That’s what acac holiday fitness is all about, realistic routines that fit your life, not the other way around.

Why Staying Active Matters During the Holidays

The holidays can feel like an endurance event in their own right, late nights, rich food and drink, and constant movement that unfortunately usually doesn’t count as exercise. But a few quick workouts can make a big difference. Staying active helps manage stress, keeps energy levels steady, and maintains strength you’ve worked for all year long.

When you see it as balance rather than punishment, exercise suddenly feels much more manageable. A 20-minute workout can do more for your focus and mood than an extra cup of coffee or another scroll through your phone. When schedules are tight, short workouts help you stay grounded both mentally and physically, so you can actually enjoy the holiday season instead of just powering through it. We’ll look at three workouts that are quick and effective.

3 Quick Workouts to Keep Your Strength Up

Even with limited time, like waiting in the airport for your late flight, or in the hotel room, you can squeeze in session that counts. Try one of these short workouts, no gym marathon required.

1. Total-Body Circuit (No Equipment Needed)
Set a timer for 20 minutes and cycle through these exercises:

• 15 squats
• 10 push-ups
• 20 walking lunges
• 30-second plank
• 10 burpees

Repeat the circuit 3–4 times with minimal rest. It’s quick, sweaty, and gets your heart rate up while hitting every major muscle group. If your body says “no” to burpees try jump squats, mountain climbers, jumping jacks or march in place.

2. Dumbbell Power Session
At the gym grab a set of moderate weight dumbbells and perform:

• 10 goblet squats
• 10 bent-over rows
• 10 shoulder presses
• 10 Romanian deadlifts

Rest 30 seconds between rounds. Go for 4–5 total. It’s simple, efficient, and keeps your strength base solid even when you’re short on time.

3. Group Strength Class or HIIT
If you’re near to your acac club, jump into a group strength class. You’ll get guidance, energy, and accountability, plus a few well-timed groans when the instructor adds “just one more round.” Group fitness is one of the easiest and fun ways to stay consistent through the holidays.

No-Equipment Options for Travel Days

No gym? No problem. Pack a resistance band or use your own bodyweight, both go a long way when you’re on the move.

• Hotel Room Routine –��Alternate 15 squats, 10 push-ups, and 20 jumping jacks for 10 minutes.
• Airport Stretch Break –��March in place, shoulder rolls, and calf raises keep blood flowing during long delays.
• Outdoor Reset –��Go for a brisk 15-minute walk or jog wherever you are.

These small movements keep stiffness at bay and maintain your rhythm until you’re back in your normal fitness routine.

Time-Saving Tips for a Holiday Fitness Routine

You don’t need more hours in the day, just smarter use of the ones you already have. Try these quick adjustments to make your workouts stick.

1. Schedule Them Like Appointments.
If it’s on your calendar, it’s more likely to happen. Treat a 20-minute workout like a meeting you cannot skip. Keep your gym bag packed and ready in the car.

2. Combine Cardio and Strength.
Think of compound moves like squats with presses or lunges with curls, they raise your heart rate and build strength in half the time.

3. Add Micro Workouts.
Ten push-ups before your shower. A one-minute plank before bed. A few air squats while dinner’s in the oven. These moments add up more than you think.

The point isn’t perfection, it’s movement. Consistency keeps you feeling good through the holidays and helps you avoid the dreaded January “starting over” feeling.

How acac Helps You Stay Consistent

At acac, we get that your time is limited, especially this time of year. That’s why acac holiday fitness options are designed to keep things simple, efficient, and motivating.

Pop in for a quick class, jump into a group fitness class, or work one-on-one with a trainer who can customize short workouts around your schedule. Our gyms are open around your schedule, with amenities that make it easier to fit in a session, from child care to clean locker rooms and equipment that’s always ready to go.

And if you’re traveling or juggling events, our trainers can help you map out an easy at-home or travel-day plan that keeps you on track until the decorations come down.

Try a workout at acac!

Whether you’ve ten minutes or an hour, movement is what keeps you going through the winter, and we’ll help you make the most of it. Stop by your nearest  or grab a  to try a quick workout that fits your holiday schedule.

Stay strong, focused and remember, fitness doesn’t take a holiday, but it can absolutely fit into one!

The post Stay Strong Through the Holidays: Quick Workouts for a Busy Season appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

Dolphin Swim School | October | Albemarle Square

Our full fall schedule returns to Albemarle Square with 8-week sessions available Monday – Thursday, and Saturdays – Sundays. Now offering sessions through December. To view available class times or register, please email Coach Sam at as-swimlessons@acac.com. We can’t wait to see you in the water! 

Kids Night Out | Adventure Central | November 8

Give your kids a night to remember while you get to relax! Our Kids Night Out is for children ages 5-12 years old, who are ready to enjoy games, big room play, and a chance to hang out with their friends at acac Adventure Central. Get your well-deserved me time on November 8 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Dinner will include a choice of buttered noodles or noodles with red sauce, bread, and juice. Secure your spot today. Space is Limited. Email ashliec@acac.com to sign up.

Members: FREE | Non-Members: $15

Healthy Horizons Luncheon | November 12

Are you having trouble sleeping? Learn how you can manage it on November 12, and join us in the acac Albemarle Square conference room for an informative presentation. Ellen Wermter, FNP-BC, DBSM, a Family Nurse Practitioner and Behavioral Sleep Specialist, will talk with us on how we can evaluate our sleep. Space is limited; sign up at the acac Albemarle Square front desk starting November 1. Email Patti Binard at patriciab@acac.com if you have any questions.

Name That Tune | Albemarle Square | November 13

Get ready to test your ears! Join us so you can Name That Tone on November 13 in the acac Albemarle Square Lobby from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm for the ultimate sound showdown, where you’ll guess songs, artists, and famous sound bites with your friends. From classic hits to today’s top tracks, this free guest event is here to test your knowledge. Build teams of up to 4 people. Register on the member portal/app. For questions, email Mitch at mitchellg@acac.com.

