November Newsletter 2017

 

Dear Members,
We will be wrapping up construction on the outdoor social and fitness areas in the next three to four weeks, and I want to thank all of you for your patience while we have been working on these club improvements. We are excited about completing both of these areas because we believe access to them will greatly improve your member experience. We are particularly eager to finish the back bar and fire pit areas, because we want to get back to hosting more social events for the members. Come join us as we celebrate the opening of the new areas with our Member Appreciation Open House on Sunday, December 3rd from 1 to 4pm. Friends and family are welcome. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served along with Champagne and beer. Please save the date.

We are also excited to be expanding our fitness offerings with the opening of the new outdoor area. In our medallia surveys, one of the suggestions often made is that we add more group exercise classes to our schedule. Based on this feedback we incorporated four TRX stations into the new area which will enable us to offer circuit style group exercise classes there. In December we will begin offering interval style circuit training classes, which alternate between short but intense cardio intervals and strength exercises. Research shows that interval training increases fitness and burns more calories over a short period of time than steady-state cardiovascular training. Interval training is tough, so if you are just starting out, you will need to take it easy while you build stamina for this style training. We recommend you add interval training to your workout routine 1 or 2 times per week. If you feel as though your fitness level has hit a plateau interval training will take you to the next level. Hope to see you out there. Any questions, feel free to check with Peter at [email protected].

With our construction wrapping up, so are the specials we have been running for new member sign-ups. If you know someone who may be interested in joining, please encourage them to join before we complete our improvements to take advantage of these special offers. Remember that you receive a $75 credit to your account for each new member that you refer to the club. In order to receive your credit, the new member must list you as a referral when they sign up.
Have a Healthy Thanksgiving,

John Sutcliffe
General Manager

Tennis Stuff

Match Finder

Steve Hamburger and Bill Ries are looking for USTA or self rated 3.5 players for doubles and mixed doubles. The group plays 8:30 am several mornings a week. Steve and Bill maintain an e-mail listing and help coordinate the matches. If interested please e-mail Steve at [email protected].

Howard Perlstein is also looking for 3.5 players to play at 8:30 am several mornings a week. You can contact him at [email protected].

Videos

Video clip from Chris Dudeck, Co-Director at WAC


Video clip from Calle Hansen, Co-Director at WAC

 

Tennis Tip

This Side of 50 on the Tennis Court – Some Hot Tips for Cold Weather Play
By Karl Akkerman


One of the great things about living in Southern California is we can play tennis pretty much year round – but we do occasionally experience days, if not weeks, of very cold weather. We have had several weeks of very warm weather, but very soon the temps are going to drop down. Way down. As we get a little older, we feel the cold a little more than we used to. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the game we love in the upcoming Fall and Winter cooler temperatures.

Correct Clothing

You should go out very soon and buy a nice pair of thin gloves, some fleece lined warm ups, and shirts made with of good quality wicking material. You may not need them until late December or even February, but by then you can’t find them in the stores. Why is it that by the time the weather turns cold all the stores are putting out their spring and summer clothes? Wicking material is fabric that moves moisture away from the body and the fabric itself. This can help keep the body dry even when the person sweats from exertion.

Dress In Three Or More Layers

Your tennis experience starts when you walk on the court. If it’s below 65 degrees and you are in shorts and a short sleeved cotton t-shirt, you sure won’t enjoy the start of the evening and you will be more susceptible to injuries. Dress accordingly.

1. Base Layer – This layer closest to your skin is where the wicking capability is most needed. You want to get moisture and sweat away from your skin.
2. Mid Layer One – This layer adds insulation, keeping your natural heat in. It can be a shirt or a tee; ones with more breathable capabilities are preferable.
3. Mid Layer Two – This layer is mainly for warmth so something made of fleece is a good choice.
4. Outer Layer – Choose good quality warm ups with pants that are breathable and not too tight (keep in mind the layers underneath). Lined warm up pants are like two layers of clothing on your legs. On VERY cold evenings, I have had on two pair of warm ups. I feel toasty and warm.

