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FEBRUARY 2019

What's up Windy City!

Welcome to February! One month ago, many set New Year’s resolutions. And now is the time we see just how resolute we really are. Some have gone back to their old ways already. The BIG visions and grand plans are bowing to everyday distractions...already. Hopefully that’s not you...not us. Now is the time to double-down on making all the changes you wanted to make; on being the person you were meant to be! And we’re fired up to help you anyway we can. We’ve got a great month coming up, including the start of the CrossFit Open and a February Check-In Challenge. As well, we’re excited about the backcountry experience, a new team member, and of course this month’s AOM. All that and more below!

Keep livin' BIG!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Windy City Backcountry Live BIG Experience
At Windy City, we believe in training for life, getting outside the gym, exploring the world and seeking new adventures with an amazing group of people. We've teamed up with a local adventure outfitter to offer you this one of a kind experience to put your fitness to the test, learn about natural ecosystems and master backcountry survival skills. Learn more
CrossFit Open: Feb. 21–Mar. 25
Are you ready? The 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games Open is only a few weeks away...and it’s the largest fitness competition on Earth. Join athletes from all around the world, and push yourself further than you ever thought possible over a five-week period. Challenges, PRs and the unknown await. Learn more and sign up here
Refer a Friend. You get $100. They get $100.
Remember the first day you stepped into Windy City? You made a big decision that day to live a better life and be the person you were meant to be. How great would it feel if you could help someone you love to make a big change in their life too? Refer a friend to Windy City today and you'll BOTH get $100 off your memberships! Learn more
Welcome Elyza!
You'll be seeing a new face at the front desk. We'd like to announce that Elyza has joined the Windy City team. Stop by and introduce yourself!
February "Check-In" Challenge
Check in at the front desk 16+ times during the month of February and you'll be entered to win a free Prestige Labs Supplement package!

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Brad Hillhouse

Brad is a straight up cool cat. He gets along with everyone and truly loves coming to the gym. Spend enough time at Windy City and you are sure to see his big old welcoming southern grin crushing a WOD. In the past year we have watched Brad make a true transformation. It started when he re-joined the gym, progressed as he took on Windy City’s Murph Team Training and continues with his recent commitment to improve his Weightlifting skills in Windy City’s Olympic Weightlifting track. What’s next? Who knows, but one thing is certain, Bradley will give it his all and more than likely won’t stop until he has set a personal record.

STAFF FAVE FOUR

Here's a list of what we're loving and learning this month:

Small Paul: What I'm wearing
Nike Romaleos III—These are the first "proper" pair of lifting shoes I purchased and they are well worth the cost. For someone like myself, who focuses more on weightlifting, its a must. You don't wear sneakers to black tie event and football players don't wear dress shoes on the field. They have a purpose and have been engineered with that in mind.
Taylor: Book I'm reading
I Am That Girl—It is a feel good read. It helps remind you that you already are that girl who creates magic wherever she goes, who lives fearlessly, who inspires those around her to dream bigger, and who will leave the world better, just for having been in it.
Eloise: Show I'm watching
Cobra Kai—Based off of The Karate Kid, a continuation. Mostly same main characters. Original YouTube series #sports
Justin: Thing I'm loving
Intensive Salve—CBD oil salve for designed for use on joints, muscles and other sore areas...and it works!

ARTICLE OF THE MONTH

Scottish Doctors Are Now Issuing Prescriptions to Go Hiking

by Justin Houseman from adventure-journal.com

It just so happens that doctors are increasingly starting to realize time spent outdoors can be an excellent treatment for chronic health issues. So doctors in the Shetlands are now issuing “nature prescriptions” as part of an initiative to address health issues without drugs if you can imagine that.

For everything from high blood pressure to diabetes, anxiety, and depression, the medical community is learning (though lots of us have always known) that many ailments and diseases can be treated with activities like birdwatching, maybe a little kayaking, perhaps combing a beach for shells, even skipping pebbles across a slow-moving stream. Even just sitting silently in a forest, meditating (see: Japan, forest bathing).

Get your dose of adventure by joining the Windy City Backcountry Experience.

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