Chili Cookoff | Albemarle Square | November 19

Tis’ the season for a cozy cup of chili! But who can make the most delicious pot of chili at acac Albemarle Square? Join us in the Cafe on November 19, from 11:30am to 1:00pm to taste the best from our acac team members and Chili connoisseurs. Free samples will be available. Full servings can be purchased from the Cafe. The winner of this grand cookoff will be decided by YOU: our members! No registration required.

More events to come!

The post November – January Club Calendar – Charlottesville appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

Exercise gives you energy, sharpens your focus, and keeps you steady when life gets crazy. The good news? You don’t have to overhaul your entire life. Small, steady habits can fit into the rhythm you already have, and fall is the perfect season to start.

Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Reset Your Routine

There’s something about fall that naturally feels like a reset. The air cools, the days settle into more predictable rhythms, and the start-of-school energy makes everything feel structured again.

Fall fitness can be easier to maintain than summer, when travel, vacations, and long, hot days throw off routines. By taking advantage of cooler mornings, steadier schedules, and that back-to-school momentum, you can prioritize wellness without feeling like you’re squeezing it into an impossible calendar.

Time-Saving Strategies for Busy Parents and Professionals

Making room for fitness doesn’t have to mean blocking off two hours a day. The truth is, the smaller, consistent choices often matter most. Even 20–30 minutes of movement can give you the energy boost you need to power through a long day.

Some simple ways to fit exercise and healthy habits into a packed schedule:

1. Short workouts count.��A quick strength circuit, a yoga flow, or a brisk lunchtime walk can be just as effective as a long session.
2. Put it on the calendar.��Treat workouts like meetings. If it’s scheduled, you’re more likely to protect that time.
3. Prep food in batches.��Chop vegetables ahead of time, grill extra chicken, or make overnight oats so weekday meals don’t feel like a scramble.
4. Use hidden pockets of time.��Early mornings before the day gets away from you, or a lunch break that doubles as a reset, can be surprisingly effective.

When you make little tweaks, getting more fitness time becomes much easier. These strategies keep family health and wellness on track without demanding more hours than you have to give.

Building Family-Friendly Fitness Habits

One of the easiest ways to stay active during a busy season is to fold fitness into the time you already spend with your family. When movement becomes part of family life, it feels less like another chore and more like fun quality time. Kids also pick up on those habits, seeing exercise as a normal and fun part of everyday living.

Ideas to keep everyone moving and engaged:

• Make weekends active.��Go for a family walk, bike ride, or hike. Even yard games, outdoor chores, or a pickup basketball game count.
• Cook together.��Involve kids in preparing healthy fall meals. Even little ones can wash veggies or help assemble tacos.
• Keep it playful.��Dance in the kitchen, set up an obstacle course in the backyard, or challenge the kids to a push-up contest.
• Mix it up.��Try new activities so everyone stays interested. Bowling one week, a pumpkin patch walk the next.

When fitness feels fun, it stops being another “task” and becomes something your family looks forward to. Those moments build healthy habits that can last long after the season ends.

Leveraging ACAC’s Classes, Programs, and Childcare

Of course, sometimes you need the space to focus fully on yourself! And that’s where acac comes in.

• Group fitness and small group training sessions give you energy, variety, and community all at once.
• On-site childcare means parents don’t have to choose between their workout and their kids’ safety.
• can help with goals and keep you on track. Having a coach who knows your goals and checks in on your progress can be the difference between “I’ll try tomorrow” and “I did it today!”

��acac is built to support you no matter where you’re starting from or how full your schedule already feels.

Staying Consistent Through the Season

The biggest secret to lasting change isn’t intensity or how hard you work out, it’s consistency. Set goals that fit your life instead of overwhelming it. Maybe that’s two workouts a week to start, or swapping one takeout night for a family cooked meal.

Let’s make fall the season of fresh starts. Our team can help you find your rhythm with classes, programs, and a supportive community that makes it all seem doable. 

Claim your for $10 and see how simple, consistent steps this season can set you up for a healthier, more energized you.

The post Healthy Fall Habits: Balancing Work, Family, and Fitness appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

The Challenge of Staying Fit as a Parent 

Parent life is busy enough without adding “find an hour to exercise” to the list. Between carpools, meal prep, and late-night homework checks, carving out time for yourself can feel indulgent, but it’s not. That hour is fuel for you. It helps you return to your family with extra energy, patience, and focus, making it just as important as any other task on your calendar.��

Family-Friendly Amenities at ACAC 

For parents, choosing a gym often involves more than comparing equipment or class schedules. It needs to work with your life, and children are a big part of that. A family fitness gym like acac is designed to support both adult wellness and child and youth development, and we do this through our convenient amenities, friendly staff, and amazing programs.   

is the heart of it all. Safe, friendly, and staffed by our carefully screened team members, it’s a place your kids will actually want to go to. Adventure Central offers year-round programs filled with safe, noncompetitive activities. 

Programs are structured and enriching. Depending on the season or time of day, children can take part in: 

• Summer camps that combine creativity, activity, and social development��

• Kid’s Night Out events that give parents a break while kids enjoy themed evenings��

• After-school programs that mix movement, play, and learning��

• Supervised play sessions for younger children in a safe, nurturing environment��

Kids Zone at ACAC 

Kids Zone offers safe, drop-in childcare for members with children as young as 6 weeks old up to 12 years old. With age-appropriate toys, crafts, and plenty of room to play, your little ones stay active and entertained while you recharge. It is available during convenient morning and evening hours. Hours may vary by location; check your local club for all the details.  ��

All the Ways Kids Can Stay Active 

From youth fitness classes to seasonal camps and structured programs, kids get purpose, play, and connection through a wide variety of activities. 

• Preschoolers learn coordination through fun games and guided movement��

• Grade schoolers build strength and confidence in group activities��

• Tweens and teens can discover the joy of fitness through classes and programs��

Why Parents Love Training at ACAC 

Parents love the peace of mind that comes with on-site childcare. There is no rushing across town, no last-minute babysitter texts. Check in and head straight into your class. 

With a family gym membership, you have access to a wide range of fitness equipment, group classes, and amenities. acac is a complete family-centered fitness experience. When everyone is supported, wellness becomes a habit, not a hassle.  

