The name in itself 305 is the area code in Miami where this “rave-meets-workout” was inspired. ((305)) Fitness is a dance cardio workout that started on the East Coast but is now sweeping the nation with their pop-up classes.

You might ask, what is ((305)) Fitness? ((305)) Fitness infuses dance moves, sports drills as well as high intensity interval training (HIIT) which creates a full body workout that will make you want to come back for more. This fun dance club style class features a live DJ as well as New York’s Best Instructors. This one hour non-stop cardio class feels like a night out dancing and partying with your friends. Through this high energy and fun loving class you can burn over 800 calories.

Another question you make ask is, “How can I join in on the fun in Chicago?” ((305)) Fitness is always looking for new places to plan their next non-stop cardio party. They have popped up in Chicago this week (May 10, 2015) and are here all week. Classes go from Sunday May 10 through Thursday May 14. Classes will be held Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday at 7 a.m. at Lakeshore Sport & Fitness located at 211 North Stetson Ave. Chicago, IL 60601.

The lovely instructor teaching the class in Chicago this week is founder Sadie Kurzban. This 25 year old “ball of energy” is a founder and the brilliance behind ((305)) Fitness. Her positivity and high energy is what makes this class so enjoyable. She inspires her class to have fun and work hard. Through her sense of humor and easy going attitude she pushes her classes to use her motto, “Go big or go home.” From taking her class you can expect explosive energy, lots of jokes and plenty of sweet dance movies. ((305)) Fitness is located in New York City, Montauk and Washington D.C. They also have popup experiences throughout the country. To find a popup class near you visit www.305fitness.com.

Photos courtesy of ((305 Fitness))

Around this time of year, everyone has holiday parties, birthdays, or something they want to look good for. Whether it’s just to improve allover health or to be able to wear that sparkly holiday dress and heels, everyone has a reason to want to get fit. Instead of doing the same old thing at the gym, running on the treadmill and trying to exhaust yourself only to lose a few measly pounds, here are some classes that help you to not only look better but also feel better. With their positive reinforcement, great attitudes and top trainers, these classes are great ways to change up your workout.

1. Core Fusion Extreme – Exhale Chicago

This new and exciting class at Exhale Chicago helps to rev up your metabolism and build your strength as you move through 6 power stations. The hour long class is comprised of high intensity interval training followed by active recovery. This class not only helps you abolish fat, but makes you feel powerful and empowered in the process. The trainers and instructors in the class are always there to push you through positive reinforcement and helping you become a stronger you. For more information on this and other classes as well as other services offered at Exhale Chicago call 312-753-6500 or visit www.chicago.exhalespa.com.

2. The Vixen Workout Chicago

This is an intense hip-hop cardio fitness class which is inspired by your favorite artists as well as the Miami night life scene. This is the only women’s dance workout which delivers easy to learn combinations, providing a unique experience. With their full body workout, each vixen workout has a fun atmosphere. It combines intense muscle toning movements hidden by choreography as well as loud music and lots of fun. Check out The Vixen Workout on their website for location information as the classes change venues around Chicago weekly.

3. X-It Interval Training

This is an hour long high intensity class, held at X-Sport Fitness, that is very adaptable to each person that joins. Through the use of heart rate monitors, each participant is able to reach and maintain their maximum heart rate of 85%. This allows your body to burn calories and fat for up to 36 hours after the class. About every 3 weeks the class changes so each person is always on their toes. At X-Sport Fitness the top personal trainers are handpicked and certified to run the X-It Interval Training Program. The class is in a group setting but still personalized to every participant with the heart rate monitors and workout modifications. There are several X-It Classes throughout the week that can fit your schedule either during the day, afternoon or night. X-It Training is available at several X-Sport locations throughout the Chicagoland area. To find more information on X-It Interval Training or to go in and try a free class visit www.xsportfitness.com/xit.

Whether you are looking for something new to do during the week or a complete lifestyle change, these three classes are great ways to start.

Chicago offers an array of workouts, so you’re certain to always have a new studio or class to get your blood pumping. With ClassPass, you can experience up to 10 unique classes a month at Chicago fitness studios. Read our review of ClassPass here.