Add A Thin Pair of Gloves and A Wool Hat

Playing with a good pair of tennis gloves can really make a difference in your enjoyment of the evening. Yes, they actually make tennis gloves now. Thinner is better. When I play in gloves, I may not feel the racket quite the same, but when I take them off, I realize how warm they keep my fingers. We lose the most body heat through our heads, so a wool hat is essential on cold nights.

Stretch It Out
Muscles are more prone to injury when cold, so make the time to stretch a little at home before you come to the courts. Stretch again when you get on the court. Dynamic stretches such as a slow jog, side-to-side steps, grapevine crossovers, and high knee or high skipping for about two laps will warm up your core muscles and get your circulation moving, helping to prevent injuries. After this you can take off one or two layers of clothing. Add and subtract as you play your match. I typically wear one less layer when serving than when I am the poacher at the net or receiving serve. It depends how long your rallies are too.

Adjust Your Shots
When the temperature drops so do the tennis balls. Tennis balls become harder, don’t bounce as high or rise as much in the cold, so adjust your shots accordingly. Drop shots, slices, and flat serves are much more effective in cold weather, forcing your opponent to have to get down low for a ton of balls. You should also incorporate more flat serves and slice serves. If you have a choice between a topspin approach shot and a slice approach shot, you may want to try slice approaches on any ball that does not bounce much higher than the net. This keeps the ball extra low and really forces your opponent to get under the ball to hit a passing shot, which is tough.

The cold temperature will affect the balls coming to you as well; the ball will bounce low on your side of the net too. To adjust to the low bounce, bring your racquet back early for good preparation, and start your backswing lower than you typically would. You also need to move to the ball more than you would in warmer weather. The ball will not get as deep in the court as it would if it were warm out, so be sure to move well into the court for shorter balls. With the ball being a little “flatter”, be sure to aim deeper and hit harder to keep the ball from landing too short, and allowing your opponent to step into the court to hit every ball.

String Your Racket 2 lbs Lower

Because the balls are less lively due to cold weather, your shots will typically also be shorter rather than deeper. By lowering your normal tension, it will trampoline the ball a little deeper in the cold weather. Our man Paul Ackerman (not related to me) does an excellent job stringing right here at our club. He does all of our rackets.

I have played tennis 52 weeks a year since 1974 and when I employ all these tips, I can feel toasty and comfortable out there no matter how cold the weather. I may be a little slower and not as limber, but at least I’m not miserably cold. Keep yourself in the game and enjoy the years we have left to play this game we all love so much.

See you on the courts, warm n’ toasty, for some great tennis soon!

 

Tennis News

By Christa Nonnemaker

 

Adult Tennis

The month of November promises to have two exciting tennis events for WAC members—the Family Doubles Tournament on November 24th, and the Adult Winter Tennis Camp. The Family Doubles Tournament will take place the day after Thanksgiving from 11 am to 2 pm and is the perfect way to work off Thanksgiving Dinner, while having fun at the same time with a family member! There will be Adult and Junior Divisions including Parent/Child, Sibling/Sibling and Husband/Wife. To register for the tournament, please fill out the form available at the Front Desk. The Adult Winter Tennis Camp will run from 9 am to 2 pm on Thursday, November 30th, and is another opportunity to work on mental, technical and physical aspects of your tennis game. Calle Hansen and Chris Dudeck, Tennis Directors, will be leading the camp.

Film Review: Battle of the Sexes

I would imagine that many players from Westlake Athletic Club have already seen Battle of the Sexes featuring Emma Stone as Billie Jean King and Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs, who faced off in the epic “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match of 1973. In this extraordinary match, Billie Jean King agreed to Bobby Rigg’s challenge that she would not be able to defeat him. As we all know, Billie Jean King did win the match, which served as another blow to the pervasive sexism that riddled the tennis world. Beyond highlighting the surprising circus-like atmosphere of the actual event, the movie was also very effective at bringing to light the history behind Billie Jean’s decision to play the match, which at first she had been unwilling to do. Jack Kramer’s rather oppressive attitudes led to Billie Jean King’s support and leadership in the creation of the WTA. This, in itself, was probably as seminal an event for women’s equality in tennis, if not more so, than the actual match. While some WAC members found the movie slow-moving, others enjoyed it! I gave it an A-. Below are two WAC members hamming it up for Halloween as Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs!