Tips for Creating a Family Fitness Routine 

Want to make family fitness stick? Try these parent-tested strategies: 

1. Make it fun for everyone! Find activities the whole family enjoys and rotate them to keep things fresh.��

2. Set realistic goals. Start small and build from there. Use the for greater success.��

3. Integrate fitness into daily life. Look for opportunities to be active in your daily routine, like walking instead of driving or doing active chores together.��

4. Schedule it and be consistent. Put your family’s fitness time on a calendar and treat it like a serious appointment.��

5. Plan for all weather and have a backup plan for rainy days, such as indoor activities like dancing or fitness videos.��

6. Choose a gym that works for everyone. A gym for families like acac gives you the flexibility to shape your schedule around real life.��

7. ��Align workouts with childcare windows. Use ��������’s on-site childcare or Adventure Central programs to schedule workouts that don’t disrupt your family’s flow. Your kids are entertained, you get your sweat in, and everyone wins.��

Don’t forget to celebrate the small wins as a family. Enjoy a healthy dinner out or cheer for making it through Monday without missing a workout. Recognizing the effort helps keep motivation strong. 

Make Fitness Work for Your Whole Family – Join ACAC Today 

Ready to make movement part of your family’s lifestyle? acac takes the stress out of staying active as a parent by offering the resources, programs, and space you need to prioritize your health and your kids’ well-being. 

Curious about membership options? and stay in the loop on events and wellness tips by  

The post Fitness for Families: How to Keep Kids Active While You Train�� appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

Why Indoor Fitness Is a Smart Summer Move

High temperatures can make exercise outdoors not only uncomfortable but risky. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sunburn are common concerns during outdoor summer workouts, especially in the middle of the day. But staying active is still important for your energy, strength, and overall well-being.

Indoor workouts let you avoid weather-related obstacles without sacrificing your routine. At acac, you’ll find cool, climate-controlled spaces where you can move comfortably and focus on your goals.

Climate-Controlled Spaces Make All the Difference

Searching for a “gym near me” that doesn’t feel like a sauna? acac locations in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina are designed to keep you cool while you work up a sweat. With clean, air-conditioned facilities and plenty of space to stretch, move, and recharge, every visit helps you feel your best.

Each acac club is equipped with the tools and amenities you need to stay consistent and see results, including state-of-the-art strength and cardio equipment, studios for group classes, and expert support when you need it.

Variety of Group Fitness Classes

If you’re looking to add some fun and variety to your workouts, our group fitness classes make it easy. With options like HIIT, barre, yoga, Pilates, cycling, and dance-inspired workouts, there’s always something new to try.

Classes are led by motivating instructors who help you stay focused and challenged in a supportive setting. And because they’re scheduled throughout the day, you can find a time that works for you and your busy schedule, whether you’re a morning person or prefer an evening sweat session.

Pool, Strength & Cardio – It’s All Indoors

Looking for ways to stay active without overheating or getting a sunburn? The indoor swimming pool at select acac locations offers a refreshing way to build endurance, strength, and flexibility. Swim laps, take an aqua fitness class, or simply enjoy a low-impact workout that’s easy on your joints.

If the pool’s not your thing, no problem. Our clubs include cardio zones with treadmills, ellipticals, and rowers, as well as free weights, resistance machines, and dedicated spaces for strength training. It’s all indoors, so you can focus on your fitness without battling the elements.

Stay on Track with Personal Training & Programs

Sometimes, a little expert guidance can make all the difference. acac offers personal training and specialty programs tailored to your needs, perfect for those focused on weight loss, building strength, improving mobility, or simply getting back into a healthy routine.

Our certified trainers take the time to understand your goals and design a plan that fits your lifestyle. With the right support, it’s easier to stay motivated and keep moving forward with your fitness goals.

Ready to Cool Down and Power Up?

There’s no need to pause your fitness goals during the summer months. acac gives you everything you need to stay cool, consistent, and committed to your health. From group fitness classes and cardio workouts to personal training and our indoor swimming pools at select locations, it’s all under your local acac roof.

Want to learn more about how you can beat the heat with your fitness routine this summer? Find your nearest and explore our offerings and membership options.

Disclaimer: Indoor pools are available at select acac locations. Please check with your local club for availability and scheduling.

The post Stay Cool This Summer with Indoor Fitness at acac appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

And while most people know popular cardio exercises, there’s still a lot of misinformation and mystery behind these types of exercises.

Is it the best exercise for weight loss? Should you do cardio every day? What cardio exercise is the best?

If these are the types of questions you have about cardio, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’re going to answer the top 6 common cardio questions in order to shed light on this beloved type of exercise, as well as give you recommendations for how to improve your cardiovascular endurance with the help of !

The Top 6 Common Cardio Questions Explained

There’s nothing more frustrating than having someone tell you to do a particular exercise, but not tell you why.

We find this happens a lot with cardio. In general, cardio is a super workout, but its notoriety has also left people a little confused as there’s both so much and so little information about what cardio is and if it’s right for you.

We do always recommend speaking to a healthcare physician or certified personal trainer for your unique health needs before starting a workout regimen.

Below, we’ve answered the top 6 questions we get about cardio!

What are the Benefits of Cardiovascular Fitness

Cardiovascular exercise is incredibly beneficial for improving a variety of different functions, including:

• Development of muscular strength
• Improved mobility
• Flexibility
• Weight reduction
• Reducing the risk of heart disease
• Lowering cholesterol

A few non-physical benefits of cardio, include:

• Lowering cortisol levels
• Increase energy
• Meet new people

How Often Should You Do Cardio Workouts?

According the, everyone should aim for doing some form of cardiovascular exercises 5-7 days a week for a minimum of 30-minutes.

What is the Best Type of Cardio Exercise?

While there is no right answer to this question, as everyone has different capabilities, preferences, and needs, there are three different types of aerobic exercises most personal trainers will recommend for anyone trying to prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, or weight gain:

• Walking
• Running
• Biking
• Swimming
• Skiing
• HIIT
• Rowing

What is the Difference Between Cardio and Strength Training?

While cardio and strength training are two very important parts of a healthy lifestyle and exercises routine, they serve different purposes.

Strength training is utilized more as a way to build muscle and bone strength, whereas cardio is used to improve muscular endurance.

