This park hosts the Oakbrook Terrace Park District Fitness Center, an oasis of tranquility for anyone looking for an escape from the day.
The Fitness Center has been in the same spot since 1991, which is amazing in the fickle world of fitness. The longevity may be attributed to the Fitness Center’s fanatical devotion to the exerciser and their experience. Everything from the equipment to the locker rooms is exceptionally clean, the classes are scheduled to fit into real life, and the Fitness Center offers the option of signing up for a program without being a member.
That option is a huge benefit as the group fitness schedule is outstanding. Trusted favorites like yoga and Boot Camp are offered along with innovative new classes like Drums Alive, a low-intensity class for new exercisers and individuals 50 and older that uses drumsticks, stability balls, and great music to get people moving. Youth classes, such as creative movements, and tumbling are also offered.
Member feedback is taken seriously and the staff makes every effort to schedule the classes that people want at the times they want them. Appealing to the needs of members who work in the nearby office buildings are a number of lunchtime classes that allow for a vigorous workout in a short amount of time.
Beyond group fitness, there is a cardio room with a wide selection of equipment to get your heart pumping. Fitness Center Manager Shawn Mulford, both a Performance Enhancement Specialist and a Corrective Exercise Specialist with National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), explains that each piece of fitness equipment is carefully selected for its unique function. “We have treadmills that offer a range of varied platform stiffness and some with a lower step-up height. We have upright bikes, recumbent bikes, and even a bike that’s a hybrid of both. It’s all about offering variety and staying on top of the latest fitness trends,” says Shawn. He adds, “We select each piece understanding that the needs of our community and members are diverse. Our members feel the difference and appreciate our scrutiny in selecting equipment.”
The weight room is double-sided. The first side boasts a full circuit of selectorized machines from the industry’s top manufacturers, which like the cardio equipment is specifically selected to work with the biomechanics of your body. The flip side is stocked with free weights and a number of useful benches and racks.
There is a separate functional training room for those who are looking to challenge themselves, either on their own or with an experienced certified trainer. In addition to a cage with battling ropes, TRX, kettlebells, and medicine balls, this room also houses a Nexersys interactive MMA machine. The machine’s on-screen personal trainer guides you through a series of strikes for a tough workout with stress-busting benefits.
Golfers take advantage of the functional training studio during the winter months to really improve their game by participating in the Circle Systems Golf (CSG) program, which utilizes K-Vest 3D and FlightScope technology. “It used to be that you’d go out to the range and hit balls for hours. It was all about the repetition,” says Richard Franklin, founder of CSG. “But now, with strength and speed playing a bigger role in golf, it’s equally important that golfers spend time in the gym building their strength.” “Our lessons integrate golf, fitness, and technology,” Shawn says. “This is the next level in golf performance training and we are proud to offer this to everyone.”
The 16,600-square-foot facility is rounded out with two racquetball courts and a gymnasium, where youth and adult basketball and volleyball leagues are held. January is great month to discover this hidden gem that offers lasting benefits. Several classes will offer free trial sessions and the Fitness Center is hosting a series of free health screenings.
Oakbrook Terrace Park District Fitness Center is located at 1 Parkview Plaza in Oakbrook Terrace. To learn more, call 630-574-0420, or visit obtpd.org/fc.
– Michelle Crowe