Brooke and John Gabbey – where did they find those wooden racquets???

Junior Tennis

Junior players are encouraged to participate in the Family Doubles Tournament on November 24th, 2017, the day after Thanksgiving! This is a great chance for parent/child or sibling/sibling combos to get together and play one another. Details are provided in the flier above. This type of tournament proves that tennis is truly a lifetime sport, and fun for all ages!

Winter Tennis Camp will take place starting on Friday, December 22nd, 2017 and go through Friday, January 5th, 2018 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, with no camp on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25th. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!

The VCJTA Novice Tournament held on October 28th at Westlake Athletic Club included many junior players who take clinics at WAC or who participate in Junior League and Junior Team Tennis. VCJTA is a program that offers round-robin tournaments in both the Novice and Open levels. More information about VCJTA is available at vcjta.com.

Play-Doh Donations for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

From physical and occupational therapy to entertaining bored siblings, CHLA uses thousands of cans of Play-Doh every year.

They are running woefully short of this simple yet vital product and have reached out to our community for help.

We are collecting new, unopened cans of Play-Doh in any size (the minis are great) and any color. No accessories, please. Just the dough.

* Collecting through the month of December *

 

Fitness Stuff

Video Fitness Tip from Holly Butler

Lat Pulldown in Seated Position

 

Training Tip

Kettle Bells: The Double Arm Swing
By Peter Loncto

You may have noticed the rack of brightly colored balls under the television in the fitness center. These are kettle bells, one of the oldest, most basic tools in the gym. In use as a weightlifting device since the 1800’s, the kettle bell has gained increasing popularity as a method to enhance functional strength, offering improved mobility, range of motion, and increased strength.

Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettle bell’s center of mass is extended beyond the hand, facilitating ballistic and swinging motion. This swinging movement allows for total body involvement including wrist, arm, core, back, shoulders, gluteus, hamstrings and quads in an aerobic, high caloric expenditure exercise.

One of the most common kettle bell exercises is the Double Arm Swing. Start with the lighter weight kettle bell, and progress to a heavier bell as you master the movement. Lighter weight and higher repetition is recommended.


• Begin from a lowered squat position with both hands on the kettle bell between the legs.

• Rock the body weight into the heels, then powerfully extend the lower body to accelerate the bottom of the kettle bell up and away until your arms are parallel to the floor. The key to a good kettle bell swing is effectively thrusting the hips as your rise.

• As the weight descends, lower back into the squat absorbing the kettle bell with the entire body.

• Perform 12-15 times, rest 30-60 seconds, and then repeat. After 3 sets of 15 reps you will see that this dynamic, aerobic exercise is more similar to high intensity interval training rather than to traditional weightlifting.

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have about performing this exercise, progressing to more challenging kettle bell routines, or to schedule a personal fitness session to stay in tip-top shape through the holidays and into the New Year!

 

Fitness Tip

Use It or Lose It— The Bone Stimulating Benefits of Resistance Training
By Holly Butler

As the Resistance Strength and Stretch instructor, students often ask me, “Does this class involve “weight- bearing” exercise?” and “Can I build bone density with this type of resistance training?” Happily, the answer to both questions is YES! Resistance training, such as the exercises we perform using our resistance bands attached to the Yoga Wall (and “mini bands” for our lower body), are considered weight-bearing exercises and are an effective way to build bone density. I was thrilled when a student of mine shared her personal story regarding bone density with me. She was diagnosed with osteopenia in certain parts of her spine, prompting her doctor to prescribe osteoporosis medication to increase her bone density. My student wasn’t comfortable with taking this medication without trying other options first. Instead, she chose to add resistance strength training twice a week and yoga twice a week, to her schedule. 12 months later, her doctor was amazed that she had increased her bone density so much that she no longer had osteopenia . . . And the only change she had made was to add weight-bearing exercise to her life!

