Many health and fitness resources are available for students and residents, both on and off campus.

Fitworkz

“We have toys the university doesn’t have,” said Ray Binkowski, owner of Fitworkz, 1690 Sycamore Road.

Binkowski said Fitworkz is the largest facility in town and can offer services for youths to professional athletes, as well as students and area residents.

The facility includes cardio machines and equipment, a separate free weights area, as well as a pilates studio and a variety of pilates classes, some of which are free to members. Fitworkz also has an Athletic Republic Studio, which features special equipment available to athletes.

Fitworkz also features certified personal trainers on staff, many of which are NIU or Kishwaukee Community College students or alumni. Binkowski himself attended NIU and many interns working there attend area schools as well.

Besides exercise equipment, the health club also has supplements, drinks and tanning oil available for purchase at discounted prices. In addition, massage therapy is available, priced hourly.

Fitworkz offers short term memberships, as well as one to two-year memberships with payment plans available. Tanning memberships are able to be purchased for members and non-members.
Binkowski said Fitworkz is designed in a way that different areas are separate and there is a non-intimidating environment so people will feel comfortable. Binkowski makes it a point to get to know many of the members.

“It’s a real “Cheers” environment,” Binkowski said. “The staff knows almost everybody.”

Fitworkz membership

1 year- $375 or $81 at first and $32/month for 1 year
2 year- $498 or $71 at first and $22/month for 2 years
Students-$20 to join, $20/month
Tanning-Unlimited
Members- $15/month
Non-members- $20/month


Cardinal Fitness

Cardinal Fitness, 720 Foxpointe Drive in Sycamore, is another option for off-campus exercise and health resources. The health club features a variety of exercise equipment as well as tanning beds and personal training options.

“We offer cardio, strength training, we have a stretching area, we have a wide variety of free weights,” said Lauren Pray, marketing consultant of Cardinal Fitness.

Pray said the gym is very family-oriented, and there is a supervised kids’ room available for parents to drop off their children while they exercise. The playroom includes a monthly cost besides membership and makes it easy for busy people to have time for their health.

“We try to make it easy for anyone to fit fitness into their lifestyle,” Pray said. “So families that are busy are able to come enjoy our facilities and use our locations at an affordable rate.”

In addition, Pray said membership rates are available for individuals, couples and families of three.

More information is posted on the Web site, cardinalfitness.com

Cardinal Fitness

Regular Joining Fee $99, $5 Special till Oct 20
$19.95/month-individuals, $31.95/month-couples, $38.95/month-families of 3

Student Recreation Center

The Student Recreation Center, or the Rec as it is known by many students, is free for those with an active One Card. Memberships for non-students are available for short term, seasonally and annually and can be purchased online.

Kevin Wenberg, graduate assistant for Open Recreation, said the Recreation Center has 60 cardio machines, 45 strength machines, 55 free weight stations and they also have areas for different sports and classes.

“Recreation Services also offers court space for basketball, racquetball, volleyball, wallyball, badminton and tennis,” Wenberg said. “Various group fitness classes are offered weekly such as yoga, cycling and kickboxing.”

To participate in fitness classes, students need to purchase a Fit Pass or a one-use pass. This week, however, the Rec is not charging for classes.

“This week is exciting as we are changing the schedule and classes are free for the week,” Wenberg said.

The Recreation Center also has open-swim and lap-swim pools at Anderson and Gable pools.
Wenberg said that students can benefit mentally, physically and emotionally by participating in activities offered by the Rec Center.

“Students can go on outdoor trips, participate in intramural sports, join sport clubs, play open recreation sports, take group fitness classes, work with a personal trainer or exercise on the equipment,” Wenberg said.

More information on the Student Recreation Center is available at niu.edu/recservices.
The Student Recreation Center

Free for students with active One Card
Fall Membership (after Oct. 17) $110
1 year Annual $260
Short term also available by number of visits per year.


Alternative Workout Methods

Kevin McShea, a junior physical education major, exercises outside of a health club or gym.
“I pretty much just jogged,” McShea said. “I played baseball and just did physical activity outside and watched what I ate,”

McShea said when he started jogging, he couldn’t go as far as he can now and he’s gotten used to running.

“I kept going further and further, longer distances and longer times,” McShea said.
During his breaks from work, McShea would go on a run. Then, during his free time, he would go on bike rides.

“I didn’t want to pay for a gym membership and running outside is free,” McShea said. “You don’t have to go to a gym to be fit.”

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