In 2019, before its grand opening in Belmont Park, the 50,000-square-foot, tri-level Fit Athletic Club Mission Beach held a six-month pre-sale recruiting over 800 members.
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Fit has exceeded its expectations during that time now having some 3,300 active members. The club also boasts about 800 unique visitors daily.
Fit Mission Beach’s many amenities include an indoor pool with a retractable roof; outdoor turf cross-training area with ocean views; locker rooms with shower, sauna, and steam rooms; complimentary towel service; yoga and group fitness classes with membership; state-of-the-art workout equipment; and cold plunge tubs.
Over the past five years, Fit Mission Beach has transformed itself becoming more than a gym. It has networked within the beach community possessing over two dozen partnerships with local businesses including Beach House, Cannonball, y LSKD. Fit has also cultivated a community presence through hosting a variety of social and wellness events, as well as having employed over 130 San Diegans since its opening.
The fitness haven has continually upgraded its facilities over time via additions like four state-of-the-art Qoolpod tubs for cold plunges, using water temperature down to 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Those cutting-edge, chilly dips are used to reduce muscle inflammation and soreness while boosting immune systems, increasing metabolism, and improving mental health.
“The gym used to be Wave House Athletic Club before Fit took it over five years ago building the gym around the perimeter of the indoor pool with its retractable roof,” noted Parker Washington, general manager of Fit Athletic Club Mission Beach, which is built around historic Plunge San Diego public swimming pool at 3115 Ocean Front Walk.
The club’s rapid expansion, noted Washington, is due in part to Fit’s community building, coupled with its fostering connections with other local business brands in the area.
Fit’s general manager talked about what sets its facilities apart. “It’s not a gym – it’s a lifestyle,” said Washington adding, “We’re not just about lifting weights and fitness classes, but also about improving wellness through things like cold plunges.”
What separates Fit from a lot of its competitors? “Our really strong sense of community,” answered Washington. “We have a very wide range of clients from members of the retirement community to college kids, to kids for summer camps, as well as husbands, wives, and families.”
Speaking of the latest fitness trend, Washington said, “Recovery is probably the biggest trend at this moment. After working out hard, people need time to recover. Which is why we have implemented infrared saunas and cold plunges for therapy.”
Fit offers free tours and day passes for prospective members. Washington noted Fit has no enrollment fees and its members pay month-to-month.
There are two other Fit locations in San Diego besides Belmont Park, one in East Village Downtown and another in Little Italy. “They’re all multi-story,” Washington said. “The plan is to have more Fits in the future. We just want to bring members of the community together to have a little fun.”
FIT ATHLETIC CLUB
Where: 3115 Ocean Front Walk
Información: fitathletic.com, 858-779-1672