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, most people will reach their peak bone mass between the ages of 25 and 30. Unfortunately, by the time we reach age 40 we actually begin to lose bone mass. The saying “use it or lose it” aptly describes how the body replaces older bone tissue with new bone, a process called remodeling. Bones remodel by laying down more bone when they have the sensation of being needed or “used”. Conversely, bones will not remodel if there is no force or enough stress placed on them to give them the sensation that they are needed. Wolff’s Law is the theory that bone will adapt in response to stresses placed upon it. Bone is triggered to regenerate more bone at points that feel stressed. If the bone is not being stressed enough, the body will begin to reabsorb it, so it is extremely important to add more weight bearing exercises as we age to counteract this natural process. You can think of resistance training as bone-stimulating exercise!

What does “weight-bearing” mean? To be considered a weight-bearing exercise, your feet must be in contact with the ground as you work against gravity. In addition to the weight-bearing force of gravity, the load must be sufficient enough to trigger the stress response, which will cause the bones to remodel. The action of pulling and pushing, and flexing and extending muscles across the bones is the type of stimulation the bone needs, however the stress must be greater than what your everyday activities offer. If the stress that is being placed on your bones is the same day after day, the bones will acclimate and not be triggered to remodel.

It’s great to know that the resistance bands we use in a class such as RSS provide a force against which your muscles must work, thus stimulating the bones to remodel. Bones feel needed, so they regenerate. Other weight-bearing exercises that can be combined with RSS to increase bone density include yoga, running, brisk walking, jumping rope (bones love the vibration that muscles offer upon landing), and sports where you are holding up your own body weight against gravity such as tennis and basketball. Although still beneficial for many reasons, cycling and swimming are not considered weight-bearing exercises. In both cases you are not in direct contact with the ground so your bones and muscles are not working against the force of gravity. These types of exercise should be performed in addition to weight-bearing exercises.

Use it or lose it and think of resistance training as bone-stimulating exercise!

Tri-Corner

By Logan Franks
Understanding The Workout Window



As sad as it is to admit, the 2017 triathlon season has come to an end. This typically means, a reduction in training volume. One of the main struggles I see amongst athletes, this time of year, is their eating habits. We’re used to training two-three hours a day, and to refueling with a vast amount of calories and carbs. As the training volume goes down, our calories and carbohydrate intake needs to be reduced as well. I find, that following the rules of the workout window can help with carbohydrate consumption. So, what is a workout window and why should you follow it?

Nutrient timing is a fancy term that means eating specific nutrients such as carbs, fats, and proteins, at specific times. Nutrient timing can boost metabolism, spike insulin levels, or reduce the amount of insulin released by your pancreas. I use the term “workout window” because I’m referring to nutrient timing, specifically related to your training schedule. Through the course of the day, I typically recommend that my athletes fuel their bodies with fats and proteins. Fats and proteins don’t trigger your pancreas to release insulin. When our body releases insulin and we don’t burn it off, it gets stored as body fat. While training, our body typically uses carbohydrate as its primary fuel source. This means that we are going to need to get some carbs in our bodies at some point. So, when do we do this? The general rules of the workout window are:

RULE 1: 30-45 minutes before training, have a 100-250 calorie carb dense snack.

RULE 2: While training for any longer than an hour, fuel your body every 30 minutes: primarily with carbs.

RULE 3: For every hour you train, you have 30 minutes to eat carbohydrates. I recommend that within 30 minutes of training, you consume 15-20g of protein and 60-80g of carbs. Try to follow a 4c:1p ratio, for post workout recovery.

Why should you follow the workout window rules? Naturally, while following these three rules, your carbohydrate intake will be lower on days that you train less. This will reduce body fat by controlling insulin release.

Rule 1 will improve the quality of your training by promoting insulin release, which will then be burned off in training.

Rule 2 will increase training quality due to proper fueling.

Rule 3 will improve recovery, reduce risk of injury, and could improve the quality of your workout the next day. The faster you recover, the faster you can get out on the road and crush another workout.

