Hello friends,

I’m reaching out to you as a fellow fitness enthusiast who truly values the classes and community we share at the club.

Are you aware that every summer our club cancels roughly 10 fitness classes for the months July through October, and yet we pay the same dues for those four months, as do part time residents? This adversely affects full time residents, especially those of us who rely on these classes as a core part of our wellness routine.

My husband and I were never told this would be the case when we moved into the country club, and I suspect most of you weren’t informed either.

Given the significant investment we make in dues, I find this unacceptable and resent feeling the need to seek outside gym memberships or fitness apps to fill the gap during these months. It also feels unfair to be asked to pay additional fees for access to Pilates reformers or personal training just to maintain our fitness until classes resume.

And this is just one of many concerns over our fitness centers, which have been voiced by members. Examples include:

• Instructor compensation: Our talented instructors are reportedly paid below industry standards, which makes it difficult to retain quality teachers long-term.
• Ironwood facility concerns: The sound system in the studio took nearly a year to repair, and many spin bikes remain out of order. The locker room is frequently overheated and odorous, and this summer, there’s been a persistent ant problem in the locker room, sauna, and even the studio.
• General studio room cleanliness: The studio room floors require more frequent cleaning; hairballs and dust bunnies are a regular occurrence at both fitness centers and are not pleasant companions when doing mat work.

Understandably, members are asking: why aren’t these issues being addressed more promptly, or at all?

From my perspective, the root of the problem seems to be a disproportionally small budget allocated to fitness. This seems backwards, considering fitness benefits everyone—regardless of age or preferred sport. Activities like golf, pickleball, bocce, and tennis may appeal to specific groups, but ALL of us rely on the fitness center to stay healthy and active.

What’s more, Anthem Country Club is reportedly the top-producing club in the entire ClubCorp network. Yet our revenue appears to be supporting lower-performing clubs, while our own facilities go underfunded. That doesn’t feel equitable.

So, I’m hoping to bring together a group of like-minded members who share these concerns. The goal is to schedule a respectful meeting with our General Manager, Monty, to voice our feedback and advocate for improvements. I believe that with a united, thoughtful approach, we can help elevate the fitness experience for everyone.

If you’re in agreement, please sign the petition below in support of this effort.

Warmly,

Leslie Bauer

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Petition for Enhanced Fitness Support at Anthem Country Club

We, the undersigned members of Anthem Country Club, respectfully request that the club leadership reevaluate and improve the support, funding, and maintenance of our fitness facilities and programming. Fitness is a vital part of our health and well-being, and we believe it deserves greater attention and investment.

Our concerns include:

1. Seasonal Class Cancellations: From July through October, approximately ten fitness classes are removed from the schedule, despite members continuing to pay full dues. This disproportionately affects full-time residents and those who rely on group classes for their fitness routines.
2. Additional Fees for Basic Fitness Access: Members are expected to pay extra for access to Pilates reformers and personal training, and many feel the need to supplement with fitness apps or additional gym memberships when regular classes are unavailable. This places an undue financial burden on those seeking to maintain their health year-round.
3. Facility Maintenance and Cleanliness: The Ironwood studio and locker rooms have faced prolonged issues, including broken equipment, poor ventilation, unpleasant odors, and pest sightings. In addition, both fitness center studio floors require more frequent cleaning, as dust bunnies and hair balls are a common occurrence. These conditions compromise the member experience and should be addressed promptly.
4. Instructor Compensation: Our instructors are reportedly paid below industry standards, which risks losing talented professionals and undermines the quality of our programming.
5. Budget Allocation Transparency: As the top-producing club in the ClubCorp network, Anthem generates substantial revenue. Yet our fitness facilities appear underfunded, while other recreational areas receive more visible investment. We believe fitness should be prioritized as a universally beneficial amenity.

We respectfully request:

• A review of the summer class schedule and dues structure to ensure fairness for year-round residents
• Increased funding for fitness equipment, maintenance, and facility upgrades
• Competitive compensation for instructors to retain top talent
• Greater transparency around budget allocation and how member dues are used
• A commitment to treating fitness as a core offering, not a secondary amenity

We appreciate the club’s efforts to provide a high-quality experience and hope this petition will encourage thoughtful dialogue and meaningful improvements.

Sincerely,

The undersigned members of Anthem Country Club