words of Ben Franklin, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” To improve your health and meet your nutrition and fitness goals, you must plan out what you will eat! Make a grocery list for the entire week and go shopping weekly. Plan out your meals and snacks the night before to ensure you stay on track.

Snacking is an effective way to fit extra nutrients into your diet and prevent overeating at mealtimes. Here are some important reasons to always get your snack in each day!

Changing your attitude about exercise will be the key to beginning your exercise program. While on the Biggest Loser Ranch, Courtney, my daughter and partner on the show, said something to me I will never forget…