The general take-away from this is, try to stick to proteins and fats through the day and consume your carbs before, during, and after training. That, my friends, is the Workout Window, in a nutshell!

Happy Training,

Coach Logan
American Multisport Strategies

 

Wellness Tip

You Are What You Eat: ‘Superfoods’ To Beat Arthritis!
By Anna Griffin


As colder weather finally descends upon us, we are reminded of how cool temperatures can actually be here, in usually warm and sunny, Southern California! Seasonal reminders can vary from a chill in our bones to a full-on head and chest cold, and include my personal favorite, those dreaded age-related, body aches and pains from a life well lived.

Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation, frequently accompanied by pain. A common complaint, there are a number of possible causes including injury, hereditary factors, a dysfunctional metabolic or immune system, and even occasionally being the direct result of a viral or bacterial infection.

Although weather won’t make arthritis worse, damp, cold weather can aggravate symptoms for a day or two. Elaine Husni, MD, a rheumatologist at Cleveland Clinic’s Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute, considers why arthritis pain goes up when the rain comes down. “Some people believe that when you drop the barometric pressure, that sometimes your tissues can swell.” Dr. Husni says. “When your tissues swell in an already inflamed joint, sometimes that can push against muscles and nerves in the area and make it appear more painful.”

As many of her patients tell her cooler, damp weather is worse, Dr. Husni advises to pay close attention to the weather report and anticipate what’s coming. She says if you know that damp weather bothers you, then make some arrangements for that day.


“You might want to wear extra clothing that will shield you from the cold, wind and dampness,” she says.

While we have no control over exterior circumstances such as weather, we can help ourselves from the inside out. A recent study at KIIT University in India concluded that eating a diet rich in ‘superfoods ‘can slow down the disease, and compiled a definitive list of proven ingredients after conducting comprehensive research on the subject.


Study author, Dr Bhawna Gupta, said: “Regular consumption of specific dietary fibers, vegetables, fruits and spices, as well as the elimination of components that cause inflammation and damage, can help patients to manage the effects of rheumatoid arthritis. Incorporating probiotics into the diet can also reduce the progression and symptoms of this disease.”



Following their review of scientific research papers, the study recommends switching from a meat diet to a plant-based one. A vegetarian or vegan diet can reduce joint stiffness and pain, by lowering inflammatory chemicals released by the immune system. These foods also lower oxidative stress, which is the body’s ability to counteract or detoxify harmful chemicals. The study suggests sufferers incorporate these foods into their diet to slow down this progressive, debilitating autoimmune disease, and advises taking probiotics for good gut health, while quitting alcohol and smoking.



Ginger, blueberries, olive oil and green tea are among the 'superfoods' that help fight rheumatoid arthritis, according to this research, and have been proven to combat the symptoms of this crippling condition. Other foods listed as having an anti-inflammatory effect range from fruits – such as dried plums, grapefruit and pomegranates – to whole grains, the spice turmeric, as well as specific oils such as fish oil.



Dr Gupta said: “Supporting disease management through food and diet does not pose any harmful side effects, and is relatively affordable and easy. Doctors, physicians and dieticians can use our study to summarize current proven knowledge on the links between certain foods and rheumatoid arthritis. Knowing the nutritional and medicinal requirements of their patients, they can then tailor this information for the betterment of their health.”



Various dietary plans for rheumatoid arthritis – such as vegan and Mediterranean – have long been recommended. However, the research team said their new study – only the second overall assessment of diet and food regarding the disease – provides a thorough evaluation of current scientific knowledge, and makes a point of only reporting dietary interventions and specific foods that clearly show proven long-term effects.


It appears that when it comes to easing arthritis you are what you eat, so eat well and feel great through fall, and all winter long!

 

Healthy Travel

Ketanga Fitness Retreats: Take the Road Well Travelled in 2018
By Anna Griffin



As we settle into cooler temperatures and look forward to the upcoming holiday season, time spent with family and friends, and the delicious but diet-disruptive treats indulged during the festivities, it’s a great time to consider adventurous vacations in the New Year. Travel is seeing a new trend emerge of trips that combine a break from “the ordinary” with our everyday fitness goals, rather than travel that distracts us from our health and wellness intentions while we’re on the road, and there are plenty of options to choose from.


