LYNDHURST –
Just how enticing is King’s Court Health & Sports Club? After a short visit, even someone (like your correspondent) to whom the concept of “sports” and even “health” is anathema, is tempted to sign up.
If you are serious about your workouts and training regimen, my bet is you’ll be more than tempted.
Adding to the attraction is that it’s a family-owned business, which indicates a more personal investment in keeping things running smoothly and in offering the latest in fitness classes and equipment.
King’s Court, housed in an architecturally pleasing building at 525 Riverside Ave. (near the intersection of Kingsland Ave.), has been in business since 1980, when it was primarily a racquet-ball and sports venue. In fact, one staffer told us, “I’ve heard people say, ‘I didn’t know this was a gym!’” Those people obviously don’t realize how much the place has changed over the decades. And especially over the last year or so.
The 60,000-square-foot building has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation resulting in what marketing director Kristin Degenhardt described as a “state-of-the-art facility.”
Degenhardt gave us a personal tour, and what we saw was impressive. And pristine.
Much of it (since we are unfamiliar with exercise) was also mysterious, but Degenhardt happily answered all our questions.
We were first introduced to the “full body circuit,” which to our untrained eyes resembled the command center of some alien spacecraft, but in truth it is a circle of various workout and weight machines.
Complete the circuit and burn calories and build muscle strength and other good things.
King’s Court has two of these “circuit” centers, one in a room of its own and another in the huge gym — which also features treadmills and stationary cycles and ellipticals and multitudinous other exercise equipment, plus weight-training equipment, too. And unlike some gyms, it is light and airy, thanks to all the windows.
Our favorite room, though, was the one where the popular spinning classes are held. Thanks to the lighting (and the music when classes are in session), it resembles a cyclist’s disco. Extremely appealing.
And so is the beautiful swimming pool, which Degenhardt pointed out is a spa pool, not a lap pool. (Though you can swim laps, if you like.) It features two large Jacuzzis, and the temperature of the 5-foot-deep water is warmer than that of a lap pool.
The renovated club also features steam rooms and saunas, a basketball court (there are King’s Court leagues), racquet ball courts, and a spacious aerobics room (that room and the sports courts have floating hardwood floors, designed to lessen impact on knees and other joints).
There is also a brand new indoor running track and a TRX center. (TRX, we were told, is one of the new fitness fads, invented by the Marine Corps, and involving multiple exercises and weight training.)
Renovations are continuing, too. By midsummer, King’s Court hopes to have added a 120-foot-long indoor turf field for such sports as soccer and flag football.
And, oh yes, there’s also a “nursery,” where a parent can leave their child (age six months to 10 years old) to be entertained while mommy or daddy exercises.
As for group classes, there are too many to list here, King’s Court has flyers showing the seven-day-a-week schedule and describing what each offering is. Kickboxing, Pilates, Zumba and Yoga we understand, but there are others (Tabata Training, Piloxing, Crossfire) which are a puzzlement to us. But King’s Court will happily explain.
Plus, new members can avail themselves of a free physical assessment and training session, the better to choose which exercises/classes they might benefit from — and enjoy — most.
On Saturday, June 1, King’s Court will host a free Summer Kick-Off party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. so prospective members–or just the curious general public–”can get a feel for the club,” which currently has approximately 2,500 members.
As for membership costs, “Inquire within.” You are invited to set up an appointment, or just stop by, and discuss the wide array of membership packages.
You can contact King’s Court at 201-460-0088 or by email: kingscourtnj@gmail. com. General club hours are Monday – Thursday, 5:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.; Friday, 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday, 7 a.m. -7 p.m.
For more information, visit kingscourtnj.com.
— Karen Zautyk
