The Ties That Bond: Make Friends and Get Fit at Windy Hill Athletic Club
Learn more about how Windy Hill Athletic Club (WHAC) can help you reach your fitness goals while creating lifelong bonds along the way. Fitness Programming Manager Tiago Kulaif, and General Manager Trip Baisden, tell us more.
Q: How does being social and active help people in general? What does the research tell us?
TK: Our belief is that active and social people lead happier, healthier lives.
Studies have shown that a strong social support network can be critical to help people through the stress of tough times, whether they’ve had a bad day at work or a year filled with loss or chronic illness. Friends also play a significant role in promoting overall health. Adults with strong social support have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, including depression, high blood pressure, and an unhealthy body mass index (BMI). Studies have even found that older adults with a rich social life are likely to live longer than their peers with fewer connections. Since supportive family, friends and coworkers are such an important part of our lives, it’s never too soon to cultivate these important relationships.
Q: How does WHAC help people get social?
TB: Not only do we have social events at least once a month, all of our club programs are built on building community. For example, our Tennis in No Time (TNT) program is developed by putting people together in groups of eight to learn tennis. This creates a social aspect to the classes, which creates relationships to build on, as the members become better tennis players.
Q: What are some of the most popular ongoing programs?
TK: EBF (Everybody Fights) Ride (Cycle Studio), Dance, Body Pump, Pilates, and Warrior.
Q: What are some of your member’s favorite events?
TK: Casino Night, pool Qparties, and Wednesday Wine Down.
Q: What “social tribes” are at WHAC? What have they centered around?
TK: Members that fall into the “all-out, fitness elite” category enjoy challenging fitness workouts such as Voltage, Warrior, and boot camp classes. Tennis and squash have always had a social aspect to them.
TB: In tennis, we have some members that like to learn more about the game. We call them Adult Instructional (AIP). We have many little groups that have stayed together for a few years to continue to learn together. Our Top Dog group has become its own special tribe. This group of men and women play flex matches against each other and then get together for food and drinks after their matches. Members meet each other that have never met before. It has become super popular and more social, as well as competitive.
Q: Are there groups for men, moms, business professionals, tennis lovers, and others?
TK: Yes! Between our great fitness programs and tennis coaches, and over 100 group exercise classes a week—from beginner Tennis in No Time to advanced drills—there’s something for everyone.