Inspired Chicago - Find fun things to do in Chicago!

Updated April 9, 2019 Whether you exercise because you love the way you feel after a good workout or because you know it is a vital part of living a healthy lifestyle, you probably have found that fitness club memberships and individual classes can be expensive. If you would like to save some money, you are in luck! During the summer, you will find several free exercise classes offered in Chicago. Most are in the downtown Chicago area, making them easily accessible to both visitors and residents. There are also classes in various neighborhoods. These classes are outside (unless it is raining). You get a free workout and you get to enjoy the beautiful outdoors! In addition to free classes during the summer, there are also many year-round classes that are free. Year-Round Classes Athleta Athleta stores offer free classes. Check each store's calendar to find upcoming classes for that location. Note: Some classes may require reservations, so be sure to check the calenda...

August 5, 2017 'Go Run Humboldt Park Location: Humboldt Park, south of Little Cubs Field, Chicago Start Time: 9 a.m. Event Beneficiary: ‘Go Run events are free! ‘Go Run Warren Park Location: Warren Park, 6601 North Western Avenue, Chicago Start Time: 9 a.m. Event Beneficiary: ‘Go Run events are free! ‘Go Run Washington Park Location: Washington Park, Morgan Drive and Russell Drive, Chicago Start Time: 9 a.m. Event Beneficiary: ‘Go Run events are free! World Vision 6K for Water Location: Montrose Harbor, Chicago Start Time: 9 a.m. Event Beneficiary: World Vision August 9, 2017 Chicago Full Moon Run Location: Southeast corner of Norwood Park, North Avondale Avenue and West Hurlbut Street, Chicago Start Times: 7:30 p.m. (5K) and 7:35 p.m. (1-Mile Lunar Orbit) Event Beneficiary: All proceeds benefit the battle against multiple sclerosis. August 12, 2017 Donut 5K Location: Montrose Harbor, 601 West Montrose Avenue, Chicago Start...

July 1, 2017 Garfield Ridge Stars & Stripes 5K Location: Wentworth Park, 5700 South Narragansett Avenue, Chicago Start Time: 8 a.m. Event Beneficiaries: 100 Club of Chicago , Chicago Police Memorial Foundation , and Wounded Warrior Project July 8, 2017 Chinatown 5K Location: Chinatown Square, 2130 South Archer Avenue, Chicago Start Times: 8 a.m. (5K) and 9 a.m. (200 meter for ages 6-8 and 1/4 mile for ages 9-11) Event Beneficiaries: Chinese-American Museum of Chicago , Project: VISION, Inc. , and Urban Christian Academy 'Go Run Humboldt Park Location: Humboldt Park, south of Little Cubs Field, Chicago Start Time: 9 a.m. Event Beneficiary: 'Go Run events are free! 'Go Run Warren Park Location: Warren Park, 6601 North Western Avenue, Chicago Start Time: 9 a.m. Event Beneficiary: 'Go Run events are free! 'Go Run Washington Park Location: Washington Park, Morgan Drive and Russell Drive, Chicago Start Time: 9...

Grab your workout gear and head to Millennium Park this summer for free classes! Get in an early yoga workout on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. June 6–August 31, 2017. On Saturdays, June 10–September 2, 2017, Pilates (7 a.m.), Yoga (8 a.m.), Strength Training (9 a.m.), and Zumba® (10 a.m.) are on the schedule. All classes are 45 minutes and take place on the Great Lawn. In celebration of the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Saturday, June 3, Yoga at 7 a.m. and Cardio Workout at 8 a.m. will feature gospel music. Pilates at 9 a.m. and Zumba® at 10 a.m. will follow. For more information, please visit the Millennium Park Summer Workouts page.

June 1, 2017 Strides for Peace Run/Walk & Tots for Peace Sprint Location: Grant Park, Upper Hutchinson Field, 200 East Balbo Avenue, Chicago Start Times: 6:40 p.m. (Tots for Peace Sprint), 7 p.m. (8K Run and 5K Run), and 7:15 p.m. (2-Mile Walk) Event Beneficiary: Strides for Peace June 2, 2017 Magis Miles Location: Saint Ignatius College Prep Track, 1076 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago Start Times: 6 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. Event Beneficiary: No beneficiary listed June 3, 2017 Chicago Gospel Run 5K Location: Oakwood Beach in Burnham Park, 1099 East Oakwood Boulevard (East 39th Street and South Lake Shore Drive), Chicago Start Times: 8 a.m. (Kids' Run), 8:30 a.m. (5K Run), and 8:35 a.m. (5K Walk) Event Beneficiary: Gospel Run Dim Sum & Then Some: The Uptown 5K Location: Buttercup Park, 4901 North Sheridan Road, Chicago Start Time: 8 a.m. Event Beneficiary: Chinese Mutual Aid Association Summ...

