As we celebrate our 37th year, we would like to thank all of our members past and present for making us the Northeast’s leader in the health and fitness industry. You’ve fueled our growth from a single club in 1974, to 157 clubs with over 500,000 members and more than 8,000 employees in 2011. We look forward to strengthening this partnership and improving lives through exercise for many years to come.

The early years

When our first club opened its doors in 1974, the tennis wave of the 1960’s had crested and interest in squash was on the upswing. This squash-friendly climate fostered the birth of our Fifth Avenue Squash Club. This midtown Manhattan location was an instant success and the first brick in the foundation of current Sports Clubs network.

We recognized very early on that building a great member experience is more than great equipment and convenient locations. It’s important to have people who motivate, support and guide our members to be their best and achieve their goals. Much of our current success can be traced back to the dedicated, forward-thinking employees of those early years. In fact, three original employees, who began as trainers, are still part of the Sports Clubs team. CEO Bob Giardina, Fitness Specialist Neal Read and VP of Fitness Services Ed Trainor continue to lead and guide us today.

Fitness revolution, Sports Clubs evolution

By the late 70’s, squash fever was waning but a growing interest in health and fitness was taking root. New information validating the benefits of exercise, coupled with breakthrough training methods and equipment, began to alter the public’s perception of how exercise fit into their daily lives. Recognizing this trend early on, our new clubs were built to resemble the diverse, full-service gyms we know today.

In the 80’s and 90’s, as healthy living became a greater priority and demand grew, we responded quickly with a host of new clubs. Throughout the Northeast, dozens of new clubs were built in urban and suburban areas with the goal of putting health and fitness within easy reach of our customers. Our all-access Passport membership became the most popular choice as thousands of members enjoyed convenient exercise both where they lived and where they worked.

Inside the clubs our members were treated to the latest breakthrough equipment and the hottest classes. Game-changing equipment like the Nautilus cross-training circuit and the Lifecycle stationary bike made shaping up easy for newcomers and pros alike. Classes like step aerobics and Spinning® made “getting physical” fun. Pools, basketball courts and kids programs helped families bond while working up a sweat.

Innovation, investment and sponsorship

Building a great member experience through fresh and innovative programs continues to be at the heart of what we do. With that in mind, we’ve introduced TRX® suspension training and the Jersey Core Workout to our already extensive offering of group exercise classes.

We continue to invest in our facilities and equipment to ensure that your club experience meets or exceeds your expectations. This year, every club in the network will receive an allotment of new and replacement cardio and strength equipment. This year also marks the launch of the Sports Clubs Active Network, our new digital entertainment and information system. Cardio equipment outfitted with this interactive, touch screen system will allow you to enjoy TV and music on demand, track your workouts, dock your iPod® and more.

Our sponsorship of community events have encouraged members to get active and have fun while also supporting a good cause. Recent events such as Work Out to Help Out Haiti, Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women and American Diabetes Association Spinathons, have allowed us to lead by example.

Our mission

The evidence is overwhelming. Countless studies show that regular exercise is a key ingredient to living a long and healthy life. Not only does exercise tone your body so you can fit into your “skinny” jeans, it strengthens your muscles, bones and immune system, helps you sleep better, improves your mood and sharpens your brain. We’re committed to improving lives through exercise and that means we’re committed to you. By delivering fresh and innovative programs, first-class facilities and exceptional customer service we want to put the benefits of exercise within easy reach of our members. Whether you are 18 or 87, we’ll be there to help you live your longest, happiest, healthiest life. Let’s grow stronger together - here’s to another 37!