Best workouts: Surf-inspired SURFSET now at Western Athletic Clubs

It's no secret that I like the Western Athletic Clubs (WAC)  with their upscale fitness clubs here in Northern California and I like the folks I've met from there too. In general, they just seem to be smart, forward-thinking people who do things right. As an organization, they promote from within, they seem to spot trends early, and they just seem to have their act together when it comes to fitness.

Which is why I was intrigued by their newest workout programs, and health-oriented fitness offerings for 2013: SURFSET (surfer-inspired) workout, Les Mills GRIT (a high intensity interval training), and Wellness FX  (advanced health diagnostics with trainer-led consultations for insights and recommendations to improve biological health).

I wrote about SURFSET over on Examiner.com. The Les Mills is pretty self-explanatory to anyone who knows the Les Mills system of workouts with choreography that is changed periodically to prevent too much muscle memory.

The Wellness FX intrigues me, and though I don't know a lot about it, it seems to me to be a shrewd move for the chain's upscale membership. I can't vouch for the program, but it seems to have a PBS-type intelligent appeal. I'll be curious to see in a year if it's still being offered.  According to the original press release, WAC CEO Matthew Stevens was credited with the quote that defines Wellness FX as a, "...unique measurement tool [that] helps members track their success. Seventy percent of the data needed for accurate health diagnosis and management is in our blood—and our blood cells regenerate every 120 days. This system allows our members to measure not only the physical changes, but also the biological changes happening within."

Not all the Western Athletic Clubs offer all the new courses, but here are links to the locations: SURFSET, GRIT, and Wellness FX.  

If you get a chance to try any of these, let me know. Meanwhile, here are some photos of a SURFSET class.