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
In this tight economy, the gym might be considered a luxury, but I think
these times make it a necessity. I know stress levels were up this year as I and
others watched our 401K and savings dwindle away while watching layoffs and other
crises. Without The Sports Club/LA, the stress and anxiety would have been the end.
The Sports Club/LA kept me healthy and gave me piece of mind with exercise (for body),
yoga and dance (for mind) and spent social time with my friends (for spirit). Club time
kept me healthy and sane during these times of insanity.
Heidi W.
Washington, D.C.
I turned 40 this past August and set a goal to do a full Ironman race.
It was a crazy idea, but I wanted a challenge! Working out at The Sports Club/LA
made it possible. My training sessions with Rob Stuart helped whip me into excellent
shape. Spin classes kept me fit when I couldn't cycle outdoors. Swim classes got me
ready for openwater swimming, and deep-tissue sports massages made recovery quick.
With hard work, I ran my first marathon this year (and did two more after that) and
finished the Louisville Ironman on 8/30/09 in just under 12 hours. Thanks
The Sports Club/LA!
Christopher S.
Washington, D.C.
The Sports Club LA – Miami is not
only an essential part of my lifestyle, it has, in fact, together with its
exceptional Advantage Trainer Justin Meininger, saved
my life. This is not hyperbole. The facts speak for
themselves. When I joined in July 2007, I had just recovered from a February
2006 bi-lateral pulmonary embolism, collapsed lung, and a week long hospital
stay. During 2006, I was necessarily sedentary. I gained weight. Since July
2007, I have lost 40+ lbs., my pants waist is 32", my percent body fat
reduced over 50%, and I run 5K every week.
Steven M.
Miami
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
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
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
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
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
When thinking about The Sports Club/LA I am reminded that we (individuals)
have two ends; yet our fate is controlled by what we decide to make the best use of.
Using the club this past year consistently challenged me to chase and achieve my goal
to lose weight while strengthening my physical and mental resolve. The serenity and
strength The Sports Club/LA offered not only motivated me—but kept me motivated.
The Sports Club/LA—a sanctuary where there is no differrence between courage and
the appearance of courage—only the difference between believing that you
can achieve because it makes you want to achieve.
Craig 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
“Fifty Something,” my first bone density test.
Diagnosis: Osteopenia, weight bearing exercise a must.
Prescription: The Sports Club/LA.
I was hooked from the first visit to The Sports Club/LA.
The regular workouts with a trainer have practical applications
in my daily life. Posture, balance and flexibility improved. Stronger and
more confident. From push-ups against the wall, to three sets of regulation
ones! In addition to weekly exercises, my trainer has helped me become more
nutrition conscious. New friendships with staff and other members, an
unexpected plus. Enjoying this journey to healthier bones! Future Prognosis:
A healthy lifestyle incorporating fitness and nutrition.
Sharon P.
Miami
Within less than one year, a dear friend died, I was traumatized
by an assault, and I lost my job. My recovery meant relearning how to take care
of myself in ways that most take for granted. I weighed 95 pounds. Sometimes, I
forgot to breathe. Membership at Reebok Sports Club/NY was my fitness
stay-cation, but reconnecting with my body at that particular moment
rowned my recovery. I credit Reebok instructors for showing a survivor something
I never expected to learn from a gym—gratitude for revealing my own power
to transform my body and regenerate my essential, thriving self. Thank you!
Candida H.
Reebok Sports Club/NY
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
Working out at Reebok Sports Club/NY has nearly eliminated my chronic migraine
headaches, from 3x week to once every 3 months. In personal training sessions at the Club,
my trainer immediately noticed what two sports doctors, three osteopaths, two neurologists
and many physical therapists had missed: I carry enormous tension in my shoulders. This
triggered muscle spasms that became migraines. My trainer taught me how to recognize and
release the tension, and to work with my neurologist to find effective muscle relaxants.
Most importantly, I know control my migraines, instead of passively suffering them. And
my neurologist wants to meet my trainer!
Leigh-Anne W.
Reebok Sports Club/NY
