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.
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
Reebok Sports Club/NY is where I reclaim calm. It's where I
strengthen my body and mind for life's inevitable tests. Whether my attitude is
great or less than stellar, I always love to sweat it out with friends or simply
savor the yoga studio on a snowy day. I pass 11 gyms on my way to this oasis in
the city, including the one in my building. People often ask why I travel so far
to exercise. I tell them it's the best deal in town.
Pamela D.
Reebok Sports Club/NY
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
“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
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.
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
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
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
