Rochester Athletic Club

Fit for the Future

Advocating for health and fitness in unparalleled facilities

Since 1993, the Rochester Athletic Club has been more than a place to work out; it’s been a gathering place where families grow, friendships form, and advocacy for better health reaches beyond city limits. Today, the RAC is recognized as one of the largest multipurpose health clubs in the United States, spanning 260,000 square feet. 

Inside its walls, members find an extraordinary range of options, fitness training, racquet sports, aquatics, family-friendly play spaces, and even a neighborhood-style recreation area designed for families with kids ages 6-12 in mind. Yet the size and amenities are only part of the story. What truly defines the RAC is its culture of care, innovation, and community.

Lobbying for health

For General Manager Brent Frueh, the RAC’s impact goes far beyond its walls. Advocacy for the health and fitness industry has become one of the club’s most important roles, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re one of the larger individual health clubs in the country,” Frueh says. “We’ve been a member of the Health and Fitness Association since the club opened, and when COVID hit our industry, we realized quickly that we weren’t well represented in Washington. We weren’t considered an essential business; we were lumped in with bars and restaurants. But what we do for people’s health and well-being is far more important than that.”

That experience spurred the RAC to strengthen its investment in the Health and Fitness Association, funneling membership dues toward lobbying efforts designed to elevate the industry’s voice.

Assistant General Manager Sarah Stille has taken that advocacy to Capitol Hill. “I was fortunate to attend the HFA fly-in earlier this year with my REX Roundtable group, the Iron Maidens,” she recalls. “We met with various members of congress to advocate for the PHIT Act. It was important to make our presence known and show how preventive care through fitness keeps communities healthier.”

Peer groups like REX Roundtables provide both accountability and influence. The RAC’s leadership participates at every level, Stille in her all-women’s group, Frueh in a general managers’ group, and the club’s owner in an owners’ roundtable. “It’s a big investment,” Frueh notes, “but it gives us a louder, more unified voice across the industry.”

Fitness Director Dr. Steve Boring emphasizes how urgent that voice has become. “It was shocking that industries like alcohol were deemed essential, but health and wellness were not. That taught us that if we don’t tell our story, no one else will.”

A family-focused fitness destination

Advocacy may shape the RAC’s national presence, but at home in Rochester, its mission is about community and family. Serving nearly 16,000 members in a city of 130,000, the club has become a cornerstone for wellness and recreation.

“We’re a multipurpose club,” Frueh says. “Beyond fitness, we offer racquet sports, basketball, pools, and even an outdoor waterpark. But one of our strongest focuses is family. We want to provide something for every age group.”

That focus is perhaps best embodied in The Neighborhood, a 35,000-square-foot play area designed for kids but open to all. “I call it our 35,000 square feet of fun,” Stille says with a smile. “We’ve got Aeroball cages, miniature golf, batting cages, and more. In Minnesota, where it’s cold much of the year, this space gives families an outlet to be active together. Making fitness fun at a young age is critical, so kids grow up seeing it as part of life, not a chore.”

The Neighborhood also allows parents to carve out time for themselves. “Members can check their kids in while they work out, take a class, or just have a moment to relax,” Stille adds. “We want to make it easy for families to stay active together.

On the fitness side, Boring ensures members feel personally supported. “We connect with people wherever they’re at in their journey. We’ve got dietitians, personal trainers, and health coaches. But what sets us apart is our Member Connection Specialist. Her role is not sales; it’s about helping new members find their place. In a club this size, it’s easy to get lost. We make sure no one does.”

With 55 personal trainers, over 115 weekly group fitness classes, a Pilates reformer program, and a dedicated mind-body department, the RAC ensures that every member can find their fit. For those intimidated by the main floor, EGYM, a digital circuit training system, provides a welcoming alternative. “It’s like having a personal trainer built into each machine,” Boring explains. “It remembers your settings, does automatic strength tests, and guides you safely. For newcomers, it’s been a game-changer.”

Reputation over promotion

Even with its size and scope, the RAC doesn’t rely on heavy advertising. Its reputation does the work. “We’ve been around since 1993, and we’re the only true multipurpose club in our market,” Frueh says. “There are plenty of places to exercise, but if you want a premium, family-focused experience, this is where you come. We don’t discount memberships or run gimmicky promotions. We believe in pricing integrity. We want our value to speak for itself.”

