Game on. Competition was the name of the game for this year’s Best of the Best contest. Numerous fitness facilities entered the fourth-annual contest, and after much consideration, our panel of judges decided which clubs were on top of their game for 2006. We’d like to congratulate this year’s winners and applaud all those facilities that entered for their hard work in the industry.

All entries were rated on a scale of 1 to 10 based on innovation, appeal, effectiveness and cost effectiveness by our panel of judges—carefully chosen by the Club Industry’s Fitness Business Pro staff for their expertise in certain categories. Each judge’s totals were then tallied resulting in a total score for each club. The facility with the highest average in each category was crowned Best of the Best. You may notice that two facilities tied for best specialized program for the obese population. Because we feel both programs equally deserve the title of Best of the Best, we’ve featured both of them.

The 2006 winners' programs are sure to inspire and motivate fitness professionals nationwide.

Read the September 2006 story on the Best of the Best winners by Jennipher Shaver, associate editor

1. Best Renovation: The Houstonian Club, Houston, TX

2. Best New Member Integration Program: Healthtrax at Avon Wellness Center, Avon, CT

3. Best On-Site Community Program, The Keller Pointe, Keller, TX

4. Best Non-Member Program, Genesys Athletic Club, Grand Blanc, MI

5. Best Children’s Program: Bodyworks Family Sports Center, Lubbock, TX

6. Best Senior Program: Fairhaven Retirement Community, Sykesville, MD

7. Best Specialized Program for the Obese Population–TIE: Elmwood Fitness Center, New Orleans

8. Best Specialized Program for the Obese Population–TIE: PRO Sports Club, Bellevue, WA

1. Vernard Alsberry, Kids Health Club

2. Cuoco Black, fitness facility designer

3. Geoff Dyer, Lifestyle Family Fitness

4. Jasmine Jafferali, East Bank Club

5. Grant Gamble, ACAC Fitness and Wellness Centers

6. Ronda Gates, Lifestyles by Ronda Gates

7. Diane Kelton, Milestone Wellness Center

8. Julie Main, Santa Barbara Athletic Club

9. Jill Kinney, Club One

10. Gale Landers, Fitness Formula

11. Colin Milner, International Council on Active Aging

12. Lauri Bradley, Lady of America

13. Steve Tharrett, consultant

14. Joe Shank, Almaden Valley Athletic Club

15. Bruce Carter, Optimal Fitness Systems International

16. Joe Cirulli, Gainesville Health and Fitness Center

17. Kelli Calabrese, Calabrese Consulting LLC

18. Laurie Cingle, Club Northwest

19. Sandy Coffman, Programming for Profit

20. Rudy Fabiano, Fabiano Designs

21. Terry Dezzutti, Merritt Athletic Clubs