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Soiree at The Sports Club LA

The Sports Club LA: The rigors of success leave many of the upwardly mobile seeking a respite from the daily grind to stay focused, balanced, and prepared for anything. The jungle out there takes its toil on all of us. Since it is somewhat difficult to book a killer vacation weekly, many busy people turn to health clubs for their personal "everybody needs a little time away" moments. However, the establishments that cater to the affluent fitness buffs had better be prepared to pamper their clients royally.

Premium-priced gyms offer an experience that goes beyond weight rooms, aerobic classes, free towels, and clean dressing rooms. Convenience of use is very important to members of upscale clubs. With time becoming a more precious commodity than ever, prestigious workout centers are making efforts to make their facilities more accommodating to the hectic lifestyle of members by offering non-traditional services that maximize convenience for members.

The Sports Club LA, which aims to be one of the most luxurious gyms nationwide, is a trailblazer in providing extras that make it easier for members to spend more time at the clubs -- whether they are vigorously working out or relaxing lavishly.

The 90,000-square-foot Sports Club LA in NYC Rockefeller Center features a coat-check service, a hair salon, a spa, a restaurant, and a martini bar. There also is concierge service to assist members with personal scheduling, such as making dining reservations or securing tickets for entertainment events and so forth. The clubs offer special programs for children and have 24-hour laundry services, too.

Pattee Francini, co-founder of the resplendent center for the financially and physically fit, has frequently referred to SC LA as an "urban country club" and a "spa city" where members can take mini vacations. Each site is palatial, as many of the centers are 100,000 square feet or more, offering something unique to set it apart. The Boston club has rooms for stretch exercising by candlelight. The San Francisco club presents a yoga class with live musical accompaniment. There is a rooftop driving range for golfers in Los Angeles.

Fitness courses span the gamut from aerobics to yoga. There are classes for weight training, boxing, body sculpting, indoor cycling, indoor rock climbing and combat-training sessions just to name a few. Most clubs offer an impressive array of special courses.

On any given day, especially in the Southern California clubs, there are more celebrities spotted here than are seen at the Los Angeles Lakers' home games at the Staples Center. Actually, the L.A. Lakers have a team membership. So, beyond building muscles and stamina, these clubs were made for power networking, socially and professionally.

The posh health hubs are handling the demanding affluent crowd richly. No sweat, unless that is what they want.

For LxM James Rothaar