Each year at this time, we reflect on the past year and look ahead to the year to come. This practice helps us acknowledge our achievements, which in turn guide and motivate our future success.

The Newtown Athletic Club is pleased to provide an update on construction progress, and share insights into the challenges we’ve navigated together.

Over the last year and a half, a variety of projects have taken longer than expected. Delays in construction stem from the broader impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly affected the industry and fitness clubs across the nation.

Following a four-month shutdown and over a year of operating at a reduced capacity, the pandemic presented unprecedented difficulties, including a $15 million revenue loss. In spite of these challenges, we made the bold decision to invest over $10 million into enhancing our facilities—an investment that set us apart, as few, if any, in the industry could make the same claim. These enhancements include the addition of Studio Row, renovations to the men’s and women’s locker rooms, the Well Lounge, Back Gym, and upgrades to both indoor and outdoor pools.

Beyond ownership of the NAC, Jim Worthington has pursued supplementary ventures that support and enhance the club’s offerings, a rare approach in this sector. During the pandemic, Jim listed real estate for sale to maintain operations and ensure the completion of ongoing projects. This included land that was under agreement, to be settled in the Fall of 2023.

Shockingly, this land was condemned and taken by eminent domain by a public utility, not only holding up settlement proceeds for over a year until last month, but also keeping us from obtaining funding to complete our projects. This financial hardship and timing impacted us enormously, causing our improvement and renovation plans to slow to a crawl.

With the partial settlement of this property last month, we now have the resources to confidently move forward with our construction and renovation projects, while also planning for future enhancements.

Unveiling of the New Back Gym Experience

We proudly unveiled the complete renovation of the NAC’s 11,000 sq. ft. Back Gym Strength Training and collegiate-style weight room in January/February 2024. This $750,000 project included the installation of everything from new turf to rubber flooring, and over 30 state-of-the-art pieces of Arsenal Strength training equipment, designed to cater to both Olympic-style training and traditional plate-loaded weight training. The renovation reflects our commitment to investing in the growing demographic of members who seek advanced strength training options, ensuring they have access to top-tier facilities and equipment to meet their fitness goals.

Since its opening, we’ve seen over triple the usage of the gym and are thrilled with the positive response and impact this enhancement has had on our members.

Indoor Pool Renovation Complete & New Swim School Opened

The indoor pool, inaugurated in 1996, embarked on a comprehensive renovation project starting in the Fall of 2023 and reopened in January 2024.

This extensive endeavor, totaling $2.5 million, involved the installation of new heating and filtration systems in a redesigned pump room, the application of new plaster to both the lap and therapy pool, re-tiling of all pools and the pool deck, updating the lighting system, addressing sound barriers and the addition of a glass wall. This project also included many features not visible to members including a dehumidification system.

The renovation of our pool not only increased lane space for members, with the addition of an extra lane, but also enhanced water quality.

In February, we introduced our new learn-to-swim program, the NAC FINS Swim Academy, which successfully taught over 7,000 swim lesson time slots.

At the Outdoor Resort, we are proud to report that more than 4,000 swimmers passed our swim test!

A Poolside Summer Escape

The longest pool season on the East Coast

This past summer the NAC’s Outdoor Pool Resort was filled with an exciting array of family-friendly events and activities. From the lively atmosphere of Mayfest to the upbeat Friday nights featuring live music, there was something for everyone. Teen nights brought our younger crowd together, while the Flick and Float movies at the family pool on the big screen were a hit with all ages. The season also included our festive and patriotic holiday celebrations, karaoke, a Family Luau, the Newtown Blue Dawgs Little League World Series celebration party, and our very first-ever NACtoberfest, which brought a unique twist to the summer fun.

Our Studio Fitness community enjoyed 80s-themed barre at the bar, while countless birthdays were celebrated throughout the season, adding a personal touch to the vibrant community.

We are proud to say the Escape pool complex is recognized as the finest facility of it’s type in the entire fitness industry by our peers.

The Only Outdoor Pool Where Swimming is Year Round!

For the second year in a row, our Adult Pool and Hot Tub will remain open throughout the winter months.

This exciting benefit has allowed members to enjoy the pool throughout the year, with a few brave families even taking the plunge in 30-degree weather for one last splash during the special Family Swim events!