Many companies now offer group excursions at exotic, global and local U.S. destinations, brimming with a wide array of exercise choices. From boot camp fitness classes to cycling, yoga to tennis, surfing, Pilates, barre, hiking, boxing, and everything in between, whether Malibu or Bali, healthy, activity-focused retreats are available worldwide, to satisfy all travelers’ quest for adventure and wellness.

Ketanga Fitness Retreats’ mission is to make wellness travel accessible, varied, and fun. Curating small group fitness adventures that feature the best-of-the-best vetted instructors, unique activities, inspiring locations, in a relaxed yet motivating atmosphere, Ketanga prides itself on merging fitness with adventure travel and creating unique wellness experiences.



While loving yoga (and including it on many of their group trips), Ketanga was born out of a need to diversify the retreat space and give a little love to other activities such as boot camp, boxing, Pilates, and HIIT. Creating a wellness-inclusive, immersive experience, Ketanga considers their fitness retreats to be a new definition of 'well traveled'.


Organizing and curating custom retreats throughout the US and around the world, Ketanga also produces local fitness events and wellness workshops in NYC, builds corporate wellness programs, and creates private group retreats by request.


A carefully considered fitness and adventure travel company, Ketanga already has multiple group exercise retreats scheduled for January and February in Costa Rica, and March in Barbados, with more to follow throughout the year. Offering guests a choice of wellness retreats such as Boxing & the Beach, Total Body Fusion, Winter Escape Yoga, Girl’s Fitness & Adventure, and Fitness, Food & Fun, the all-inclusive experiences boast activities including boxing, strength training, surfing, horseback riding, yoga, pilates, SUP, zip lining, strength fitness, Barre, sailing, hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and white water rafting, to name a few.

While you will undoubtedly get a great workout, these trips are not all work and no play. With tasty food and libations, set in scintillating locations with fun company, there is plenty of time to relax and decompress.




If working hard and sweating hard is your fitness preference, higher intensity retreats may be right for you. While they vary in intensity and workouts, they all have a focus in strength and conditioning. Unless otherwise noted, trips are open to all levels, and the Coaches are there to make any necessary modifications due to level or injury.


If looking for a wellness retreat with low impact yet effective workouts, many of their trips have a fitness foundation in yoga, Pilates, and/or barre, and are appropriate for all levels. Ketanga’s Coaches are experienced in modifying movements to cater to experts, beginners, and those with injuries, for a challenging and motivating workout. Several of their trips also combine elements of mindfulness, meditation, and exploring nature, and an opportunity to find your Zen in body, mind and soul.


A positive and empowering way to start 2018, Ketanga is hosting a Train-For-Life Wellness Retreat, 18th–22nd January at the Riviera Palm Springs Resort. Led by Lauren van Keulen, this 5-day life changing and invigorating experience of over 10 workshops and classes, will give guests “tools and techniques that will empower them to train for your life with skill, confidence, joy, grace and ease.” Incorporating strength building and interval based workouts, yoga, and a guided desert mountain hike, the retreat promises to connect you to your body through purpose, flow, and meditation.



Whatever you prefer when choosing an active break from reality in 2018, Ketanga offers fitness and travel lovers the opportunity to join one of their year-round, curated retreats with top trainers and coaches, which are open to everyone of all ages and levels. Or better yet, they will help you organize your own custom retreat with your favorite personal coach and a group of workout buddies. Now that’s taking the road well travelled!


For more information, visit: www.ketangafitness.com

Meet your Trainers

Leticia Willingham 
Leticia Willingham is a certified yoga instructor based in Westlake Village, California. She has led her life down a path of healthy eating and working out for more than twenty years, discovering yoga while trying to help deal with severe anxiety. The results of practicing yoga were dramatic . . . providing the ability to calm the mind, find inner peace, and strengthen the body. Leticia’s 500 hour teaching certification is through YogaWorks in Westlake Village, California; mentored by Lainie Devina.

