The Sports Club/LA has been recognized as the leader in the fitness industry over the past three decades for the following innovations:
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GROUP EXERCISE
| 1979 | The Sports Club/LA was the first to offer co-ed group exercise classes. The response was overwhelming with thousands of men participating in our classes. |
| 1979 | The first Clubs to offer Yoga classes to members. Yoga was an immediate hit back in 1979. We now have the best BodyMind program found in any Club with an eclectic blend of over 500 classes offered each month, including Tai Chi, Pilates, Chi Gong, Candle Light Stretch, Active Grace, Yogilates, Jivamukti, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Kundalini, Restorative Yoga, Power Yoga, Classical Yoga, and Mind Journey. |
| 1982 | The first Clubs to offer organized continuing education programs for our group exercise staff to further develop their teaching skills. We continue to offer workshops, master classes, and meetings a year to help our group exercise instructors be their best. |
| 1984 | First Clubs to introduce Low Impact classes. |
| 1987 | First Company to require higher standards and national certifications for our instructors. |
| 1987 | First Clubs to offer Step classes. Again, the response was overwhelming. Classes had to be added immediately to keep up with the demand. |
| 1989 | The Sports Club/LA was the first to recognize that there was more to fitness than cardio exercise and added resistance training classes using resistance bands, tubes, bars and dumbbells to improve shape and muscle tone. |
| 1991 | One of the first Clubs to offer dance-based group exercise classes such as Club Jam, Jam & Jazz, Power Jazz, Cardio Salsa and Ballet Body. |
| 1994 | First Clubs to take boxing/kickboxing and incorporate it into main-stream classes. We now have a variety of classes to choose from including CardioKick, Triple Threat, Body Box, Powerstrike and Definitions. |
| 1994 | First to incorporate core strength training into the group exercise program with Pilates-based Mat classes, Flexible Strength and Core Strength. |
| 1995 | The Sports Club/LA was one of the first to offer group cycling classes. All Sports Club Company Clubs offer a wide spectrum of cycling classes, such as Precision Cycling with heart rate monitors, Sunset and Sunrise Cycling on the roof, REV Plus for advanced members, REV Intro for beginners, and REV Intervals. |
| 1995 | First Club to offer outdoor group exercise classes such as Club Hike. We now offer Adventure Sunday and Trekk. |
| 1995 | First to offer live music accompaniment to group exercise classes with DJs, harp, drums and percussion. |
| 1997 | The Sports Club/LA was the first to add athletic/sports based classes such as Boot Camp, RAW and Power Play. |
| 1998 | One of the first Clubs to offer eclectic concept classes combining various exercise modes such as step, boxing, and cardio with body-mind exercise such as tai chi, yoga, meditation. |
| 1998 | First Club to offer Trekking - an indoor group exercise treadmill class. |
| 2000 | First Club to offer special effects group exercise studios with theater lights, variable lighting, and custom mood ceiling treatment. |
| 2000 | First Club to offer high tech, state-of-the-art Computerized Class Schedule on fifty inch plasma screens. |
| 2000 | First Club to offer members an Interactive Class Video on fifty inch plasma screens providing members with vignettes of each class, class descriptions, and class schedule. |
| 2000 | First Clubs to offer core board classes to build agility, core strength and balance. |
| 2000 | First Club to offer Fluidity, a class combining elements of ballet, yoga, pilates, therapeutic movement, and strength training. |
| 2000 | Introduced a whole new concept in aqua exercise with Splash. Specially designed and heated Splash pool provides the ideal environment for group exercise aqua workouts. Our most popular landbased instructors have re-created aqua exercise by taking their classes to the pool ??“ Splash Box, Splash Athlete, BodyMind Splash and Splash Ballet. |
| 2000 | First Club to offer seven group exercise studios within one Club offering members the ultimate selection and variety in group exercise classes as well as the ideal environment for each type of class whether it is BodyMind™, aerobics, REV™, body sculpting, boxing, martial arts, Pilates or specialty classes for children. |
| 2001 | First Clubs to offer private one-on-one training for Yoga, dance, cycling, kickboxing, or any other exercise modality typically found in Group Exercise. |
| 2002 | First Clubs to integrate classes that are specifically designed to restore optimum posture and function - ADVANTAGE Restoration, Body Language, Fluidity. |
| 2003 | First Club to offer Roll & Release, a class that restores optimum function by integrating Self-Myofascial Release with foam rolls - a special self-massage technique performed on a simple piece of foam that increases flexibility, muscular balance and performance while decreasing muscle tension and the risk of fatigue and injury. |
| 2003 | First Club to offer Gyrokinesis™, a class which works the entire body through seven natural elements of spinal movement to increase flexibility, grace and posture. |