May 6, 2017 Run to Remember Location: Gold Star Families Memorial and Park, located east of Soldier Field, 1410 South Museum Campus Drive, Chicago (5K Run/Walk) Soldier Field Stadium Green , 1410 South Museum Campus Drive, Chicago (Junior Jog) Start Times: 8 a.m. (5K Run/Walk) and 9:30 a.m. (Junior Jog) Event Beneficiary: Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Cinco de Miler Location: Montrose Harbor, Chicago Start Time: 8:30 a.m. Event Beneficiary: Gilda's Club Chicago 'Go Run Humboldt Park Location: Humboldt Park, south of Little Cubs Field, Chicago Start Time: 9 a.m. Event Beneficiary: 'Go Run events are free! 'Go Run Warren Park Location: Warren Park, 6601 North Western Avenue, Chicago Start Time: 9 a.m. Event Beneficiary: 'Go Run events are free! 'Go Run Washington Park Location: Washington Park, Morgan Drive and Russell Drive, Chicago Start Time: 9 a.m. Event Beneficiary: 'Go Run events are free! Superhero R...

April 1, 2017 My Hero Run/Walk Location: Montrose Harbor, Chicago Start Time: 9 a.m. Event Beneficiary: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago April 2, 2017 Shamrock Shuffle 8K Location: Grant Park, Chicago Start Times: 8:30 a.m. (Wave 1), 9 a.m. (Wave 2), and 9:30 a.m. (Walk) Event Beneficiaries: Charity Teams April 8, 2017 Chi Town Half Marathon & 10K Location: Montrose Harbor, 601 West Montrose Avenue, Chicago Start Time: 7 a.m. Event Beneficiary: Special Olympics Chicago Chicago Lakefront 50K George Cheung Memorial Race Location: Jackson Park, Grove 19A, approximately 100 yards west of the 63rd Street Beach House, Chicago Start Time: 7:30 a.m. Event Beneficiary: No beneficiary listed FFC Lincoln Park Indoor Triathlon & Sprint and Olympic Location: Formula Fitness Clubs Lincoln Park, 939 West North Avenue, Chicago Start Time: Waves begin every 30 minutes starting at 8...

March 4, 2017 East Bank Club Indoor Triathlon Location: East Bank Club, 500 North Kingsbury Street, Chicago Start Time: 7:30 a.m. Event Beneficiary: No beneficiary listed FFC West Loop Indoor Triathlon Location: Formula Fitness Clubs West Loop, 10 South Clinton Street, Chicago Start Time: Waves begin every 30 minutes starting at 8 a.m. Event Beneficiary: No beneficiary listed March 5, 2017 Fight for Air Climb Location: Presidential Towers, 555 West Madison Street, Chicago Start Time: 7 a.m. Event Beneficiary: American Lung Association Chicago Polar Plunge Location: North Avenue Beach, 1603 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago Start Time: 10 a.m. Event Beneficiary: Special Olympics Chicago March 7, 2017 Anton Paar 5K Walk/Run Location: Chicago Lakefront Trail, Dock A, Chicago Start Times: 7 a.m. (Run) and 7:10 a.m. (Walk) Event Beneficiary: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital March 11, 2017 Get...

February 11, 2017 Universal Sole Valentines Trail Challenge Location: Schiller Woods, Des Plaines River Road, Chicago Start Time: 10 a.m. Event Beneficiary: No beneficiary listed Cupid's Undie Run Location: John Barleycorn Wrigleyville, 3524 North Clark Street, Chicago Start Times: 12 noon (doors open) and 2 p.m. (run) Event Beneficiary: Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF) February 18, 2017 Miles and Mimosas Indoor Triathlon Location: Lakeshore Sport & Fitness Illinois Center, 211 North Stetson Avenue, Chicago Start Time: Waves begin every 20 minutes starting at 8 a.m. Event Beneficiary: No beneficiary listed February 25, 2017 Mardi Gras Chaser 5K/10K Location: Montrose Harbor, Chicago Start Time: 10 a.m. Event Beneficiary: Back on My Feet Chicago February 26, 2017 Hustle up the Hancock Location: John Hancock Center, 875 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago Start Times: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Fu...

Winter has arrived! For many people, the cold, blustery winter weather of the Midwest signals a move to indoor workouts. If you plan to brave the frigid temperatures for regular outdoor workouts or to participate in an event, here are some basic cold-weather training tips to help take you through the winter: Hydrate before, during, and after your workout. Consider the air temperature, wind chill, and related weather alerts before heading outside for a workout. You can search for weather conditions in your area at the National Weather Service's website. Wear layers, a hat, a face mask or scarf, and gloves or mittens, depending on the weather. The Runner's World website has a handy tool that, after you enter a few details, will provide suggestions on what to wear for your workout. Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection and use sunscreen during daytime workouts. Wear bright-colored, reflective clothing when it is dark outside. Watch out for ice. Know the ...