Best workouts: Surf-inspired SURFSET now at Western Athletic Clubs

It's no secret that I like the Western Athletic Clubs (WAC)  with their upscale fitness clubs here in Northern California and I like the folks I've met from there too. In general, they just seem to be smart, forward-thinking people who do things right. As an organization, they promote from within, they seem to spot trends early, and they just seem to have their act together when it comes to fitness.

Which is why I was intrigued by their newest workout programs, and health-oriented fitness offerings for 2013: SURFSET (surfer-inspired) workout, Les Mills GRIT (a high intensity interval training), and Wellness FX  (advanced health diagnostics with trainer-led consultations for insights and recommendations to improve biological health).

I wrote about SURFSET over on Examiner.com. The Les Mills is pretty self-explanatory to anyone who knows the Les Mills system of workouts with choreography that is changed periodically to prevent too much muscle memory.

The Wellness FX intrigues me, and though I don't know a lot about it, it seems to me to be a shrewd move for the chain's upscale membership. I can't vouch for the program, but it seems to have a PBS-type intelligent appeal. I'll be curious to see in a year if it's still being offered.  According to the original press release, WAC CEO Matthew Stevens was credited with the quote that defines Wellness FX as a, "...unique measurement tool [that] helps members track their success. Seventy percent of the data needed for accurate health diagnosis and management is in our blood—and our blood cells regenerate every 120 days. This system allows our members to measure not only the physical changes, but also the biological changes happening within."

Not all the Western Athletic Clubs offer all the new courses, but here are links to the locations: SURFSET, GRIT, and Wellness FX.  

If you get a chance to try any of these, let me know. Meanwhile, here are some photos of a SURFSET class. 

Bay Club Silicon Valley opens August 1, 2012

The Bay Club Silicon Valley opens August 1, and it seemed an appropriate time to write a little about my personal impressions of the club.

 I did an overview piece for San Jose Fitness titled, Bay Club Silicon Valley prepares to open in Cupertino" which talks about the club.You'll see that I like the club, I like the feel of it, and I like that it seems to hit a nice spot for the busy Silicon Valley professional. You can also see what the Cupertino Courier (a Mercury News local edition) had to say about it: Bay Club Silicon Valley Settles in at Vallco

But even after my article ran, friends asked what I REALLY thought about it. Is it outrageously overpriced (no - it's not the cheapest place in town but it's not into the gouge-you territory); is it snooty (not at all - well, members will have some effect but the atmosphere feels good).

Is it family-friendly? Yes, but not the ideal place if you have young children who want to swim, be in sports, etc. There's an urban feel to it, which the club understands well. I saw an article about an upcoming singles mixer there, which seems like an "ah hah" kind of marketing.

And speaking of marketing, what was most impressive to me as a marketing professional is that when I told people I had toured it, no one said, "Oh, I didn't know there was a new club."

The women in my neighborhood (about seven miles from the club) and friends of mine who live in Cupertino had all heard about the club. Just goes to show the power of great marketing. 

I met their marketing chief at the press tour, and she said they did several mailings to a radius of about 15 miles of the club. I think it is more than just the list, of course. Their materials were branded well, good sales tools - overall,  I was impressed.

So far as whether you should try it, if the location works for you (off 280 on Wolff and DeAnza in the Vallco Shopping Center) you should definitely stop by for a tour.