How Important is Cardio for Losing Weight?

While cardio, in the moment, will help burn extra calories, the best results come from combining cardio with a strength training regimen, as this can help you continue to burn calories after you’ve finished working out.

How Can I Get a Cardio Assessment?

In order to see how hard you should be working, you’ll need to determine your target heart rate. This can either be done on your own or with the help of a certified personal trainer who can provide you with a fitness assessment and create a routine that’s right for you!

Looking for Your Perfect Cardio Exercise? Join ACAC Today!

If you’re ready to increase your cardiovascular endurance in time for summer, then head to ACAC where our knowledgeable experts can help you in achieving your fitness and lifestyle goals! Enjoy world class, luxury amenities and state-of-the-art equipment that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

and be a part of the ACAC family!

The post Cardiovascular Fitness Explained: We’re Answering Your Most Common Cardio Questions appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

January Cafe Special | Overnight Oats | $7.50 at the cafe all month long!
Warm up and start your morning right with a protein-packed bowl of overnight oats. Blueberry or Strawberry flavors.

January Spa Special | $40 Winter Manicures | Email Ashley to Book Appointment
Winter is the perfect time to show your hands a little TLC.

January 1 | Kids Night Out | $35 per child
Kids ages 3+ have a blast in a safe environment! Pizza, games and fun are had by all.

January 5 | Team Clean Day | Various locations, all day
Team acac will be out in full-force giving the club a much needed deep clean. Please pardon our dust and be mindful of work in progress!

January 7 | 8:00 – 10:00am | Hip Opening Workshop | with trainer Sarah S.
Learn exercise to keep your hips open and feel refreshed.

The post January 2024 Club Calendar – Midlothian appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

First and foremost: Awesome January! The clubs were busy, all of our departments had great months, and we crushed our membership and personal training goals. Keep up the great work!

For many industries, guarding trade or operational secrets is part of doing business. Within the fitness industry however, sharing of best practices is commonplace. Many leaders participate in small round table groups of fellow club owners and operators. acac has participated in these meetings for many years and lessons learned have been put into practice at our clubs.

One of the most interesting club owners in the country just exited my round table earlier this year and his own story is worth sharing. Red Lerille has been in the club business for almost 60 years and is as passionate about his club today as he was when it was founded. I am pretty sure there will never be another quite like Red, so we all don’t need to start waking up at 2:30 AM every day for our workouts like he does. However, we can all take something away from how he runs his club and how he lives. Check out this video to learn more about Red (Note: the first 30 seconds are just an intro):

After watching this, I still have no idea how Red manages to pursue all of his passions with such dedication. He certainly embodies our acac core value of continuous improvement. Red inspires me to move more quickly to deliver value to our members and our team.  If we find things that need to be done, let us all have a bias for action. 

Being proactive to solving problems as a team will be even more important during this busy time of year. Our members and guests will notice and appreciate the efforts you all make to keep our club clean and make them feel welcome. We can all take the time to close a locker door, take a full towel bin to the laundry or pick up trash from the floor. Our clubs are some of the best in the country, so let’s all continue to chip in to keep them looking great.

You may all remember that we set a target of 25,000 memberships last year. With the addition of our Greenville clubs, we now have a new number to reach: 30,000 memberships. Currently, our clubs have roughly 27,500 total memberships and we are growing each month. I will keep everyone updated on the progress we make throughout the year. I have no doubt we will hit our company wide goal soon!

Thank you all for your continued hard work and dedication to our acac family,

Chris

Good News January 2023

Greenville:

Aquafit class in SportsClub Five Forks.  This class had all the decorations, costumes, great music and even a snack.

SportsClub Greenville’s disco party

Group Fitness Super Launch

Albemarle Square

Surprise birthday gathering for Shaine, from housekeeping, with Victoria, Shaine, Dyland, Dom and Mike

AS & DT

Cville Lifeguard gathering: Lala and Lydia from Downtown, Steve, Michael and Annie as well as Jonathan (pool maintenance) and 91��ɫ Director Sam, GM Mike Battle

Albemarle Square

Our Marketing Director, Cassy shared her birthday with a nice brunch prepared by our Cafe Director, Lauren.  Good times, good laughs and good food were had by all that registered after a rigorous workout.  Cassy, way to promote that job security.  Work them out and then increase that caloric intake.   

Another birthday celebration came by the way of our own opening lifeguard, John Nowell.  He is our opening lifeguard (4:30am) 4 days each week. 

An Albemarle Square member dropped off these cute little bears, overflow from a charity drive.  Giving these out to our Kids Zone kids made their day. 

Downtown Baby Photo Game

Downtown NFL gear

Short Pump

The 91��ɫ Team in Short Pump went to The Virginia Axe Company, for our annual holiday outing on January 7th.

Picture us doing target practice with axes, spears & throwing stars! It was a great time for bonding and hanging out as a team outside of our acac home. Some of us were better at throwing than others; we definitely all either learned a new skill, or what not to do.

Ta-da!” Asanas and all, Team Group Ex really put on quite a spectacle of a show, last Saturday with the Les Mills Mega Launch. The members, and some of their guests, did a mini-marathon of classes to new moves, music and motivation, thanks to our stellar instructor team of talent: Jeanette, Laura, Priya, Steffanie and Joy, led by GE leader, Leigh. Every class, from start to finish, was well-attended and the whole morning went like clock-work. It felt like the days of old but with a fresh new, exciting vibe! The energy was epic. Way to kick off the year, team!

 SP Team getting ready for Ber’s Bowl!

West Chester

A special thanks to Liz Salloum who decorated the front desk to represent our Eagles Spirit! 

The post January 2023 Team Newsletter appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

Although I enjoy the summer, I truly look forward to this time of year when the leaves change and fill the horizon with color (at least until they fall off the trees and cause me to fire up the leaf blower again). I am always excited to watch my Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team in the fall and catch some playoff baseball too. For my three Australian Shepherds, fall is also sweet relief from the heat and humidity of the summer months.

