Faces of Fitness brings thousands to Durso Park despite heat and humidity

CHICAGO — The heat and humidity didn’t stop thousands of people from showing up to a two-day outdoor fitness test that some have nicknamed “the Lollapalooza of fitness.”

“This is like joyful. I’m loving it,” Kendra Cornett said.

Cornett and some of her closest friends joined a crowd of 8,500 people in Durso Park over the weekend for the fourth annual Faces of Fitness festival.

“It won’t be our last time, we already got our outfits ready for next year,” Marla Jackson-Allen said.

Festival founders David and Lindsay Grass say the fitness fest concept, offering a genre of exercise classes, formed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vision from the start focused on giving guests a Lollapalooza-like experience rooted in health and wellness.

“We’ve really kept it, sort of, this balance of Chicago’s best talent with global talent,” David Grass said.

Among the lineup of guest instructors included former Bears cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman, and internationally recognized DJ Sam Feldt helped keep workouts upbeat.

“This is amazing. I could take it all day but Workout with Pvolve kind of took me out so we’re going to go to brunch,” Chamala Jordan said.

Dozens of vendors set up around the park, exposing participants to resources for physical, mental and nutritional wellness.

“It’s really good for those particular things, to show you what things to eat and what things you need to tap into,” Kametta Clark said.

For folks who needed to cool down and relax, cold plunge tubs set at about 50 degrees were on hand.

“I can tell you once you get over how cold you are, it is a real serene experience,” Lindsay Grass said.

A portion of the proceeds from Faces of Fitness support local nonprofit, too.

“We work with Urban Initiatives who bring sports recess play to underserved Chicago children,” David Grass said.

“In addition, I think what is really unique is how many people sign up to volunteer to become part of their board,” Lindsay Grass said.

For more information on Faces of Fitness, click here.