Stille echoes that sentiment. “It’s truly word of mouth, and you can’t put a price tag on that. We don’t even have a referral program; it just happens naturally.” 

For Boring, it all comes down to authenticity. “I’ve been in fitness since I was seven years old, and I knew the first time I walked into RAC that this was different. Families grow up here. Kids I saw shooting baskets a decade ago are now applying to work here. That sense of belonging is rare, and it fuels our reputation.”

Reinvesting in spaces and experiences

Staying relevant means continuous reinvestment. Frueh describes it as a balancing act: “When you have this much space, you can’t renovate everything at once. You have to prioritize what will make the biggest impact on members.”

Recent upgrades include transforming squash and racquetball courts into a high-performance turf and strength area, as well as adding eight outdoor pickleball courts to meet skyrocketing demand. “Pickleball is booming, and now we have some of the nicest courts in the community,” Frueh says.

Every four years, the cardio floor gets a complete refresh. This fall, 65 new machines will replace the old. Meanwhile, the RAC’s app is undergoing a redesign to make scheduling, booking, and communication more seamless.

For Stille, even back-office upgrades matter. “We’re moving away from paper forms to digital ones for everything from program sign-ups to resignations. It reduces workload, cuts errors, and makes things easier for both staff and members.”

Frueh credits ownership for enabling such steady reinvestment. “We’re fortunate. Our owner doesn’t rest on laurels. They constantly push us to innovate and reinvest, and that commitment shows in the member experience.”

Service and trust

When it comes to equipment and vendor choices, relationships outweigh transactions.

“We don’t just buy something and walk away,” Boring says. “We look for partners who will be with us for the long term, who answer the phone when something breaks, and who help us innovate together. Relationships matter more than machines.”

That philosophy recently guided the club through a vendor switch for its cardio equipment. “It wasn’t just about the machines,” Boring notes. “It was about service, responsiveness, and the ability to collaborate.”

Stille adds that RAC leadership often seeks inspiration beyond fitness. “Every few years, we attend the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) show. Since we’re so family-focused, it sparks creative ideas for The Neighborhood. It’s about thinking differently and staying ahead.”

Evolving through values and vision

Looking ahead, the RAC’s vision is steady growth through refinement, not expansion.

“We’re not looking to open another facility,” Frueh explains. “We want to be the best we can be within our walls. That means continuous improvement—whether it’s upgrading our app, refreshing equipment, or fine-tuning member experience. It’s about doing things better every year.”

For Boring, the excitement lies in people more than technology. “Innovation doesn’t always mean gadgets. It’s about better ways to serve members. I’m especially excited to see how our personal training department continues to grow. With a mission of ‘member experience first,’ the future is bright.”

Stille ties it back to values. “One of our core values is to challenge the process, to ask how we can do better constantly. That’s what keeps us evolving. I’ve said to my husband, “If we ever had to leave Rochester for his job, I’d be done, because I truly believe I won’t find this anywhere else in the world.”

A culture that feels like home

In the end, what makes the Rochester Athletic Club extraordinary isn’t its size, its programs, or even its longevity; it’s the people. Members feel at home, staff see their work as a calling, and leaders treat their mission with authenticity.

“Our mission statement is member experience first,” Boring reflects. “And we live that every day. Families grow up here, staff build lifelong careers here, and the community thrives because of it. That’s what makes RAC unlike any other place.”

Frueh agrees. “I’ve been in different places throughout my career, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be. It’s not always easy, but with this team, it’s always worth it.”

In a world where fitness is too often transactional, the Rochester Athletic Club proves that true wellness is relational, about advocacy, innovation, and, most importantly, community. For more than 30 years, it has lived that truth. And in Rochester, Minnesota, it continues to grow stronger every day.

At A Glance

Who: Rochester Athletic Club

What: A full-service fitness and wellness facility offering extensive amenities such as gyms, pools, tennis courts, group fitness classes, childcare, and family-focused recreational programs.

Where: Rochester, Minnesota

Website: https://www.racmn.com/