I think most of us spend our time looking forward to things, whether it be a season, a vacation, event, or simply a visit with family and friends. With respect to our business, I feel like I have been personally guilty of looking backwards far too often these past couple of years. Often trying to recover what was lost, rather than focusing on the present or on what the future may hold. What comes next? How can we meet the changing needs of our communities? What can we do today to improve the lives of those whom we serve? In the coming months this will be the focus of our strategic thinking: learn from the past, embrace the now, and chart an optimistic course toward a more prosperous future for acac.

We have placed orders for more than $500,000 in new equipment across all of our clubs in the past few months, with more still to come. Some of the new renovations have come online, including new Pilates rooms at Downtown and Albemarle Square, new functional training room Downtown, and more to come elsewhere soon. Much of this is “catch up” from the past few years of fewer purchases, some of it is reimagining of our fitness floors. Have most of you noticed that our free weight and functional areas are super busy but cardio equipment usage has dropped from a few years ago? Look for some improvements to group exercise rooms in the not-so-distant future as well…

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new friends from Greenville, South Carolina. I heard that some of our team did not receive the announcement that acac had purchased the three Sportsclub facilities in the Greenville area in August. I think I had too many pictures in the email so it bounced back. My apologies to those who had to hear about the news from our members! These clubs are amazing, with loyal members, a great team, and huge potential. Welcome to the team Sportsclub!

I also have some bittersweet news to announce this month. acac has sold the Timonium club to Coppermine Health and Fitness, a regional fitness operator in Baltimore. Coppermine officially takes ownership on November 1. With only one facility in the Baltimore area, we felt the best chance of continued success for our Timonium community would be to sell to a group that has a larger presence in the region, offering increased opportunities for the team and for the members. To the team, thank you all for your dedication and resilience over these past 7 years, it has been a pleasure working with you.

We work in a truly special industry, where we help our members and guests improve their mental and physical well-being every day. Keep up the great work and good luck battling the leaves!

In Health,

Chris

Thank you to all of our clubs for some awesome submissions this month!

West Chester

A Big Congrats!

Al Cushman, 91��ɫ Team Member & MOD, recently got engaged

Welcome Back, Katie!

Marketing Director Katie G. returned to the club after welcoming her first child. Say hello to precious Lily Maeve Gwinn!

Short Pump

New Team Member

Welcome to our newest Dept. Head, Housekeeping Director, T.J. Moore, who comes to acac with many years of environmental services and management experience. Says T.J., who’s also a father of 3, himself, and an avid bowler, “I look forward to making a difference!” Be sure to say hello and introduce yourself, when you see him. Welcome to acac, T.J.!

From a SP member:

“Just wanted to share a compliment for Julie Donathan’s Thursday routine.  First, she had the moves posted.  The teacher in me appreciates that.  The short 30 second moves kept the pace and the music was fun.  We were moving the whole time.”

Here’s dynamic duo, Julie (mentioned above) and her pool partner, Steffanie, showing them how it’s done, in the recent WATERinMOTION launch! “Splash ON, Team!”

Zoo Party

It looked a bit like a Disney movie with all the animal characters in attendance at the Kids Zone crew’s Zoo Party. Another stellar night of fun from the team, that continually earns rave reviews from our members on Medallia.

Pies in the Sky

If you missed the Pie the PT rooftop event and fundraiser, it was quite a spectacle and a weather-perfect night! Trainers, Ed, Caroline, Jenny, Zach and Leo, led by PT Director, Lisa S., took one (or two) for the team and for their own charitable causes, raising not only spirits but over $2000 in donations. “Not bad for a few hours work!” said Lisa! I’ll say!  Here are a few of the pie-lights.

 (Only fitness professionals participated as live targets and none, that we know of, were harmed during this event) 

We’ve Got Game

We were a little over midway through our former member referral month and our goal, when the membership team did their part with this pitch ‘n play on the Group Ex level. Check out member Chip and his solid form, which earned him a raffle ticket for a free month.

Rooftop Trivia Game Night

Pool Deep Cleaning at Short Pump

Short Pump Wedding Anniversary

Our own Ike P. and his lovely wife Vickie just celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary! Congrats, you two, and many more happy years together! Ike, who recently just turned 73 years young, works at acac as a personal trainer, MOD and fitness specialist.

Wild-Wild West Night!

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer

The annual Cookies for Kids’ Cancer bake sale took place September 8^th at both Short Pump and Midlothian; together, acac Richmond raised over $7,000! All proceeds go to pediatric cancer research.

Legacy Cup

Teams from Midlothian and Short Pump competed in the Legacy Cup Games – what fun!

Midlothian

Friendly Friday Fun

Friendly Fridays were a hit once again.  Wendy and Vicki hosted some fun nights with Michael and the Café Team knocking it out of the park, offering some awesome menu items paired with the themes.  The lines were long yet fast and families had a blast!

Congrats to the Dolphins

Swim Team had another successful season led by Gwen and the Coaches, staying undefeated and winning Champs once again. Kellie made sure we stayed organized so our many swimmers and their families could enjoy the event. Here’s the team getting hype with their pre-meet chant. “We are the Dolphins.  Couldn’t be prouder. If you can’t HEAR US YELL A LITTLE LOUDER!!!!

Testimonial from a summer camp parent:

“Good morning, FIRST OF ALLLLLL The fact that my child came RUNNING to my car yesterday evening yelling, THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!!!! HAHAHA!! Best day ever!! I know you have MANY kiddos at camp this year, but your counselors really went above and beyond to make her feel VERY special and loved. She jumped up this morning, excited to go back again. So THANK YOU so much!!! As a working mom, I sometimes feel guilty in the summer making her get up early, etc… So the fact that she is so happy and was pushing ME out the door this morning, saying you guys were “waiting for her” ….really is simply AWESOME!!!”

Timonium

Outdoor Cycle Event

Cheryl and Joaquin take cycling outdoors. This is #2 Outdoor Cycle Ride for members – 17 miles on the NCR Trail!

Ravens Pride!!

Ashley and Nurse Steve putting up lights for Purple Fridays (Ravens)

Pool Time

A Helping Hand

Trainer Julie H. helps a member by escorting her around the club.

