Christopher Soto didn’t know what to expect when he took the job as the director of corporate wellness and partnerships at Charlotte Athletic Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. What he found at this luxury health club was a community of business professionals with a deep sense of philanthropy.
“The majority of our clients are corporate clients, entrepreneurs, doctors and lawyers and these are people who aren’t quick to spend their money,” said Soto. “But we are huge in our community with philanthropy.”
Soto said he had no real ambitions to be in the fitness industry — his background was in the hospitality industry with a degree in event planning. But when the opportunity arose, Soto said he wanted to challenge himself in a field he had no experience in.
“The opportunity came up and I thought, why not? Something different, something new, something that will bring up challenges,” said Soto. “As a young professional I think that’s something we all need to grow, is new challenges.”
Thanks to the members at Charlotte Athletic Club, Soto explained he has been able to use his background in event planning to great success. By partnering with local non-profit organizations, the club has been able to raise awareness and funding for local issues in the area.
When a member needed to lose weight to be an organ donor for his brother, the club offered him a free membership with nutrition counseling and personal training. The club also partnered with the National Kidney Foundation and held a cycling marathon, which raised $5,000.
“For me personally, philanthropy is a huge thing,” said Soto. “But also our members, being high up on the corporate ladder, these are the sort of people that donate regularly. So for us to raise awareness on a local level about what is going on in our community is a huge thing.”
Currently, the club features a variety of staple and unique exercise classes, such as indoor cycling and barre, in addition to offering personal training and nutrition counseling.
As the club looks to open its second location in uptown Charlotte, it hopes to do a few things differently, such as broadening its membership base and promoting the brand name more.
However, Soto said the one thing that will never change is the club’s deep commitment to helping others in the community.
By Ethan Smith
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
