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
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.
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
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 I became depressed, withdrawn and in-turn stopped working out all together.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
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
My pregnancies left me disabled; with my symphyseal joint separated, even turning in bed was extremely painful and walking more than a block impossible. Unable to find my way back from this injury, I enrolled in a post-partum pilates workshop at The Sports Club/LA. Although I was never before an exercise enthusiast, Pilates quickly became for me a life-line to physical well-being, to emotional health. With my committed practice—and with the help of expert trainers at The Sports Club/LA—I've become a stronger and happier person; having my children later in life, I am committed to good health for them—as much as for myself.
Barbara R.
Boston
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
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
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
On December 11, 2008, I lost my job. For the next 10 months of job hunting The Sports Club/LA became not only my gym, but a stress reliever, source of confidence and way to maintain a daily routine. With savings dwindling, it would have been easy to cancel my membership. But I desperately needed the Club more than ever. With every workout I felt accomplished. With each victory on the courts I escaped my job loss. The Sports Club/LA strengthened my mind and body, preparing me to rejoin the workforce. I'm happy to report that I'm now employed… and healthier than ever thanks to The Sports Club/LA.
Garrett D.
New York Upper East Side
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
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
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
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