Join a Country Club for Fitness

A country club isn’t necessarily what you might think to choose when deciding to join a fitness center, but at the San Luis Obispo Country Club you will find not only a first-class fitness center, but also quality personal trainers who will work with you one on one.
 
Situated several miles south of the San Luis Obispo airport, the club lies in an idyllic spot surrounded by low hills and the vineyards of Edna Valley. Membership here caters to the family with activities and programs for all ages. The San Luis Obispo Country Club prides itself on a high service level having a large ratio of professional staff people to members. There is always someone on hand to help or instruct depending on a member’s interest.
 
A state of the art 5,000 square foot fitness center is now available for members and is equipped with the latest exercise equipment and a full staff of personal trainers to assist in individual fitness programs. Personal trainers are all certified and have experience in all aspects of fitness and sports, and members are afforded two complimentary personal training sessions.
 
“This is a boutique fitness center in every sense of the word,” commented Mike Stanton, General Manager and COO of the country club. “Every facet of a fitness program is geared to the specific needs of the individual.”
 
Group exercises are often a way that members choose to satisfy their fitness goals and the Country Club has a number of choices. There are 28 classes per week, including yoga, pilates, cycling, aqua aerobics, spin, zumba, step aerobics, and more.
 
Flex/Balance/Tone is a class utilizing dance techniques and pilates that helps to develop strong muscles and improve balance and flexibility. A good class for golfers, tennis players, and cyclists is Sport Stretch that works on muscles that are tight due to these activities. Weight training is in the forefront of the Core/Muscle class that uses light weight training and an ab/core routine. All age levels can benefit from Aqua Aerobics, a class in the pool for cardio and strength conditioning. Fun-Fu is a great class for children from 5 years old and up. It is a contemporary martial arts class combining fitness and self defense.
 
Members also benefit from the Spa services at the Country Club where they can get a rejuvenating facial and a massage. There are choices of five different massages including Swedish Massage, consisting of long nurturing strokes aiding in circulation, Hot Stone Massage involving use of warm stones to reduce muscles soreness, and Reflexology Massage, concentrating on the hands and feet. Sports massage focuses on the specific sport or workout being done and Deep Tissue, targets the deeper muscles of the body.
 
Golf is, naturally, an important aspect of club membership and play on this 18-hole course is augmented with the services of golf professionals. To foster a little competition and make the game more fun, various tournaments are held throughout the year for members and their guests.
 
Every November the Straight Down Fall Classic professional golf tournament is held at the club. This competition pairs a professional golfer with an amateur for two days of intense play. The public is invited to come out and view this event.
 
Tennis is another sport that members and their guests can enjoy. The Country Club has six courts available for play. Certified tennis professionals offer lessons for juniors and adults.
 
The year-round heated pool is a popular place and the Country Club has many programs such as the Fun in the Sun Camp for children. This program features water activities, fitness and crafts. Swimming lessons emphasizing water safety are also offered for young children to learn how to swim.
 
There is recreational swimming for adults and children over 17 years of age. Younger children must be supervised by an adult. A nice multi-faceted program for juniors is the golf/tennis/swim camp for ages five to 12. The kids obtain basic instruction in all three sports from qualified instructors and have a fun time in the process.
 
Club Care is a child care service for club members where they can drop off their children while they pursue club activities. Fun arts and crafts, games, books and toys keep the kids busy and entertained in a friendly environment under professional supervision.
 
“We have lots of programs for members’ children,” Stanton said, “such as cardboard boat races, junior tennis, and outdoor movies. We conduct sleepovers too and in February the kids really enjoy ‘slip and slide’ out on the grass.” Qualified staff members supervise all children’s activities.
 
Adult members don’t miss out on fun either. They get to enjoy the ambiance of the clubhouse and there are wine dinners, bingo games, bridge and more. Throughout the year there are exciting parties and group mixers. Members can also host their own functions at the Club.
 
Food is available throughout the day from early bird breakfast in the bar or Fireside Room to lunch and dinner at the restaurant.  A snack bar also offers limited breakfast and lunch.
 
The country club offers four tiers of membership: Golf, Tennis, Fitness, and Clubhouse. A golf membership allows members access to all the club’s offerings. A tennis membership includes use of the tennis courts, the fitness center, the pool, and the clubhouse. A fitness membership includes the fitness center, the pool and the clubhouse. A clubhouse-only membership lets those members dine and attend all the social gatherings.
 
One thing is for certain; this is one country club that offers a diversity of activities in a beautiful and peaceful environment for members of all ages and stages.
 
San Luis Obispo Country Club is located at 255 Country Club Drive in San Luis Obispo. They can be reached by phone or online: (805) 543-3400 or slocountryclub.com.
 
By Ruth Ann Angus

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