Albemarle Square

Celebrity Visit 

Celebrity trainer Chris Powell visited Albemarle Square in August. Chris is well known for his Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge television show a few years ago. The reason for his visit? Our own member, Dana Wilson won the Weight Loss Challenge on his APP, dropping 75 lbs. in 15 months. Part of her reward was a visit and workout with Chris, who flew in from Arizona. Chris and Dana are wonderful people, truly invested in the experience. We are lucky to have Dana with us along with a visit from Chris.  Please congratulate her if you see her – she is so appreciative of acac! 

AS Pool resurfacing – WOW!

Happy Birthday to You!

Member Services team member, Dom, Celebrated his 21^st birthday the acac Way!

Only 2 days after brain surgery, Jimmy Casella came to the club greet his acac family

From Albemarle Square spin instructor Turk Hull:

“In regards to your email about pics that bring smiles…Here’s a little something that brings a smile to my face…one of our members, Marilyn Owens, made it to all 3 of my spin classes last week!! She is such an inspiration and a lot of fun to have in class! I wanted to recognize her efforts so we celebrated her accomplishment today in class!”

Team visiting AS Facilities Director Jonathan Miller after shoulder surgery

Downtown

Facilities Director Daniel Gumm lending a hand in Kids Zone

End of summer rooftop party!

Finally from Timonium James Ray’s newly adopted dog, Niko is our pet of the month….looks like a pretty fierce little man!

The post October 2022 Team Newsletter appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

Naturally, this makes me think about our own clubs and what kind of environment we want to create for our members and guests.  For someone who has never joined a club or has been a member of another facility, how can we make them feel welcome inside of our walls? The founding principal of acac was to build a fitness and wellness center that allows everyone to find success along their fitness journey.  It does not matter where you are from, or your skill level, or how ambitious your workout goals may be.  We will always strive to be a club where everyone can have the opportunity to explore what it means to live your best.

Like me, I am sure most of you have spent most of your lives inside of the United States. The perspective we have of what it would be like to move here from somewhere else is limited.�� Similarly, many of you have only been a part of one fitness organization, and in some cases have never been inside of another club.�� I am here to tell you that we have a pretty special club group and you don’t have to take my word for it.�� Just last week I received this note from a recent visitor to our West Chester club:��

“Let’s just say I wish I had a club like that near us! I dropped the kids off 4/5 days we were in town and took advantage of the Kid’s Club – which was so easy! My husband even joined me one day and worked from the lobby. Such a great experience.”

I am proud to work for acac and proud to be part of such an amazing team.

We are welcoming many new faces around acac including new VP of Fitness Andrew Becker and Jamie Hamler who will be the Regional Manager for our Sportsclub facilities in Greenville, SC.  For the first time since 2020, we have filled all of our open leadership positions, which will no doubt have a positive impact on the future growth and continued quality of our brand. 

There is also a ton in store for the next few months, many equipment upgrades, and some major renovations, like to our Short Pump fitness center.  New group cycle bikes finally made their way to our Greenville clubs after a nearly 5 month wait!  Last but not least, we are on pace to hit our 30,000 membership goal between now and the end of the year, which will be a nice cause for celebration. 

I hope you all have a great 4^th of July and enjoy this month updates from around acac!

Chris

Downtown – Cuteness Overload!

Pets of the month!

Check out our Regional Marketing Director’s Guinea Pigs. Cassy has shared a photo of her lovely furry friends, Snowball & Biscuit.

Our downtown team has the key to our hearts with their furry friends. Everest, the ultra-cool pup, is the furry boss of Sandra, our Downtown Member Services, Kid Zone, and Spa Director

Now, meet the dynamic duo, Gracie and Teddy! These two adorable pooches have the final say at the home of our Downtown General Manager, Jill Acchione….they look pretty fierce!

Adventure Central

Check out the new Thursday Night Beginner Tennis crew at Adventure Central! Let’s all applaud our Tennis Director Cat for creating these fun and amazing programs.

acac says goodbye and good luck to Mrs. Amanda after 12 extraordinary years in our Preschool. She has touched many lives here, and while we will miss you deeply, we are thrilled about your new adventure in motherhood. Thank you for the knowledge and love you’ve shared with our children. We wish you all the best in your new journey. May it bring you countless blessings and joy.

Albemarle Square

Our 6 am basketball squad is getting after it on the hardwood. Rumor has it that a few of our players are declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft next year.

Did you know?

Sarah K. our Albemarle Square housekeeper competed in this year’s Special Olympics. Not only did she make us proud by competing, but she also brought home some hardware as well. Congratulations Sarah!

Prior to losing to Virginia in The Charlottesville Super Regional Baseball tournament, The Duke Baseball Team needed a quick workout before play. Pretty cool to have a Division 1 Baseball Team utilize our facilities.

Midlothian

Midlothian and Short Pump collected gently used luggage for foster children who needed a bag to carry their belongings. This 10-day collection was very overwhelming but for a great cause. Our lovely team members and members were able to pack the acac bus for delivery. These items were later donated to a local non-profit.

Bringing in summer the Right Way!

 The Midlothian team kicked off their 2023 summer with an “All Aboard for Summer” theme. Members enjoyed food and beverages from the Poolside Café, games, along with free entertainment. Our members were also treated to freshly cut melons to cool down on a hot summer day.

Short Pump

Father’s Day Gift!

 Let us congratulate our new parents as they welcome Lucy-Grace to the world. Congrats Lisa and Justin Woodcock on your beautiful baby girl.

We had a great turnout at the Anthem Corporate Fun Run at Innsbrook. Thank you to all of the team members who attended.

Huge congrats to Francine for leading our team members through the sun salutations and asanas yoga class. What a great way to unwind and relax!

West Chester

The WC team bringing in The 4th of July with a Friday Barbecue

Sportsclub (Greenville, Simpsonville, Five Forks)

New Weight plates and Dumbbells require a lot of help. Thank you to all of the teams down in SC who helped bring in the new Equipment.

Check out our Greenville and Five Forks Aquafit classes bringing in the Fourth of July with a party of their own!

Simpsonville had their hands full with lots of cool, and impactful events! First, we had the Superhero 5k for Autism and Sunrise 8k. Sportsclub Simpsonville Membership Team: Wendy Ravan, Maggie Redding, and Cintia Alltman along with GM Steve Pastorek and his Family provided water and Gatorade to all the runners and walkers at both events.

