The Cincinnati Athletic Club, the oldest in America, isn't quite the old boys' hangout that it used to be. Although the posh, private club still caters primarily to men, women are now in on the party.

More than two dozen ladies have snapped up the downtown club's social memberships, which before 2006 had only been available to men. Social memberships open the doors to the club's recently renovated bar, restaurant and lounge. The ladies also can rent out the space for private parties and attend athletic club events.

Social memberships, which don't include access to athletic facilities, harken back to the club's past that goes back to its founding in 1853, General Manager Dan Hayes says. Earlier in its history, it actually offered a women's exercise class at a time when women stuffed themselves in corsets, and it was socially frowned upon when women worked out, he said.

"There was a women-only exercise class, and the trainer was recorded as saying he thought exercise for females would become more popular and would replace the corset," Hayes says. Truer words were never said.

In addition, the Cincinnati Athletic Club also holds luncheons, fundraisers, wine tastings, holiday parties and more. The activities are open to women, and some are family-friendly. And with social memberships, a couple can stop in for an adult beverage during happy hour from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day.

The facility no longer offers women's exercise classes. And though women make up the vast majority of social memberships, there's plenty of testosterone-fueled activity there. Regular, men-only memberships include a personal trainer service, top-notch cardio and strength-training equipment, basketball, racquetball, a golf hitting range, sauna and stream room, wireless Internet and more.

One of the club's most popular events is Friday Night Fights. The boxing charity event, in partnership with LaRosa's Pizzeria founder Buddy LaRosa, raises money for the Cincinnati Golden Gloves and the Cincinnati Police Athletic League. The event is in memory of longtime dedicated member Marty Horwitz. More than 300 people attend the annual event, Hayes says. This year's event was March 13 and raised $2,000, he says.

One of the biggest perks for either membership is the access that members receive to more than 340 private clubs worldwide. Those include the Army Navy club in Washington D.C., The Olympic Club in San Francisco and Club Quarters in New York City. Some offer discounts and others, special treats to Cincinnati Athletic Club members.

"This is especially attractive to women and men who travel a lot," Hayes says. "There are athletic facilities, dining and lodging in some of them. Each club has a different way of doing things."

The Cincinnati Athletic Club is located at 111 Shillito Place. Hours are 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. It's open every day except Christmas. For more information, call (513) 241-0096.

PHOTO CREDITS
Photographer: Neysa Ruhl Photography
Model: Dan Hayes

Location: The McAlpin

Feoshia Henderson
		About the author:
		Feoshia Henderson is a freelance contributor for Cincy Chic.
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Last update: 22-04-2009 12:09

Published in : Magazine Items, Social