Make the Most of MAC's Fitness Offerings

By C.J. Martin, Senior Fitness & Performance Director

A 2019 study of 2,000 Americans revealed that 50% of respondents were intimidated by the thought of working out in a gym in front of others; nearly half of the respondents (48%) reported that the number of fitness regimens, routines, workouts, and classes was daunting. More importantly, a 2023 survey of MAC members revealed that the fitness areas and group exercise studios were seen as the least welcoming spaces in the club. “Gym-timidation,” as it has been called, is a real thing.

MAC’s fitness spaces must be safe, inclusive, and welcoming for us to successfully create the world’s healthiest community through our Lifelong Athlete program. We need to educate members who feel intimidated by the overwhelming sea of fitness “advice” and methods to make sure they have a resource that can help them start on their path to better health and wellness. MAC’s new Fitness Concierge is designed to accomplish these goals.

The Fitness Concierge provides a proactive, service-oriented presence that makes the fitness area more inviting and accessible to members who may need extra assistance or guidance. That starts with acts as simple as greeting members as they enter the space so they feel respected and know they have a resource there eager to help them. An enthusiastic greeting may seem trivial if you have been a longtime gym-goer, but for members looking to become active or return to activity after a long layoff, those first few steps into the gym can be tough — and made easier with a friendly face who is glad you are there.

The Fitness Concierge isn’t just a greeter; they are fully dedicated to assisting members with fitness-related inquiries, offering expertise in how to use our fitness equipment and making recommendations about which fitness services or programs might best align with their goals and needs. They can offer personalized exercise recommendations based on member preferences and interests and help members access curated fitness resources. For example, if your favorite “ab machine” is no longer in the weight room, our Fitness Concierge can share with you and teach you a dozen core exercises that the MAC Fitness team prefers for their efficacy and health benefits.

In addition, the Fitness Concierge is knowledgeable about all aspects of the club and can book members into everything from our PRO Series fitness offerings to tennis court reservations and dinners in 1891. Think of the concierge as the go-to for anything you might need in the fitness area or elsewhere in the club.

MAC is lucky to have the perfect candidate leading our Fitness Concierge efforts. Teddy Martin has an infectious smile and a positive demeanor. He has been at MAC for six years as a Manager on Duty and Executive Assistant to the General Manager. His experience at MAC gives him a broad perspective to help members find what they need or help them navigate to an optimal solution. For more than a decade before joining MAC, Teddy was a personal trainer. Fitness has played an enormous role in his life, and he has always loved making it more approachable to others. When I asked Teddy why he applied for the Fitness Concierge role, he said, “I want every member to feel seen and heard at this club. The fitness area can be intimidating to many members. I want to be the person who helps them feel safe, comfortable, and welcomed in this space.”

Our Fitness Concierge hours vary between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to serve as many members as possible. If you haven’t been greeted by Teddy yet, please visit the Fitness Room and let us help you in your fitness journey!