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.
I spend my days helping low wage and immigrant workers with workplace problems.
With the economic downturn this past year, my clients' problems mushroomed and my work
went into an upward spiral. The Sports Club/LA was my sanctuary; a place just for me. Whether
I needed to get out my aggressions by swinging a kettle bell or go inward in a calming Iyengar
yoga class, the club had it all. And, of course, there are those wonderful member benefit 80-minute
massages. It's great to have an urban spa just a hop, skip and a jump from the office.
Marci S.
San Francisco
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
This is a poem composed of a series of anagrams
based on the letters in the name of the most fabulous gym
on the planet: The Sports Club/LA:
It's a BLAST,
Get some ABS,
Play on the COURT,
It's a gym with CLASS!
Swim some LAPS,
Or visit the SPA,
There is also BLU,
Get a free guest PASS!
Now I love my BUST,
And I feel such LUST (for life),
I hate to BOAST, but...
This gym deserves a TOAST!
Asha A.
Boston
Last year I had an osteotomy on my hip, leaving me
in a wheelchair, walker, and crutches for three months. Before my medical
leave, gym friends and people I barely knew were giving me cards and presents
to wish me well. I was able to come back to the gym (on crutches) 1 month
later just for physical therapy. Thanks to the motivating presence of my gym
family, particularly the staff, my recovery progressed. I
owe a huge thanks to everyone at The Sports Club/LA for helping me survive
the last year and return to an active, healthy lifestyle.
Katie T.
Boston
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
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
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
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
If you judge by genetics, the odds of my living a long and healthy
life are slim. From dad, a family history of alcoholism and stroke-inducing high
blood pressure. From mom, severe arthritis immobilized my grandmother, and heart
disease plagued my grandfather and took the life of my 34 year old uncle. Since
joining, I realized that my fate is not solely determined by my genes; the choices
I make will affect the length and quality of my life. Reebok Sports Club/NY
has helped me prioritize my health and put me in control of my future.
Stephanie H.
Reebok Sports Club/NY
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
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.
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
On October 17th, I got married. Initially, I set my goal weight at 130 pounds, and
diligently increased my cardio and strength training regime at The Sports Club/LA. I even
became a regular at Definitions. I felt more energetic, confident and healthy. Slowly, my
short sighted goal of my perfect wedding weight melted away; I even stopped weighing myself
daily! Instead, my husband and I set long term fitness and lifestyle goals and started having
date nights at The Sports Club/LA to make workouts more fun. What was the outcome? I walked
down the aisle a svelte 127 pounds.
Bridget M.
New York Upper East Side
