I'm prejudiced, I guess, because I've been a member since November 2003. But the Spectrum Health Club is a terrific place to get fit or stay in condition. Especially since the club has completed a major renovation/expansion, which includes more space, many new machines that use highly effective cables, and upgraded changing rooms. Spectrum also allocates a lot of space for stretching, core training and yoga, and there's more coming with its Pilates area. There's no shortage of medicine and Bosu balls, which are so important for basic fitness routines. The Santa Monica Spectrum has a corps of grounded personal trainers that will get you back on your fitness track; you can check their bios at the club before you decide what to do. I've worked out at fitness centers in Washington, D.C., New York, Miami, Nice and assorted other places in the U.S. and abroad, and Spectrum gets my vote for being No. 1. The staff, from Director Anastasia Taylor on down, is knowledgeable and committed -- and (almost always) charming. http://www.spectrumclubs.com/main/gateway/gateway.asp?PWSSessionID=382095411&GID=237&CID=0&URL=http%3A%2F%2Flocator%2FCustomPages%2Fpage%2Easp%3FlocID%3D101667%26cpid%3D0.
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