CHIRP: The Chicago Independent Radio Project

Katherine Raz writes

Punk Rope & Other Offbeat Workouts

Now that we’ve had a little over a month to try and make habits of our New Year’s resolutions, ask yourself: are you utilizing your gym membership? No? Maybe that’s because the repetitive treadmill thing just isn’t happening for you. Check out some of these alternative fitness options, guaranteed to inspire you in a way that 45:33 on the elliptical no longer can.

Punk Rope at Discovery Center
Feb 25 – April 1
Wednesdays 6-7pm
Discovery Center (2940 N. Lincoln)
$89

Get fit in this “rock’n‘roll-fueled cross between recess and boot camp” that mixes traditional jump rope with themed drills and school yard games. (Beginner.)

Breakdancing 1 at the Old Town School of Folk Music
March 4 – April 22
Wednesdays at 7:20pm
Old Town School (909 W. Armitage Ave.)
$150

Not only will you learn the fundamentals of street dance and hip-hop culture, by the end you’ll be improvising and competing with your classmates “just like the b-boys and b-girls.” Word. (Beginner.)

20s Charleston – Girl Power! at The Galaxie Chicago
Feb. 11 – March 3
Wednesdays at 7pm
$40 ($25 students)
The Galaxie Chicago (2603 W. Barry)

Free your inner flapper and get a great workout while studying basic Charleston and other 1920s and 30s rhythms. (Beginner.)

Trapeze at The Aloft Loft
Ongoing
Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 6-7:30pm
$125 for 4 classes, $275 for 10 ($35 a la carte — there is a free class on the 2nd Saturday of every month from 10:30am-12pm, reservations required)
The Aloft Loft (2041 W. Carroll #306)

Develop upper body strength and aerial awareness while learning the fundamentals of trapeze — “the ballet of the air.” (Beginner.)

Chair Striptease at Flirty Girl Fitness
In February
Thursdays 8:15pm
Flirty Girl Fitness (1325 W. Randolph)
$25 per class (or included with $110 monthly membership)

Get an abdominal workout as you learn the art of the sexy chair dance. (That’s an art, right?) Plus, you get to say “my Chair Striptease class.” (Beginner.)

Core Conditioning Class at Breakbone Dance Co.
Feb. 15 – April 5
Sundays 11am-12:30pm
Hamlin Park Studio (3035 N. Hoyne)
$50 (or $8 a la carte)

Strengthen core muscles and excavate new movement concepts with the Breakbone company members who founded the troupe’s extreme movement and bodyslam techniques. (Advanced.)

Not the “fitness class” type? You can always try out for roller derby.