The Chicago Lifestyle had the chance to check out some of studios ClassPass offers and provide our recommendations.

Exhale Chicago

945 N. State (Gold Coast)

Class: Core Fusion

Soreness Factor: 2/5

Uniqueness Factor: 3/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Exhale provides a serene backdrop, making you feel like you’re getting in a quick workout on a spa retreat. That’s not to minimize the fact that you’re actually getting a good workout – muscles were wavering as pliés and squats pushed us to the limit. Part yoga, part barre with a splash of cardio and light weights, the Core Fusion class offered a varied workout within 60 minutes’ time. The class ended with a few stretches and the calm-inducing Shavasana yoga pose. The staff was extremely friendly and spa locker rooms made for a great experience at Exhale.

Core Fitness Chicago

1030 W. North Ave. (Lincoln Park)

Class: Train Like Jane

Soreness Factor: 5/5

Uniqueness Factor: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Core Fitness’s Train Like Jane class (and its male counterpart class, Primal) are some of the most unique classes in the city (while not categorized as CrossFit, the hard-core nature of the workout comes close). Designed to work your body in the primal nature of the cave man days, the class involves a circuit of heavy lifting (weighted squats and bicep curls), chin-ups, body weight planks and Bosu ball squats. The unique factor comes in with equipment worthy of military training or football practice – tire flips, sled pulls and hurling sandbags. Run by a boot camp instructor over loud motivating music, the class works all kinds of muscles in ways you don’t normally accomplish at the gym. Located on the 3^rd floor of a storage and office building, the fitness room is small but mighty. You will definitely leave this workout with sore muscles!

Kick@55 Fitness

820 N. Orleans (in Hifi Fitness) (Near North)

Class: Bootcamp

Soreness Factor: 4/5

Uniqueness Factor: 3/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Run by certified personal trainer Rebecca Gahan, Kick@55 fitness takes over a studio in the humongous (40,000 square feet) Hifi Fitness, a facility dedicated to personal training and personal trainer-run classes. Using fast, fun and intense exercise circuits, Rebecca pushes class members to the max. Prepare to get sweaty while burning hundreds of calories with weights, short sprints, jump ropes, body weight exercises and more. Quick variety and upbeat music make the time speed by, and if you’re lucky (and weather allows), Rebecca may end the class with an outdoor workout. Partner activities build camaraderie within the class and offer that extra push of motivation. You’ll feel super-charged to take on the day after taking Rebecca’s Kick@55 bootcamp.

Shred415

Studios in Old Town, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, South Loop and North Shore

Class: Total Body

Soreness Factor: 4/5

Uniqueness Factor: 3/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Dubbed “415” by the setup of four intervals of 15 minutes each, Shred415 is not for the faint of heart. The fast-moving class guides you through two sets of intervals on the treadmill and two sets of intervals with weights, benches and body weight exercises on the floor. While treadmills may not sound the most exciting, the alternation of sprints with slower-paced running allows you to get a good cardio workout in a small amount of space. The workout allows you to go at your own pace, while encouraging you to push yourself to maximize your time. Floor exercises use dumbbells and a step-up bench to add variety. The studio is kept very dark during the class, so you don’t worry about anyone else’s progress but your own – but it’s a little too dark to run comfortably on the treadmill. Once you get used to the dim lighting the DJ jams will carry you through the rest of class.

CrossTown Fitness

1031 W. Madison (West Loop)

Class: Total Body

Soreness Factor: 4/5

Uniqueness Factor: 3/5

Would Recommend: Yes

After being greeted by a super friendly staff, you’ll find your spot on the floor, which is small but accommodates a lot of people. The instructor sections the group into small teams, who each take on a spot in the rotating circuit. The circuits cover everything from step-ups with biceps curls to treadmill sprints to throwing medicine balls at the exposed brick wall. In between each station there is a cardio burst – jumping jacks, burpees or similar exercises. This keeps the blood pumping and allows for minimal rest to keep calorie burn high. While there aren’t locker rooms in the studio, there are several health food options available up front, and a few tables to enjoy your food outside. Featuring over 100 weekly classes and well-known trainers, CrossTown Fitness offers something for everyone.