Next, we have a Night of The Living Dead Lift competition. Members had a wonderful time competing in the competition, while also raising money to Support Homes for Heros. We were able to raise over $400!

Lastly, Simpsonville donated all the old plates, dumbbells, bars, and tires to Mauldin High School. The wrestling team along with the coaches picked up all the old equipment and brought it back to the High School where the Football team met them and helped unload.

The post July 2023 Team Newsletter appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

When we watch our professional athletes compete on the national or international stage, it can be easy to forget that at one point, they were little boys and little girls who forgot their water bottles at home on the first day of practice.  Shuttling forgotten sports items to schools or fields is a rite of passage for the parents of sports playing children.  It is the early reminder that true team effort, and not only on the field, is required.  Considering too the World Cup or Super Bowl Champions, the players and coaches always receive the well-deserved accolades even though the support staff required, from logistics, to equipment, and athletic trainers, work tirelessly to get the team ready to play. 

The shared purpose of many is what makes success and achievement possible and a consistent effort over time is required to reach the pinnacle of any pursuit.  Winning as a team is not a selfish act, rather it is a selflessness and appreciation for the skills of others that creates the opportunity for success.  Working together with common purpose we can achieve more than is possible absent collaboration and cooperation. 

We have come so far together these last few years and we should all be proud of what has been accomplished as a team. April ended with 28,341 memberships, and we continue to make progress toward our goal of 30,000, which I am hopeful we can reach by the end of the year. I have the opportunity to speak with other club owners and operators around the world, and you all should know that compared to many others in our industry we are truly outperforming in our recovery.

While it is great to have a goal in mind, the achievement of the objective is made up of a million little steps that keep our members and guests returning to the club every day.  Medallia, the survey instrument we use at acac (and in use at thousands of other clubs around the country), measured the three most important factors in determining member satisfaction: 1. Cleanliness 2. Friendliness 3. Facility/Equipment Quality.  Every single person in the company can help with numbers 1 and 2.  If you see something that needs to be cleaned, step in and help out!  Say hello or ask if someone needs any assistance.  Your individual actions to support the mission of the organization are crucial to the continued success of the business. I hope that you will consistently support our members, guests, and each other, especially through the summer when many of our clubs are at their busiest.

In this month’s recap of what has been happening at acac, I would like to specifically mention the tragic story of the two young boys who died in an auto accident around the corner from our Midlothian club.  Nick Booth and Will Hammitt had been part of the acac family for many years, as campers and as team members.  Thank you to all of those who helped recognize these young men by planning 91��ɫ memorial service at the club.  It was a true team effort from our amazing Midlothian.

We are continuing to improve our facilities with several projects on the horizon. Replacement of floors in the West Chester mind body studios, new cycle bikes and weight equipment for South Carolina, and the long-awaited Short Pump fitness floor renovations have commenced.  As we move into the fall, you will see more equipment at all of our facilities and a few more renovations and improvements as well.  It is exciting to get moving a little faster on upgrading our clubs as membership has recovered. 

In honor of Memorial Day, I would like to take a moment to recognize all of our current team members and their families who have served our country as a member of our armed forces. Thank you for your collective sacrifices on behalf of the United States.

Looking forward to a great summer everyone and thank you for everything you are doing each day to serve our acac and Sportsclub communities,

Chris

. . .

Good News April/May 2023

Adventure Central

The Adventure Central team united for Dress Alike Day, creating unforgettable memories and picture-perfect moments!

Albemarle Square

Service Day

April was National Stress Relief Month and we strive to make acac a stress-free environment for our members.  Our own Nurse Patti provided stress relief foam pills for our members to have and use when they are away from the club. 

Hosting Boys and Girls Club

While we try to serve all members of our community, it can be easy to forget that many do not have access to our wonderful facilities on a regular basis, whether that be for financial, transportation or other considerations.  This month we wanted to provide some fun for the kids that do not have the opportunity to join the club or go on vacation during their spring break.  Kids attending the Boys and Girls Club of Charlottesville were invited to use our aquatics center on a Sunday night. There were many smiling faces and laughter and what a terrific job done by our aquatics team to provide such a safe environment.

Where’s the GM?

GM Mike Battle was able to visit the birthday gathering for our own little Spencer, Kids Zone Legend.  She had a wonderful birthday event with many gifts.  Several members stopped by with their kids and one member even produced the birthday cake. 

Several team members were present at a recent Albemarle/ Western Albemarle Girls Lacrosse game. Thank you for coming out to support, with team member Kelsey Kirkeide contributing 5 goals for Albemarle in a close loss!

Coffee Anyone?

Hope you noticed the new coffee bar set up between the front desk and cafe? Lauren (Cafe Manager) has almost doubled her coffee sales since changing the location. 

Purple Support

As we supported acac Midlothian after the tragic loss of two young team members, our gang dressed in purple for the day.  Purple is the school color of the boys’ high school.  Marketing Director Cassy Roop, Downtown GM Jill Acchione and Mike Battle drove down to support the event at the club with 1,000 people in attendance.

Legend

The one and only Linda Grooms visited her old friends at the club.  If you don’t know, Linda was an acac employee for over 22 years and such an unbelievable service provider our annual Service Award is named in her honor.  What a delightful person. She was offered her a job on the spot, but she is enjoying her retirement! 

Downtown

Turtleneck Day…I love this one, especially because the guys clearly were on the same page with their pensive looks.

DT team getting in the spirit of the Masters Tournament…that is a sharp looking foursome!

Life Saver

Downtown MOD & Member Services Team Member DJ Worrell was the first on the scene for a recent Code Blue. DJ was honored by the Charlottesville Fire Department as a First Responder. WOW!

Toilet humor at its best, Downtown:

The DT club received a large accidental shipment of Angel Soft toilet paper, so Jill & Cassy turned it into team member magic, delivering a roll of Angel Soft to every team member to say “Thank you for all the crap you do!” Note Jill’s angel wings & Cassy’s “I pooped today” t-shirt and poop pajama pants (where are these sold?!)

