Book a session (April through October) and head to North Avenue Beach. Strap on your life preserver (or wet suit) and step into the lake for a 30-minute tutorial.
Great Lakes Board Company, 1600 North Lake Shore Drive (773-575-4787 or greatlakesboardcompany.com).
Stationary biking is far from stagnant at this high-tech exercise studio, where bikes are arranged amphitheater style and flat-screens display performance data.
Flywheel Sports Gold Coast, 710 North State Street, at Huron Street (312-624-8485 or chicago.flywheelsports.com).
One Hundred’s Awesome summer class kicks more ass than its name implies: Cardio dance is slyly mixed with free weights, bump-and-grind booty shaking, ab mania, and a pony or two.
One Hundred, 3619 North Broadway Street, at Patterson Avenue (773-857-1467 or onehundredfitness.com).
Go on and burn those calories at Chicago’s original spin studio. Try out Go Yo, 40 minutes of butt-kicking spin followed by 30 minutes of cool-down yoga.
Go Cycle, 501 West North Avenue, at North Cleveland Avenue (312-878-4999 or gocyclestudio.com).
After one of these classes (which focus on tiny muscle movements with light weights and a barre), you’ll be too sore to walk to the fridge.
The Dailey Method, 1714 North Damen Avenue, at West Saint Paul Avenue (773-904-8913 or thedaileymethod.com/chicago).
The indoor rowing studio forces flab into high gear with strenuous and sweaty boot camp-style instruction.
RowFit Chicago, 1455 West Hubbard Street, at North Bishop Street (773-474-7028 or rowfitchicago.com).
A focus on deep breathing takes Ashtanga to new levels of mind-clearing and body realignment.
Yogaview Division, 1745 West Division Street, at North Hermitage Avenue (773-384-5569 or yogaview.com).
To some people, pole dancing, hip twisting, and stripper shaking sounds like a workout. For others, it sounds like a fun weekend.
S Factor Chicago, 1400 West Hubbard Street, at Noble Street (312-492-7596 or sfactor.com).
You can’t go wrong with four studios, wood-sprung floors, and a range of classes that combine cardio and dance moves (hip-hop, jazz, ballet).
All About Dance, 501 West North Avenue, at Cleveland Avenue (773-572-8701 or allaboutdance.org).
This sleek Pilates studio, which caps class sizes at four or eight, is the only local spot that teaches the Fletcher method (moves are choreographed with breath patterns).
Helios Center for Movement, 2258 West Belmont Avenue, at Oakley Avenue (773-248-0920 or heliosmovement.com).
Hook up with a personal trainer for a one-on-one boxing session or work up a sweat in a karate class. Pining for the Precor? GoTime Chicago is stocked with quality cardio machines.
GoTime Chicago, 1601 South Morgan Street, at 16th Street (312-433-2333 or gotimechicago.com).
The former JABB boxing gym has Olympic hopefuls and trained professionals under its belt. Try a private lesson, group training, or hot box (we’re talking room temperature, silly) fighting class. All-out rumbles with friends can be arranged.
8 Count Boxing Gym, 410 North Oakley Boulevard, at West Anson Place, second floor (312-226-5800 or 8countboxinggym.com).
Flail, cartwheel, and booty shake with zero inhibition. A disco ball and iPod DJ set the party mood. Tunes are a mixed bag of pop, rock, and hip-hop.
Classes are held at Perceptual Motion Dance Studio, 4057 North Damen Avenue, at West Belle Plaine Avenue (773-549-3958 or perceptualmotiondance.com). For more information, go to ddppchicago.wordpress.com.
It’s a toasty studio, the better to help your body ease into power poses. Classes here are a combo of vinyasa, pranayama, and modern yogic principles.
TruHarmony Yoga, 900 North Franklin Street, between West Walton and West Locust Streets, suite 508 (312-643-8577 or truharmonyyoga.com).
The view is better from a flying trapeze, so let Belmont Harbor instructor Steve Hammes show you the ropes (including safety methods and nifty tricks). Classes are held May through October.
Trapeze School New York – Chicago, 3158 Lakefront Trail (773-484-8861 or chicago.trapezeschool.com).
How’s this for a breath of fresh air: Stephanie Turner’s West Loop Fitcamp mixes cardio and resistance training in outdoor sessions at Mary Bartelme Park. Classes are held May through October.
West Loop Fitcamp, Mary Bartelme Park, at South Peoria and West Adams Streets (312-523-3131 or trainingbysteph.com).
Fitness (Pilates, group classes) meets finesse (customized body treatments, killer massages of all kinds) at this 4,500-square-foot facility.
Soulistic Studio & Spa, 805 North Milwaukee Avenue, at Chicago Avenue, suite 200 (312-226-7685 or soulisticstudiospa.com).
Target the full body, or take classes focusing on back and shoulders, arms and abs, or butt and legs. Whichever you pick, you’re guaranteed to burn serious calories without being bored.
Shred415, 2156 North Clybourn Avenue, at Southport Avenue (773-360-8228 or shred415.com).
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