| 2006 | The Sports Club/LA's Group Exercise Program is known for its outstanding instructors. We have the industry's most prominent, internationally recognized instructors. Many travel throughout the world presenting workshops, many have their own exercise videos and TV shows, and many have won awards such as IDEA Instructor of the Year. |
| 2006 | First Company to offer the finest and most complete exercise studio environment - from spring-coil suspended flooring to state-of-the-art stereo/microphone systems; from ballet barres to equipment storage and mood lighting. |
| 2006 | We offer over 6,000 different classes a month. |
| 2006 | First Club to offer Indo-Row, an indoor rowing class. |
| 2006 | First Club to offer a comprehensive detoxifying program through Raw Rejuvenation. |
| 2007 | First Club to offer Madd Handles, a class combining hip hop moves and basketball drills. |
| 2008 | First Club to offer Kettlebell classes in a group setting. |
| 2009 | One of the first clubs to offer Hula Hoop, a class utilizing weighted hoops specially designed to target core strength. |
FITNESS
| 1984 | First Clubs to offer private training. Our private training is the most prestigious in the country. |
| 1991 | First Clubs to offer nutritional services with a professional staff of Registered Dieticians. |
| 1992 | First Clubs to offer fitness programs to teens. Introduced our "TeenFit" program. |
| 1992 | Introduced "Young at Heart", our health program for seniors. |
| 1995 | First Clubs to have dedicated, fully equipped Pilates Studios with Pilates Certified Trainers offering private instruction. |
| 1995 | First Clubs to incorporate FitLabs – comprehensive assessment centers to measure strength, endurance, range of motion/flexibility, posture/alignment, balance, resting & target heart rate & blood pressure. |
| 1996 | First Club to offer balance training with our private trainers utilizing stability balls, balance boards, rollers and other specialized balance equipment. |
| 1997 | Created and launched The Sports Club/LA Private Trainer System. A comprehensive program of exercise, eating strategies and nutritional supplementation. |
| 1997 | We were the first Clubs to integrate comprehensive information and guidance on eating strategies as part of each and every members' membership to help them achieve the greatest results in the least amount of time. Every member receives not only an exercise program, but also a customized eating strategy for success. |
| 1997 | First Clubs to inspire Members to achieve the greatest results by holding the PTS Maximum Results Contest. On average, Members lose 7 pounds of fat and gain 2 pounds of lean muscle during the 6 week period. |
| 1998 | First Club to offer complimentary Private Training sessions to every new Member to enhance exercise adherence, results and Member service. |
| 2000 | First Clubs featuring cutting edge audio visual technology in the cardio areas with personalized TV entertainment on every cardio machine. |
| 2000 | First Clubs to integrate Functional Training by offering fully equipped training areas and Private Trainers specifically educated on functional training benefits and program design. |
| 2000 | First Club to offer a comprehensive devoted area for flexibility and balance training equipped with a complete selection of stretch machines and flexibility equipment. |
| 2001 | First Clubs to offer ADVANTAGE, an approach to exercise that rejuvenates muscles, corrects posture, and relieves pain associated with musculoskeletal imbalances. |
| 2001 | First Clubs to offer accurate resting metabolic rate measurements with the state-of-the-art BodyGem. |
| 2002 | One of the first Clubs to have the National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer Certification, the gold standard in Private Trainer education, a required standard for every Trainer, further elevating our Private Trainers expertise and knowledge base. |
| 2002 | The first Clubs to offer Integrated Flexibility Training, a 30 minute private flexibility session with a Private Trainer integrating a variety of stretching modalities with static stretching, neuromuscular stretching, active stretching and self-myofacial release stretching. |
| 2002 | First Clubs offering JAC™ to build better teen athletes. JAC weekend camps and JAC private training sessions offer the same scientifically proven techniques used to train Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. |
| 2002 | One of the first Clubs to offer a comprehensive sports specific private training program utilizing the same scientifically proven techniques used to train Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. Whatever the sport golf, tennis, basketball, soccer, volleyball, hockey, swimming, baseball, football, track & field –Members learn the secrets that will help them maximize their game. |
| 2003 | First Clubs to offer TargetZone to pinpoint the precise heart rate in which an individual burns the most fat to achieve results. |
| 2003 | First Clubs to offer Gyrotonic™ incorporating movement principles from yoga, dance, gymnastics, swimming and Tai Chi. This system stretches and strengthens muscles and the connective tissues in and around the joints of the body. Unique to Gyrotonic™, the circular, spiraling and undulating movements increase the functional capacity of the spine creating increased body awareness and total equilibrium. |
