By gaining 60 pounds in one year, I lost sense of who I was and all motivation. By
losing those 60 pounds in 8 months, I reclaimed my spirit, drive, and more. Through boxing
class to swimming and those summer afternoons reading on the rooftop sharing time with people
just as eager to succeed as me, I emerged from that heavy place. All of the sweat and pain moved
me to a fabulous life! I am thankful for the weight loss, and for The Sports Club LA for being
my place of restorative calm and encouragement throughout it all.
Catherine M.
New York Upper East Side
I began 2009 with only one resolution—get my health back on track. My
health and spirits were at an all time low. I not only gave up but didn't care that
I had. The Sports Club/LA helped me regain the confidence and motivation I lost, and
to look at fitness and health in different ways—new classes, workshops, equipment,
instructors, and facility. I started a journey I didn't want to begin, but the Sports
Club made the journey easier. It's now my daily retreat just steps from home. I'm happy
to report I'm ending 2009 "mission accomplished."
Julia K.
Washington, D.C.
From the moment I walk through the door to The Sports Club/LA, I am greeted by
friendly, supportive faces and I know I am entering my own personal sanctuary. This
atmosphere and the encouragement I receive from the other staff, trainers and members
keeps me motivated to continue my exercise regimen and helps improve my overall physical
and mental well being. During the entire time I am at the club, I know I can leave the
stress of my daily life outside and can stay focused on pushing myself to new limits and
achieving new physical and personal goals.
Alisa G.
New York Upper East Side
Thanks to the great facilities and personal training from Jay Tapanainen, The
Sports Club/LA has changed me. I came back to the Club after a couple of years absence when
my doctor said my poor diet and lack of exercise were killing me. My cholesterol was 266 points
and at 5′9″ I weighed 255 lbs. Since rejoining the Club this year, I've lost more
than 40 pounds and 6 inches off of my waistline. My cholesterol's only 142. Not even gall
bladder surgery and a heart attack have stopped me from making Sports Club/LA an important
cornerstone of my life!
Michael H.
San Francisco
When my doctor told me I had cancer, I was shocked. I was young-not even 35! With
that news, the last thing on my mind was working out. All I wanted to do was curl up in bed.
After surgery and treatment, I was exhausted and demoralized. Even worse, I felt like my own
body was the enemy. Working out with my personal trainer at The Sports Club/LA has not only
helped me reclaim my body, it's made me stronger than ever before—both physically and emotionally.
This year, I was declared cancer free. But I think I'll keep the trainer!
Hilary R.
San Francisco
I have always been involved in athletics and
physical fitness. Over a year ago, my grandmother, whom I was extremely
close with, passed away and it had a devastating effect on me. I became
depressed, withdrawn and in-turn stopped working out all together. It wasn't
until last October when I joined The Sports Club/LA that my life had changed.
Being part of The Sports Club/LA family and working with James, my personal trainer,
allowed me to find myself again. I
quickly regained my self confidence, motivation and passion for life and
physical fitness by staying healthy and in shape at The Sports Club/LA Miami.
Stephanie M.
Miami
Life would be easier without the club, I foolishly thought, inwardly lamenting that
circumstances had made it so difficult to juggle work, working out, and working out the chemotherapy
kinks. But then I recognized just how life-affirming and vital The Sports Club/LA was to me. How
each stretch represented renewed strength, flexing me towards life, away from the blows of
leukemia. How each visceral grunt or sheepish splash in the pool proclaimed reborn vigor,
and where each instructor signaled a new challenge. The Sports Club/LA has become a nurturing
force, empowering my previously ravaged body to heal and lunge towards full life.
Suhani K.
San Francisco
My story begins some years back when I started my
recovery from anorexia. From that point on, my effort to become healthy did
not, could not, revolve around the mass notion of “thin is in”.
I'm glad to see that the classes, trainers, and overall mentality of this
club differs from others in that its focus is fun, health, motivation, and
balance. Through yoga, Zumba, pilates, buff ballet, and nutritional
counseling, I can be healthy while having fun and achieving a balanced life.
At The Sports Club/LA I became more in tune with my life,
my healthy body, my true self!
Ana Sofia V.