Barre Lab New Studio Opened

Raising the barre, one pulse at a time. Barre Lab, the newest addition to Studio Row, delivered a distinctive and empowering workout experience through specialty small-group Barre classes.

In 2024, we witnessed remarkable participation in Barre classes, a trend that has continued and highlights our community’s steadfast dedication to health.

New Partnership with St. Mary Medical Center Addressing Your Total Wellness Needs

This spring, we proudly partnered with St. Mary Medical Center to bring seamless health care solutions to our members. As our on-site medical partner, St. Mary Medical Center is here to make managing your health effortless. They offer complimentary health-focused services such as facilitating specialist or primary care appointments, scheduling medical procedures, addressing billing questions, and more – all designed to support you and your family. By combining fitness, healthy living, and expert medical care, this partnership enhances not only the wellbeing of our members but also the strength of our community.

Have a health care-related need or question? Schedule an appointment here, or visit their office in the main lobby today!

The Well’s Longevity Lounge Expansion Opened

The Well Lounge celebrated its grand opening as a SkinCeuticals flagship location, unveiling revolutionary services, therapies, and a completed expansion featuring 5 new treatment rooms, Cryotherapy, massage chairs, a retail showcase, and the Ammortal Chamber – a unique longevity experience.

Led by Dr. Meg Zakarewicz, our Medical Weight Management programs continue to thrive, with plans to expand into hormone therapy in 2025. The new year will also bring enhanced skincare treatments, health coaching, IV therapy, and more.

NAC Members enjoy exclusive perks, including a free two-week Cryotherapy trial, one free monthly massage chair session, and a complimentary health coaching session. Click here to redeem.

We look forward to helping you look, feel, and live your best life with cutting-edge longevity and recovery therapies.

Dedicated Stretch Studio

We’ve made strides in broadening our wellness offerings with the introduction of our Stretch Suite, a specialized space for stretch therapy.

This year, our staff achieved Facial Stretch Therapy (FST) Certification, recognized as the gold standard in stretch therapy. This cutting-edge approach has enabled us to provide personalized sessions that enhance flexibility, mobility, and overall well-being. To book a complimentary stretch session, email fitness@newtownathletic.com.

Newtown Performance Institute NOW OPEN

State-of-The-Art training facility on the NAC campus

Offering top-tier programs in MMA, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and striking, alongside elite strength and conditioning for youth and adult athletes!

A highlight of the year was our partnership with MMA legend Eddie Alvarez, whose expertise and passion elevate our programming to unprecedented heights. Together with our world-class coaching team, we’re proud to provide a space where athletes of all levels can achieve peak performance.

We’re more determined than ever to make the Newtown Performance Institute the leading performance center in the country. Thank you to our athletes, members, and staff for making this an unforgettable start.

Unlock your free trial of MMA, Boxing, or Jiu-Jitsu here.

Going Beyond Sports at the Newtown Sports & Events Center

The Newtown Sports & Events Center has enjoyed another fantastic year, showcasing its diverse range of offerings that go beyond just sports. As the proud home to majority of the local high school sports programs, including Council Rock, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, and more, the Center has continued to serve a community hub. Home of 14 Ghost baseball teams, this year, we celebrated a milestone for the program with our first group of college commitments to prestigious collegiate programs!

With over 70 different teams utilizing our state-of-the-art facility, the Center also welcomed 4,000 summer campers, hosted numerous event rentals, hosted our annual kids New Years Eve party and offered soccer lessons to local athletes. Whether it’s for sports, community events, or development programs, the Newtown Sports & Events Center continues to be a vibrant hub that unites people and fosters growth and excellence! More information can be found on the website.

Exciting Construction Projects on the Horizon

The NAC is undertaking several exciting projects as part of its ongoing vision to enrich the member experience and offer the most comprehensive amenities, which continues to establish the NAC as one of the top health clubs in the world.

The following projects are set to progress in 2025.

Imported from Italy, the new Men’s Locker Room – Steam Room and Sauna are nearing completion and will be open for use in February. This addition was one of the most affected by the condemnation and the one-year delay in compensation, primarily due to its $2 million construction cost.

New Member Lounge in the Central Part of the Club: There will be the creation of a member lounge in the heart of the club that is designed to foster a social environment where members can socialize, work, or enjoy refreshments from the cafe. The lounge will be a central hub for relaxation and community engagement.