Leticia believes that everyone can benefit by practicing yoga. She focuses on providing each student, whether they have just been introduced to yoga or have been practicing for years, with insight, encouragement and the opportunity to help guide them on a positive journey and achieve their own personal goals. “I know how amazing the benefits of yoga can be because I have experienced them first hand. Yoga truly changed my life, and I want to provide the opportunity for others to affect positive change in their lives as well.”

Patti Markowitz
Patti Markowitz has been helping people stay healthy & fit for over 25 years as a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and Aerobics Instructor. Her tenure at the Westlake Athletic Club (WAC) began back in 1993 where she has trained hundreds of members who continue to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle augmented by hours spent building strong bone, muscle, and piece of mind through exercise & resistance-training. Patti believes that when you change bodies you change lives, and that being a Personal Trainer is about much more that just knowing the exercise or routine, it’s about living the lifestyle, and being able to motivate and inspire others to move toward healthier and happier lives.

As one of WAC’s leading Certified Personal Trainers, Patti specializes in designing customized programs in training for strength, weight loss, and functional fitness. Her attitude and presentation makes workouts fun and motivating; never routine, dull or boring. As your trainer, she will take your health & wellness personally, working alongside you to help achieve ALL of your fitness goals.

An accomplished marathon runner, avid swimmer, and someone you will most likely bump into in a Yoga class at the Club, Patti’s attention to her own fitness reflects her commitment to well-being. With your determination and her dedication you can make anything happen.

For an opportunity to train with Patti, you can call her directly at (805) 208-9578, or inquire at the front desk at WAC.
[email protected]

Katie Whittaker
Katie specializes in aquatic exercise, yoga, and meditation, as well as in strength, toning and cardiovascular training. She also offers nutrition counseling and weight management. Creator of "Aqua Yoga," she uses water and land exercise to compassionately assist clients both pre and post surgery. Katie is certified in fitness instruction by the National Arthritis Association, the Yoga Alliance, the Aquatic Exercise Association, the American Council on Exercise, and the National Association of Sports Medicine. Katie has guided hundreds of clients to better health for more than 10 years.

[email protected]

Peter Loncto
Peter Loncto is a longtime resident of Westlake Village and the newest member of our training staff. As a National Association of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and TRX Suspension Training instructor, he blends his passion and enthusiasm for fitness with his knowledge and experience to motivate and challenge his clients to feel their best.

"When I first met with John Sutcliffe a year ago and he shared his vision of a first rate fitness center, I was excited to have an opportunity to work with my neighbors in our fantastic community. After learning of his commitment to Technogym, I was all in! The Technogym philosophy of Wellness, their unique, elegant Kinesis One stations with an emphasis on adaptive, functional movement, and their unequaled interactive capability place them far out in front of any other traditional gym equipment. Some of you may have seen me in the Fitness Center over the last month, working out and becoming familiar with the literally thousands of movements possible with the Technogym system. Every day I am more impressed with Technogym's versatility and applicability to all levels of fitness. Whether your goal is a better backstroke, more tee-to-green distance, weight loss and toning, or just feeling your best, Technogym offers dozens of programs and the ability to customize a wellness program just for you.

I look forward to meeting all of you in the coming months and welcome the chance to assist you in identifying your Wellness goals, and working with you to achieve them. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have. It would be an honor to be part of your Wellness journey.

Holly Butler
Influenced by growing up in Boulder, CO (aka the fittest city in America), Holly Butler has always lead an active lifestyle. As an adult, she was drawn to non-impact fitness, starting with the athleticism of Vinyasa yoga. While practicing yoga she discovered and fell in love with Barre classes and Body Sculpting classes using resistance training. Her 3 daughters were all in school and Holly thought it was the right time to get her certification and go back to work, doing something she loved. Holly spends her “off” time coordinating many school drop-offs, pick-ups and dance carpools for her daughters, being involved in charity work for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, volunteering school, and playing tennis at WAC with her husband. We are pleased that Holly will be teaching the Body Sculpting class on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:30pm.