Cookie bake-off was looking pretty delicious, I am a sucker for the ones with the Hershey kiss in the middle.

Midlothian

Say it ain’t so Walter?!  If you haven’t heard the bittersweet news, Walter will be retiring at the end of April to spend more time with family and friends.  And he’s going to be a grandfather too!  We will certainly miss (but never forget) his smile, jokes and that laugh heard throughout the entire fitness floor.  But don’t worry, he’s sure to show up (and yes he’s invited too!) when we have any event with food.  Be sure to thank Walter for all that he has contributed to the acac family.  He’s definitely a Hall of Famer!  Thank you Walter for all the great laughs and memories.

Midlothian and Short Pump celebrated acac family with a team cookout on April 28. The weather was rainy and cool but that didn’t stop several team members from coming out to enjoy burgers, dogs and wishing farewell to retiring team member Walter Mitchell.

Sad News

Some of you may have heard about the tragic death of 2 high school seniors in Midlothian this month. These young men, who were the best of friends, grew up in our acac summer camp program and ultimately became team members, in that very program. Their parents are acac members, as well. Our hearts go out to these families.

acac Midlothian was honored to hold the memorial service for the boys. The boys attended James River High School, right around the corner from the ML club.

Team acac, wearing purple, for the boys’ high school, showing support for one another through, yet another, uniquely challenging time. Thank you all for coming together in mind, body and spirit!

acac Midlothian and Short Pump were honored as award recipients from the Ronald McDonald House in April for their work raising funds through the 30 for $30 campaign

Short Pump

Member Magic:  Here’s one of our more engaging non-fitness events being set up by our own Alexis M. and led by Zack L. It takes a small army to turn this studio into a banquet hall, in just a matter of minutes. Great job, team!

SP team member Cam, at the Final Four; Cam says “I’m in heaven right now!”

Cam at Short Pump has claimed his favorite sandwich from the new café menu, if you are in Short Pump, be sure to check it out.

Member Magic at Short Pump, celebrating National Pretzel Day

Birthday surprise on the Short Pump pool deck!

SP team enjoying time ‘away from the office,’ it is awesome to have team members getting together outside of the clubs.

Team helping team in need! 91��ɫ Lindsey pushes trainer, Caroline, who was healing after a bout with a 10k

West Chester

The WC team celebrated National World Party Day on April 3rd with Member Magic: spinning the fitness wheel, a selfie station, pin the tail on the donkey and of course disco ball with some tunes!

Parker and Alex got in the spirit!

We are very excited to announce that we have hired a GM in West Chester, PA. Paul Torrao will be joining our West Chester team on May 22nd.

Paul has been leading teams in the sports and fitness industry for over 10 years. He is originally from Orlando, FL, but has spent the last 7 years working for Equinox clubs in Southern California. He is passionate about helping people maximize their potential within themselves. Paul is known for building strong community culture both inside and outside the club while delivering organizational results.

When not working, he enjoys hanging out with his two German Shepherds, Apollo and Arlo. He also enjoys playing golf, camping, off-roading in his Jeep, snowboarding and ultimately just being outdoors. He’s a huge sports fan and loves watching all sports (I’m sure he’s going to adopt the Phillies, Sixers, Eagles and Flyers!).

Something you might not guess about Paul is that he’s a big sneaker head and has been told he has way too many pairs of shoes.

And last but certainly not least, our featured pet is acac Preschool Director Lauren Tucker’s pup Rory…who looks like a very good boy!

The post May 2023 Team Newsletter appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.

Although this post was written pre-pandemic, it still holds some great advice for making it through the holidays unscathed. There may be less parties, in person shopping and visiting relatives this year – so use that as time to focus on the blessing that you have in your life and ways to make yourself and them feel loved.

 . . . 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Except when it’s not. Between the shopping, parties, visiting relatives, weather, and a million other things, it’s easy to lose your holiday cheer. That’s why we’ve compiled a few of our favorite holiday survival tips to get you through the season. 

1. Relax! Work, life, holidays—things can get pretty hectic. While stress is inevitable, tension can take its toll: inflammation rises, the immune system gets battered, emotions are rocky, belly fat may accumulate, and digestion starts to go awry.Take a break, pause for a cup of tea or a walk outside. A few moments of deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help calm your racing mind, reduce stress, and re-energize you. 

2. Focus on Others It is the season of giving. Find a charity or a way to give back to 91��ɫ. Forget about the gift-giving pressures, holiday obligations, and baking the perfect cookies. By doing good for others, you’ll be doing good for yourself! 

3. Don’t Skip Your Workouts It’s easy to make excuses with all the added activities. Don’t! Find 15 minutes to walk, or try high-intensity interval training for a quick but effective workout. Exercise is fundamental to staying healthy, vital, and energized. Plus, it’s a great way to blow off steam! 

4. Dropping temperatures tend to keep us indoors, but sunlight provides us with Vitamin D, which can improve your mood and help with stress. So get outside, try some winter sports, breathe some fresh air, and see winter in a positive light! 

5. Don’t Let Holiday Snacks Derail You Nothing makes you feel worse than guilt on top of overeating. Prepare for your holiday parties by eating a small, healthy snack before you leave the house. It will keep your hunger at bay and surely make the plate of Christmas cookies less tempting. 

6. Pick Your Battles Be realistic about what you can and can’t accomplish and don’t be afraid to say no. Take a look at your calendar and evaluate what’s important to you. You may not get out of Christmas at your in-laws’ house, but you may be able to decline that third tacky sweater party. 

7. Try Your Hand at Avoid the hassle of the mall and try some homemade gifts this year. These are especially great for those hard-to-shop-for folks, teachers, or work colleagues. Homemade scrubs, cocoa in a jar, or personalized crafts all make thoughtful gifts. 

8. Focus on the Meaning of the Season Probably the most important one of all – no matter what your beliefs, don’t forget it’s the season to celebrate giving, being thankful, and spreading good cheer! Slow down and enjoy it.

Using these holiday survival tips, we hope you’ll be able to not just survive but enjoy your holiday season.

The post Holiday Survival Guide appeared first on acac Fitness & Wellness.