New Hot (Yoga) Studio on Studio Row: A new 1,220 sq. ft. studio is being built to serve as a dedicated space for a variety of hot classes with infrared heat, with Hot Yoga being the prominent modality. This studio will offer a more intense workout, enhancing flexibility and strength. Located along Studio Row, it will become a key feature of the club’s offerings, and one that we know our NAC community is excited about.

New Reformer Pilates Studio: This 1,660 sq. ft., newly constructed studio, located off of the Mind Body wing (by our current Yoga and Pilates rooms) will accommodate 50% more participants than the existing studio reformer classes.

As part of the Newtown Athletic Club’s long-term vision, another exciting project on the horizon is the addition of a European spa. The term “Eurospa” suggests a blend of traditional European spa traditions with modern wellness practices, aiming to provide a rejuvenating and relaxing experience with a variety of pools. The three unique pools, with hot temperatures and cold plunge temperatures, offer a completely comprehensive recovery approach.

Expanding Our Vision From Fitness to Farming

Yes, you read that correctly! The NAC is now the ONLY Health Club in America to own & operate a local farm.

Located less than 1 mile from the NAC, this unique destination allows us to provide even more unique experiences for NAC members and the community.

This new initiative demonstrates NAC’s dedication to innovation and reflects its forward-thinking approach to community wellness and holistic and experiential living. While preserving the integrity and the values of The Village Farm, we’re excited to bring new energy and offerings to our community.

As part of your membership benefits, NAC members will have access to The Village Farm. We look forward to sharing these details shortly, including seasonal events, festivals, enriching summer camps, equestrian programs, & more as a part of your NAC membership benefits. The opportunities are endless at the Village Farm!

Newtown Discovery Preschool is Expanding

Located next door, at the end of our main NAC parking lot, our acclaimed Discovery Preschools achieved significant milestones in 2024, including completing a 7,000 sq. ft. expansion at our Newtown location, enhancing our ability to serve families with state-of-the-art classrooms and resources. We also signed for a second location in Warrington, marking a major step forward in our growth, with its grand opening planned for Spring 2025. Stay tuned for another exciting announcement regarding a second Newtown location! The Discovery Preschools CEO and founder, Amanda Sinkler has become in a very short time a sought after speaker and visionary in this very important child development space.

Camp NAC Celebrating 20th Year with Exciting New Adventures

Camp NAC continues to grow by leaps and bounds – now, thrilled to announce the newest addition to programming Village Farm Camp! This exciting program combines outdoor exploration, hands-on activities, and unique opportunities for growth and connection. Enrollment opens January 1st. Thank you to Brianne, Samantha, and Alexandra, for your dedication and passion in bringing this amazing camp experience to our community. Camp NAC, under their direction, leadership and vision is without a doubt one of the best Camp programs in America.

52K in 52 Weeks

Where charity begins at home. Thank you for your support.

For the past 3 years, under the direction of 44-year Employee Linda Mitchell, we have been honored to contribute a minimum of $1,000 each week to support a variety of causes, primarily local charities. We remain deeply committed to continuing this impactful initiative. Through our work, we’ve discovered that even in our peaceful corner of the world, there are profound needs that must be addressed. No one is immune to challenges, tragedy, or loss.

That is why we remain steadfast in our mission—raising funds and supporting our community in every way we can. We know that with your help, we can make a lasting difference.

Highlights include the Kentucky Derby event, which raised an impressive $100,000, and the Mission for Matt campaign, which brought in $45,000. Special thanks to Tracey Kent, a neighbor and friend of the Bellina family, along with her team of volunteers, for their collaboration with HAH in raising these vital funds.

In addition to raising these funds the Foundation donates up to $1 million annually in goods and services to support other charities and organizations in the community. Thank you for your continued support. We are truly grateful for your partnership in this journey. Visit our website for more details.

To support our efforts, you can go to nachaveaheart.org/donate to make a tax deductible contribution.

Hurricane Relief Initiative

Together, we collected, packed & sent trucks with essentials goods to areas in need.

NAC Have a Heart Foundation doesn’t just support local causes; it extends to national efforts as well, and we were proud to see the NAC community rise to the occasion in such a meaningful way with our Hurricane Disaster Relief initiative.

As pictured, we loaded and sent a tractor-trailer filled with essential goods, including water, diapers, and other non-perishables, directly to the areas in need. This is the heart of the NAC community: stepping up when it matters most. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this possible!