 

Tamara Goulden
Learning to swim at a very young age, Tamara fell in love with being in the water, playing water polo and swimming competitively with her local Parks & Rec throughout middle school, and competing on the school swim team in high school. Playing on the women’s UCSB water polo team in 1988, Tamara competed in the State Championships, and by teaching swim instruction and aqua fitness, was able to pay for graduate school at LMU, earning her Masters in counseling psychology in 1995. Tamara established her company, Premiere Aquatics, in the early ‘90's in which she uses water as a therapeutic milieu for swim instruction, exercise, personal training, phobia counseling, and injury rehabilitation.  She finds teaching water fitness at WAC a fun and rewarding way to engage with members and see them benefit by this unique type of workout, as she herself is happiest when in the water.

Group Class Schedule

Click here for a pdf of the fitness schedule

 

Masters Swim

Logan Franks
WAC is pleased to have Logan Franks coach our Masters swim program.

Logan Franks served seven years in the Marine Corps infantry. During his enlistment, he raced on the Marine Corps Triathlon team. He was 1 of 6 Marines selected to represent the All Marine Triathlon Team at Armed Forces Triathlon Championships in 2011. Logan also competed as a professional triathlete with a primary focus on long course triathlon. In 2010 he was ranked 52nd in the world for Ironman and he posted the fasted American run split of the day at Ironman world championships, crossing the finish line in 9:02.

Logan was also collegiate runner for the University of Delhi, located in NY. Though he was a fast runner, his success in triathlon was being hindered by his lack of swim knowledge and experience. Knowing this, Logan went to a number of swim clinics and trained under the guidance of some of the best triathlon and swim coaches in the United States. Logan soon became a front pack swimmer, often coming out of the water in the top six of the pro division for Ironman and 70.3 races.

2013, Logan shifted his focus to coaching and put his athletic career on hold. Logan currently owns a military focused triathlon team. He coaches prior service members and active duty military. He also coaches paratriathletes and other wounded vets hoping to compete in the Paralympics. Logan is a Level 2 Masters Swim Coach, and is very approachable, always willing to help anyone on deck. 

Kevin Lane, Swim Instructor & Coach

Kevin Lane is the Assistant Swim Coach of California Lutheran University Men's and Women's Swim Team. He is also an adjunct instructor at CLU, teaching swimming, and a Masters Swim Coach at Westlake Athletic Club (Certified USMS Level 2).

In addition to coaching, Kevin teaches swimming to all ages and levels here at the WAC. You may have seen him working with students in the pool.

He teaches private one on one lessons as well as groups of two students. His lessons run from 30 mins to an hour, and are for beginners, intermediate, all the way to the competitive student. Kevin has a reputation as a warm and caring instructor who is very intuitive when comes to each individual's needs. With years of experience, he understands how to get the best out of each student at every lesson.

Kevin started swimming and competing at the age of seven. Growing up in Connecticut, he continued to swim through his teen years on the club level, setting many Connecticut State records. He represented Connecticut Swimming as an all-star team member, and traveled and competed against other all-star teams. Moving on to Southern Connecticut State University, a top ten NCAA Division II School, he competed on the national level and set school records in the in the 200 fly and in relays. In his senior year he was elected captain of his team.

After college, Kevin continued to train, compete and coach, eventually winning the Masters One Mile Open Rough Water National Championship for his age group. For over 20 years Kevin has been teaching swimming, coaching on the college, masters and novice level. He has just completed his fifth year of college coaching at CLU.

Kevin brings to the Westlake Athletic Club an enthusiastic love of swimming, with over 20 years of experience as a swim instructor, swim coach and competitor. Kevin looks forward to helping others advance in the water, as they learn how wonderful and positive the swimming experience is. As spring and summer approaches, Kevin encourages all members and families to get out and start a regular exercise program that includes swimming.

Masters Swim Schedule
Mon & Wed 5:30-6:30am Logan
Mon & Wed 12-1 Kevin
Tues & Thur 6-7pm David
Sat 7:15-8:30am Logan