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Norridge Park District offers exercise options
Ray Hardy, personal trainer at the Norridge Park District Fitness Center, helps with weight liftin. | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media
Open houses
Find out more about your fitness options at two open house events at the Norridge Park District fitness center. Besides checking out the equipment, the event also will feature free classes in such activities as power kicks, total body toning and speed lunch workout.
Where: Norridge Park District, 4631 N. Overhill Ave.
When: 3-8 pm Saturday, Jan. 12, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13
Admission: Free
Information: Visit www.norridgepk.com for a schedule of free classes or call (708) 457-1244.
Article Extras
Updated: February 11, 2013 6:54AM
NORRIDGE — Options abound for those wanting to improve their health.
From exercising to build core strength to eating more healthfully to finding the right diet supplements, all one needs to do is a little research.
In the exercise department, the Norridge Park District offers its fitness center.
The 16,000-square-foot facility at 4631 N. Overhill Ave. provides a variety of equipment to help its members meet their goals.
The traditional machines, such as treadmills and elliptical cross trainers, are side-by-side with such specialized pieces as the Smith machine, that allows only vertical movement.
The club offers more than two dozen pieces of equipment, not including hand weights ranging in size from five pounds to 75 pounds.
“We have an attendant on site at all times that can help explain how to use the machines,” said Mark DeSalvo, director of parks and recreation. “And if you want more detailed instructions, we have personal trainers available by appointment.”
Since moving back to Norridge, Paul Campeol has been taking advantage of the fitness center.
“I go about three times a week,” he said.
When he lived in San Francisco, he didn’t have to work out because he did a lot of walking up and down the hilly sidewalks.
“But since moving back, I decided I needed to start another exercise program,” he said.
Noting a plethora of health clubs in the area, Campeol said what sold him on the park district was the appeal of its membership program, which he said included reasonable prices and terms, and a nice atmosphere.
“It’s like an extension of home,” he noted. “I’m past that period where you have the treadmill at home and it becomes a clothes rack.”
Campeol said he turned to the Internet to find a workout program.
The program works well with the fitness club’s offerings.
“This is the perfect solution,” he said. “And it’s much better than trying to do this at home.”
He also said the club is not a competitive place.
“But that could be because I try to get here after 10 a.m. or before 5 p.m.,” he noted.
Campeol favors the elliptical, bicycle and weights. He brings with him water, a towel and music.
“I’m just trying to maintain weight, especially in the winter,” he said.
Campeol’s outlook on exercise is simple.
“Don’t do anything that hurts or that you don’t like,” he said. “You can judge how much to exercise by how your clothes fit.”
