Dora the Explorer Teaches Free Healthy Snacks Class in Chicago – March 12

Looking for a fun, free event for your kids in Chicago this Friday?  How about meeting with Dora the Explorer and Kai-lan, who will be stopping by the Whole Foods in Lincoln Park (1550 N. Kingsbury St.) to teach kids how to make their favorite healthy snacks on Friday, March 12, 2010 from 11 – 11:30 a.m. Read more

Free Gym Passes and Health Screenings on National Kidney Day – Mar 11

This Thursday, March 11 is National Kidney Day, and the week kicks off earlier on Tuesday, March 9 and Wednesday, March 10, as locals are invited to visit various Chicago Cardinal Fitness locations for free health screenings and free gym passes and receive special offers from the gym promoting healthy, active lifestyles.  Read more

Free Heart Testing, Healthy Cooking Demo and “Tobacco Wars”- Feb 18

Come check your health at Saint Francis Hospital’s annual free HeartFest on Feb. 18 which includes free cholesterol, free diabetes, and free blood pressure screenings as well as a healthy cooking demonstration and lectures from physicians. The heart festival is free and open to the public. Keynote speaker Patrick Reynolds, an anti-smoking activist and grandson to cigarette company founder R.J. Reynolds, is anticipated to draw a standing-room only crowd with his discussion called “Tobacco Wars: the Battle for a Smoke-free Society.”  Read more

Free Dental Care for Kids on Feb 5

Are you looking for a low-cost dentist for your kids?  On February 5, 2010,  dentists across the U.S. will participate in the Give Kids a Smile program, offering free oral care services to children in low-income families*. In order to sign up, scroll down for your state on the site to see if there is a free dentist located near you. Read more

Free Yoga Classes on “Yoga Day USA” – Jan 23

This Saturday, January 23 is Yoga Day USA, where you can try free yoga classes all over the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs.  Thousands of Americans — the young and old, the flexible and not-so-flexible, athletes and couch potatoes and those of every heritage will discover, rediscover or continue with their current practice through a free workshop perfect for them.  Want to try it?  Find a free yoga class near you.  Each year hundreds of yoga teachers and schools offer free or nearly free yoga workshops Read more

Free Healthy Cooking Class at Whole Foods – Jan 23

Come and learn for free how to make simple & fast healthy recipe fixes for the New Year. Registered Dietitian and culinary instructor, Vicki Shanta Retelny, will lead a free culinary class in Chicago on Saturday, Jan 23, 2010 at Read more

Get Free Coffee/Treats on “Winter Bike to Work” Day in Chicago – Jan 20

The Active Transportation Alliance is holding its annual Winter Bike to Work Day Wednesday, January 20, 2010.    Winter Bike to Work Day in Chicago celebrates the coldest day in Chicago history — Jan. 20, 1985, when the official temperature at O’Hare International Airport was Read more

Top 10 Free Fitness Exercises to Get in Shape in Chicago in 2010

How are you doing on your Chicago New Year’s resolutions?  Focusing on our health is on everyone’s mind at this time of the year, including the staff at Free Things to Do in Chicago.  Like you, many people rush to join health clubs or take on ambitious workout programs on their own. The key is to get exercise on a regular basis so we want to point out to you a number of free things to you can with your family and kids to get more healthy in 2010. According to Sharone Aharon, Fitness Trainer and Owner of Well Fit in Chicago, you can improve your fitness with just 10 simple free exercises. No expensive equipment or gym membership is required.

Cardio work: it’s the easiest, simplest and most effective way to get your body in shape, Sharone says.  Ofcourse, teh easiest free way to get in shape is just to start walking.  Walking can be done anywhere and safest way for developing cardio vascular fitness and optimal fat utilization.

1. Interval training – boost your fitness level, maximizing calorie consumption and the best form of exercise for weight loss.
2. Strength training: best for increasing muscle mass and basal metabolic rate. Focus on exercise that uses multiple muscles, Sharone advises. Start slow with light weight and change your routine every 4 to 6 weeks
3. Squats - develop all the major muscles of the lower body at once, back, gluts, hamstrings and quadriceps
4. Lunges - is an advanced and more functional form of squat
5. Pushups - work on the chest, shoulder triceps and the trunk core muscle
6. Rows – works all the major muscles of the upper back and biceps
7. Pull-ups - works mainly the back and shoulder muscles but also engage the biceps and forearm muscles
8. Abdominal work - useful in improving performance in most physical activity and improve lower back pain
9. Bridges - very effectively improve lower back strength
10. Hip abduction/adduction - will help stabilizing the hip knees and form lean line thighs

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Free Blood Pressure Screenings and Health Events in Chicago

Some 25-30% of adults have high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, many of these people don’t know they have it. Come out and get your blood pressure checked for free at these many locations.  Some people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. This is why high blood pressure is often called the “silent killer.” Read more

Start Off the New Year 2010 With a Free Heart Exam – Jan 1

Residents of Chicago and the South Suburbs can ring in the New Year with a free heart exam, including comprehensive tests and blood work on Jan. 1, 2010, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Metro South Fitness and Lifestyle Center in the MetroSouth Doctor’s Pavilion, 2310 York St., Blue Island. Read more