PHYS ED
“Let’s have some fun out there!”
— Softball, volleyball and tennis
Chicago Sports Monster (773-866-2955, sportsmonster.net) and Chicago Sport and Social Club (chicagosportandsocialclub.com, 312-335-9596) host softball and volleyball leagues throughout the summer in various city parks. Newcomers to the games can enroll in tutorials. Chicago Sport and Social Club hosts seven-week volleyball clinics that cost $100. The Midtown Tennis Club ($105, 2020 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-235-2300. midtownclubs.com/illinois/Chicago) offers its Tennis In No Time classes.
— Workout
One of the latest fitness trends is rooted in the past–a workout based on the blockbuster movie “300.” It employs techniques the actors used to bulk up for their roles as Spartan warriors, and it emphasizes whole-body maneuvers rather than targeting certain muscles. “We have clients work toward a 300 test day,” explains Robert Garza, owner of Fitness Performance Center. “They will perform 300 repetitions in a workout routine that they’ve trained with for 8 to 12 weeks.” 151 S. Pfingsten Rd., Deerfield, 847-562-4386.
Fast-forward a few thousand years to the rise of kettlebells, rounded weights first used in Eastern Europe by military trainers. Kettlebell workouts at gyms like HiFi Personal Fitness are decidedly old school, though trainer Arturas Kolgovas believes the grueling workout is the future of fitness. 1030 W. North Ave., 312-751-1224. hififitness.com
— Dance
Thankfully for some of us, dance lessons aren’t a normal part of high school physical education classes. But a little shimmying can complement a fitness regimen. For something on the passionate side, try the American Spanish Dance Festival at Northeastern Illinois University Dance Studios, where classes are offered in flamenco, neo-classical and other styles. 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., June 9-24; $30. 773-442-5916.
— Swimming
Swimming in the shadows of skyscrapers is both inspiring and daunting; Lake Michigan ain’t exactly a little swimming hole. But the guys and gals with the Chicago Masters swimming club (chicagomasters.com) take full advantage of our third coast. “Swimming in Lake Michigan you have to be aware of waves and you have to learn how to sight so you’re not zigzagging all over,” says Chris Sheean, who coordinates the group’s Big Shoulders Open Water Swim Classic on Sept. 8. Members of the Chicago Masters battle the waves at the Ohio Street Beach at 8 a.m. on Saturday mornings.
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NIGHT MOVES
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THE DANCE LESSON is one form of continuing education that’s pure fun, and every year there’s free, outdoor instruction–accompanied by live music–at the increasingly popular Chicago SummerDance enterprise.
Now in its 11th outing, set to run June 14-Aug. 26 in Grant Park at 601 S. Michigan Ave., SummerDance explores a world music theme from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays; jazz, Latin, country and funk from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and ballroom and big band 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. The one-hour lessons are followed by two hours of dancing.
This year, there are plans for a series of contests partly inspired by the burgeoning dance competitions on TV. For more info, call the SummerDance hot line: 312-742-4007.
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Catch video about ‘300’- inspired workouts at chicago tribune.com/summer pleasures
COMPILED BY CHRIS MCNAMARA, CHRISTINE BADOWSKI, KELLY AIGLON AND KRISTIN KLOBERDANZ.