| 2003 | First Clubs to offer Members an extensive scientifically based methodology of postural assessments, dynamic movement screens and activity profiles to create a custom tailored flexibility and strengthening program which is presented in a pictorial workbook with detailed instructions on each exercise. |
| 2007 | First Clubs to offer InBody®, a technologically advanced method to measure body composition. |
| 2008 | First Clubs to offer Members ADVANTAGE Private Trainers, the most highly educated and skilled trainers in the world. |
| 2009 | First Club to offer one-on-one Wellness Coaching |
| 2009 | First Clubs to offer golf specific fitness training by Titleist Performance Institute certified Private Trainers. |
| 2010 | First Club to offer the Woodway EcoMill, a zero electricity treadmill. |
| 2010 | First Club to offer the VibePlate, the latest eveolution of vibration technology. |
| 2010 | First Club to offer the G-Cycle, a heavy duty skating machine that provides each user wih a seamless lateral motion during their workout. |
SPORTS
| Our Sports Department offers great options to have fun in a competitive or recreational environment. Whatever the event, from basketball, volleyball, racquet sports, swimming, golf, tennis, martial arts or rockclimbing, our members have expert instruction and sports specific training available to them. | |
| Our Youth Sports Program includes Campfit, dance, swimming, gymnastics, sports and martial arts. Our coaches are nationally ranked athletes and specialize in childrens' instruction. | |
| 2009 | First Club to offer a fully integrated approach to golf combining golf fitness and professional golf instruction, with the opening of The Golf Academy by The Sports Club/LA – the most scientifically advanced golf training facility in the world. |
FOR KIDS ONLY
| 1987 | First Clubs to implement a whole-child philosophy, focusing on the child's whole development, physical, social, emotional and intellectual. From that strong foundation, we have utilized our sports and fitness expertise to develop our all-encompassing "For Kids Only" Club. |
| 1987 | The first and only Clubs to focus on the ideal environment for children: bright and colorful; safe and secure; unique and innovative design; dance, gymnastics and martial arts studios; computer centers; art areas; separate infant/toddler rooms; and creative equipment for all groups. |
| 1987 | Only Company to staff a team of qualified teachers, teacher assistants, artists and specialists in our Kids Clubs. |
| 1987 | Only Company to implement one of the most innovative and unique philosophies in the industry- we believe children learn through doing. Our programs incorporate hands on, process oriented, multi-media, experiential, and age-appropriate formats and techniques. |
| Only Club to offer Experience the Arts program - a variety of hands-on, multi-media classes developed for children. Instructors are chosen for their talent, creativity and teaching expertise. Classes are presented in a positive, open-ended manner. | |
| 2008 | One of the first Clubs to offer biannual safety events for Members’ children. |
SPORTSMED
| 1996 | We are the first and only multipurpose health and fitness organization which owns and operates exclusive, high-end sports/physical therapy department. |
| 1998 | First Club to offer a Premier Lifestyle and Health Performance program/evaluation (includes 20 page personal wellness profile, VO2 Max testing, hydrostatic body composition analysis, lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, ratios and glucose), strength and flexibility testing, computer assisted agility testing, spirometry (lung function) |
| 1998 | First Club to offer monthly health "Awareness Advice Series" provides members with access to a variety of health and fitness assessments and information on important health issues. |
| 2003 | First Club to offer Intracellular Vitamin Analysis through a comprehensive nutrient blood profile to give Members an accurate measurement of their nutrient intake. |
HUMAN RESOURCES
| 1979 | First in the industry to establish a Vision Statement. |
| 1987 | First in the industry to offer New Team Member Orientation detailing the Vision, Company History, philosophy. |
| 1989 | First in the industry to offer Introduction to Management; covering a further perspective into the Vision, Company History, and philosophy as well as educating Managers on how to motivate, coach and develop Team Members. |
| 1998 | First in the industry to embrace a strength management philosophy by utilizing Talent Plus as a sophisticated approach for selecting the right talent for the right job. |
| 1999 | First in the industry to possess a "direct line" meeting format whereby Team Members have an opportunity to dialogue with management regarding feedback about the Club. |
| 2007 | First in the industry to have every Team Member on a pay for performance compensation plan by implementing a profit sharing bonus plan. |
| 2008 | First to partner with the community each quarter supporting and volunteering at various organizations identified by the Team. |
| 2009 | First to go virtual in the fitness industry. Team Members have full access to HR anytime and anywhere. |
| 2010 | First to partner with LAUSD and NAF (www.naf.org) to create internships for teenagers interested in working within hospitality. |