Miami
Awakening to practice yoga with the rising sun;
powering through Pilates while gazing out the window at the water cascading
down the wall sculpture; spinning with wild abandon as the group's energy
flows in syncopation with the music; climbing Mount Everest on the treadmill,
on the elliptical trainer, on the stair master – our goal just around
the next bend. All the while, surrounded by the most incredible machinery,
the smiling faces of friends made through sweat, shared purpose and laughter,
and the ever present trainers in black, guiding us to reach for our best.
Could The Sports Club/LA be Nirvana?
Lisa M.
Miami
Working out at The Sports Club/LA has given me a sense of being whole again.
It's been a long time since I've felt normal. Today marks two years of being cancer free.
I don't feel fragile anymore. My self esteem is boosted when I try a new class, talk to
the nutritionist or get in the pool. To me, the pool equates to freedom! Normally, I can't run
or jump but can give 100% in the water. Every time I walk through the club's front doors, I
know I've accomplished something that day!
Mary Ann O.
New York Upper East Side
For me, 2009 and The Sports Club/LA-Boston means
strength in mind and strength in body. My body. While recovering from
herniated discs and two surgeries, along with the weight gain from no
running, our beautiful club and helpful fitness staff got me on track to a
healthy exercise regime. Jeannette, my personal trainer, taught me how to
move safely and effectively again. Alexa and Al's high energy classes have me
smiling big. Jasminie's yoga classes have me feeling strong and swimming laps
early morning, empowered. I am thankful every single day
for having The Sports Club/LA in my life.
Kristin S.
Boston
Fitness, friendship, connection, reconnection, relaxation, and motivation! The
Sports Club/LA has been part of my life for over 15 years (Vertical Club, now Sports Club/LA).
I have met and made lifelong friends and reconnected with old ones; found inspiring teachers
and classes to keep me in shape and motivated and a roofdeck that has kept me sane through
times of uncertainty! So much more than a club, The Sports Club/LA has become a second home!
Amy S.
New York Upper East Side
Since my membership at The Sports Club/LA I have come to realize that self-care
is not an option, it is as much a necessity as food, water and the air we breathe. Throughout
my working career I have included outdoor activities and "noon or evening" exercise classes
sporadically. It was not until the mid to late nineties that I was introduced to Yoga and
found it to help with some of the incredible job stresses. Eventually a job loss in 2002
provided me an opportunity to enjoy more of the aerobic programming at The Sports Club,
reassess core values and spend time on things that really matter.
What I learned is that stress is a precursor to both minor and serious health consequences—it
does horrible things physically and mentally; that exercise is the ultimate stress management tool;
that Yoga and Pilates focuses me on breathing and alignment issues, all help me to decompress and
deal with whatever life throws my way through a stronger body and clearer mind. Most importantly
I learned the hard way that self-care is not selfish and accepting this attitude (a major
behavioral change for me) was critical to my well being! Time is always limited but in prioritizing
it does become possible to include the time for “exercise” for oneself.
Exercise has become my DRUG OF CHOICE—the healthy lifestyle energizes me, helps me cope
with life's hurdles and fast balls and to relax, keeps me focused and “wagging more and
barking less”!
Carmen L.
Washington, D.C.
After the death of my husband, I moved across the country from DC to San Francisco in
July . As a 30-something in a new city I set about investigating fitness club options. Joining
The Sports Club/LA was the best decision I made this year. The healing power of focusing on my
personal physical well being gave me mental clarity and a sense of confidence in a new city and new
life. And working with my trainer, Charlie Reid, is not only fun and challenging, but has reversed
the effects of an old knee injury. I'm only moving forward.
Kathryn P.
San Francisco
100 words are not enough to describe how The Sports
Club/LA was an essential part of my healthy lifestyle, but I'll try. It was
not only part of a my healthy lifestyle, but also an important part of my
social life and mental health. Through the Club, I met new-friends, I got
closer with my husband since we discovered squash together, my flexibility
increased thanks to innumerable yoga classes, my body is tighter and stronger
thanks to all the diverse cardio, spinning and definition classes, I began
swimming again to train for a triathlon and I get to brag with my
non-member-friends about the sauna/steamroom, unlimited-towels, fun parties,
free saturdays for guests and excellent trainers we have! Some days I come 3
times a day for spinning and definition in the morning, yoga at noon and
dancing and weights at nights. I couldn't live without my
Sports Club/LA!
Nancy F.
Boston
