New Multisport Performance Center!!!

[benbiggles]

As many of you know EMC will be closing its doors at the end of APril. This is a great shame as many of ius have benefitted from riding there and generally hanging out and using it as a social hub. The team has used the facility in the past and it will be a shame to see it go.

With the loss of EMC comes an opportunity for Cindy and I to open our own Performance Center either in the existing space or another unit within the immediate vicinity of the current space (Overlake Business Center, Redmond for those who are unfamiliar).

A question I have for you all is what would be your top five requirements for such a place, for example:

1. It is convenient for work
2. It has changing facilities and showers
3. There are good ride leaders and logical structure to the workouts
4. A membership option to use the facility outside of standard class hours
5. Ability to hang out and socialize with fellow multisport athletes

Your input here would be greatly appreciated, oh and any spare $$$'s you might want to invest :)

[HansLund]

High on my list is a well stocked bar and a large flat panel. If you can have it up and running by this Thursday we can watch the Huskies :D

[benbiggles]

I'll work on it...:)

[MikePritch]

#1, 3 and 4 are key on my list. convenient, smart workouts, and available for days like last Saturday. Add low cost to the list.

also liked the bike/run sessions we ran last year - Wed nights.

[jrplatt]

Ben,

Your 1-5 pretty much hit the nail on the head. I like how EMC has storage for bikes for those that regulars, that makes it easier to get a workout in with dealing with loading/unloading your gear from home. Showers are nice for those that do AM workouts and do not have facilities at their place of work. A lounge area would be great too for social events/post-workout. What about a treadmill (I am not familiar with the run routes near EMC)?

Oh and maybe an endless pool or two!:D

[BryanU]

Sounds like a great opportunity for you (and for the team, since I know we'll all get free-run of the place! right?).

Here are my top 5 requirements for the space:

* Massage services (also a way to bring in income by having a room or two that LMT's can rent for other massages)
* An endless pool with bottom-mirror and video analysis
* A smoothie/coffee bar with a barista (preferably female) in a bikini
* Monthly foam parties
* A mechanical bull for settling all types of disputes and challenges

(Since I live nowhere near the area you're proposing, you might want to disregard much of this. However, if you're locating closer to Factoria/Eastgate/MI/Bellevue, this list stands.)

By the way, can you tell me the particular reasons why you are looking at locating in the same business park as EMC - as opposed to anywhere else?

[Kara]

1,2 and 5 are key for me. (Convenience, shower/change area & ability to use it during non-class hours for a membership fee.)

FYI- I have had quite a few people interested in taking the Wed a.m. class that I do at EMC, but they were dissuaded by the fact that there was no place to shower before work:(

I also agree with Pritchard that having the option to ride on a miserably rainy Sat a.m. would be awesome (or Sunday, or whenever.) I am curious how the "drop in" method would work with the computrainer courses.

Thanks Ben!

[chrisesposito]

In priority order:
3
1
4
2 (this is 4th only because I can shower at work)
5

Chris

[giovanni]

close to work is super important otherwise I will always arrive late. showers not important (i smell anyway).

[lakerfan]

1, 2 and 5 are most important to me.

Thanks, Chris

[benbiggles]

Those of you that provided input on this thank you.

As most of you now know the concept is now a reality with the Performance Center opening on November 1st.

It will be offered on a membership basis first and foremost although punch cards and individual 'drop ins' will be available. The emphasis is on subscription based membership and therefore this is the most cost effective way to ride at the facility if you intend on using it a minimum of twice a week.

There will initially be four scheduled rides Mon-Fri and two scheduled rides Sat-Sun. Those are eight station multi-ride classes. There will also be four stand alone CT's for members and 'drop ins' who might want to ride outside of scheduled class hours and/or have a very specific workout they need to get done.

Other features will be treadmills, swim bench, free weights, core and flexibility classes and a lounge area. Facility will also offer bike storage, bike fit and at a later stage there will be a retail element.

I hope to see you all at the launch event on November 1st.

Thanks again for your input.
Ben

[andrew]

Hi Ben - great that you're doing this.
I'd love a place near work i can use through the year.
For me the key (other than location) is the structured work-outs peice. I have a computrainer at home, and i bet most people have a trainer of some description so its not so much the ability to ride indoors thats key - its the motivation of a bunch of others riding indoors with me and keeping me honest.
Some variety of work-out is great, and i really enjoyed the bike - run - bike workouts.
oh and loud music that the neighbours wont complain about!

[max]

Ben - so delighted about the center as you know. The only bad news is I can't be there for the opening as I will be in Beijing at the time.:( However, can I sort out with you the rides I would like to do before I leave to make sure I am in the right classes?

[benbiggles]

Hi Max,

To clarify, the center won't work like that. You will have a responsibility to sign up for the rides you want to do through the Mind Body online scheduling system. There will be a ride description available and the ride leader will also be specified.

Rides will be categorized L4, L5, FTP Test, Technique, Intro, 2D (Course will be specified), Tempo (Mostly at or around L2-L3) etc.

Hope the helps.
Ben

[benbiggles]

The website is www.vo2performance.com and the class schedule can be viewed by visiting the 'schedule' page and then clicking on the hyperlink at the foot of the page.

Starting January 2010 all Vo2Multisport Team members will be able to access 'off peak' rides (defined as any class after 8am and before 4:30pm) for a 50% discount. Watch this space for more detail.

Ben