Go Cycle

525 W. North Ave. (Old Town)

Class: TRX Training

Soreness Factor: 3/5

Uniqueness Factor: 4/5

Would Recommend: Yes

While Go Cycle is most known for its spin studio, they offer spin classes paired with yoga, core sculpting or weights, as well as dedicated TRX classes. If you’re not familiar with TRX, it’s a set of body weight exercises using suspension straps. The straps are secured to the ceiling and have handles at the end, and can be adjusted to different lengths. TRX exercises can work all parts of the body, most notably the arms and core. The instructor set up each exercise in 30-20-10 second timing – start with 30 seconds at moderate difficulty, change your stance to make it slightly difficult for the next 20 seconds, and even more difficult for the last 10. Go Cycle’s TRX class is 45 minutes, which blew by! There weren’t many people in the class which made for dedicated help and instruction. While this is a great class for those familiar with TRX exercises and form, the instructor is patient and will show you the ropes if you’re new to TRX.

AIR Aerial Fitness

Studios in Lincoln Park, River North and Streeterville (coming soon)

Class: AIR Foundation

Soreness Factor: 1/5

Uniqueness Factor: 5/5

Would Recommend: No

You’ve seen pictures of acrobatic aerial yoga poses, thinking, I can do that too! While it seems cool in theory, aerial yoga is quite difficult (more so logistically than athletic ability). The “ropes” you hang from are actually large silken sheets, strong enough to hold your body weight (I couldn’t find a published weight limit). You’re required to start with the AIR Foundation before moving up to their more advanced classes, to get you used to working with the sheets and positioning yourself correctly. In the first move we did (the most interesting), the sheet is spread out and you climb in to lay down, your body expanding the whole length of the sheet, as if you are in a cocoon. If we could have stayed in this position the whole class it would have been great! For the remaining poses, the sheet is twisted up so it looks more like a rope. You’ll lean over the rope, resting it on your pelvis, to go into a downward dog pose. In addition to the mental hurdle of having the sheet hold all your body weight, this position is actually a bit painful. As the starting point for many of the poses, it made for an uncomfortable class. While expertise and comfort can be built over many classes, it was challenging for a first-timer.

With ClassPass, the adventures are endless, and the variety of the studios incredible. What are your favorite studios in Chicago?

{ClassPass membership was provided gratis for The Chicago Lifestyle to try these classes. All content, images and opinions are from The Chicago Lifestyle}

You’ve heard about the dance-club worthy spin classes Flywheel, the calorie-torching intervals at Shred415, and the acrobatic aerial yoga classes at AIR Fitness. So many unique studios in Chicago, yet how can you visit all of them? Whether you’re stuck in a gym rut or trying to start a new healthy routine, you have plenty of fitness studio options across Chicago – but cost is often the limiting factor. Enter ClassPass – a membership-based pass that gets you into these boutique studios each month, for a lower price.

ClassPass, which just recently launched in Chicago, helps you experience up to 10 great studios a month, up to three times per studio. For $99 a month, you can take advantage of classes which typically run about $25 per drop-in session. Ten of these classes would cost you about $250, and ClassPass lets you in for a fraction of the price. With coverage all over the city, and even some studios in suburbs such as Evanston, ClassPass is accepted at almost 80 studios, ranging from Pilates to CrossFit to barre classes. This is the perfect solution for those who get bored attending the same classes over and over and need variety to keep up their workout motivation.

So many studios, so little time! ClassPass makes it simple to find the best studios and classes to fit your schedule. Rather than signing up on each studio’s site, users access the scheduling system through ClassPass’s site. With filters to help you narrow down neighborhood, date and class time, it’s simple to find what you’re looking for. Key information such as a description of the studio, the specific classes and a map are provided. Simply sign up, up to a week in advance, and have the chance to cancel if you need to – just make sure to do so with enough advance notice or you’ll be charged $20 for missing the class.

The Chicago Lifestyle had the chance to check out some of studios ClassPass offers – stay tuned next week for a review of the top studios!

{ClassPass membership was provided gratis for The Chicago Lifestyle to try these classes. All content, images and opinions are from The Chicago Lifestyle}