By Ofelia Saenz, Staff Writer
Working out can be an intimidating affair, which is why the owners of the recently opened Signal Hill Athletic Club (the SHAC) did their best to create an environment where members can concentrate on improving their quality of life without the distraction of feeling uncomfortable.
“We want our clients to feel comfortable,” said chiropractor Brian Lum. Under the supervision of Lum and his two partners in the business, massage therapist Catherine Duggan and athletic director Eric Shimizu, the small staff at the SHAC is big on customer service.
The SHAC opened its doors June 1. The facility offers gym memberships, personal training, group training, chiropractic therapy and massage therapy, all under one roof.
“There are a lot of other gyms out there,” Duggan said. “We wanted a place that could be a one-stop shop for fitness.”
Outfitted with state-of-the-art, name-brand equipment, the SHAC prides itself on providing its members with the facilities and equipment of a larger gym and the personal service and atmosphere of a smaller, personal training gym.
After receiving a membership, clients who’ve never worked out with gym equipment are taken through an initial orientation.
“We will take them through the different weights so that they feel comfortable,” Duggan said.
Some of the more advanced athletic members can take advantage of deluxe equipment such as a power-lifting platform and bumper weights or the electronic Precor cable-system weight machine, which allows the lifter to work without a spotter.
The location also has ample convenient parking.
“We’re at home in Signal Hill and Long Beach. So we figured why not stay in our community and try to help better our community,” Duggan said. With 32 years combined experience in the fitness industry, the folks from the SHAC say it only made sense for their paths to cross in such a way.
“We do this for the love of wanting to help people,” Duggan said. “If we can help them, then we know we’ve done our job.”
The Signal Hill Athletic Center is located at 2275 Redondo Avenue in Signal Hill. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The SHAC is closed Sundays.
For more information, call (562) 498-7093 or visit www.TheSHAC.net.
