Aspen Athletic Club

But to truly understand why Aspen Athletic Clubs are the premiere fitness business in Iowa, it's important to understand what led this man to make a business out of his own athleticism and dedication to health and fitness. As a young Iowa boy growing up in Creston, Rod loved sports and excelled at football, basketball, track and baseball. He garnered attention in high school and became a legendary cornerback and letterwinner on the Hawkeye roster for the 1976-77 comeback team under Coach Bob Commings. Like many college athletes, Rod's success on the field translated to success in the next chapter as he made his way to Southern California where he entered the business of health fitness clubs and learned everything from the ground up. His love of the business grew as he gravitated to the member services and operations side of the business, wanting to help members improve their health and enjoy exercise by providing a club experience that catered to both objectives. When the opportunity came to translate that knowledge into locations in Iowa, Rod joined a team of entreprenuers in 2000 to buy, expand and improve Aspen Athletic Clubs. As an entrepreneur, Rod concentrated on expanding the business, improving the reputation and growing amenities for members. Along the way, Rod has met many professionals and regular people who have found successful ways to get healthy and lead a lifestyle of fitness and wellness. Long before fitness became a 100-billion-dollar industry in the U.S., Rod was expousing the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle by making good nutrition choices and exercising by participating in activities you enjoy. Those are the values and the passion that have made Aspen an athletic club - rather than a 6-week bootcamp or a series of classes on the latest exercise trend. You'll find Rod in the clubs every day. You'll find him playing tennis regularly - his activity of choice - with the Morning Club senior citizens at the Hickman location, or traveling with one of his USTA teams. You'll also find him interacting with members at every Aspen location. He likes to hear about their stories, how they met a weight loss goal, or improved their mobility or developed speed and agility and made the high school team. Many of those stories contain insights that get translated into new or expanded services for members at Aspen Athletic Clubs of Iowa. Sears has made a life out of health and fitness, and now, as a co-owner of Aspen Athletic Clubs, he's helping others make health and fitness a part of life.