Club History

History/Amenities

History & Philosophy: Health Club Celebrating Our 32nd Anniversary In Current Location!

Northgate Health Club, under the ownership of Rochester Fitness, Inc. began operations at 1112 Seventh Street NW on October 23, 1991. In this location prior to this date, a health club was operated by two different owners: first, Cosmopolitan Sports & Swim Club opened its doors in 1968. Second, Northgate Health Club, Inc. took over the business in the fall of 1980. Northgate Health Club, Inc. operated the health club until Rochester Fitness, Inc. purchased certain assets in the fall of 1991. Through all three owners this health club location has faithfully served the Rochester community without interruption for over 35 years.

Northgate Health Club is a private, for-profit club with usage restricted to paying members, guests of members and guests who pay a daily or monthly fee. By choosing to be a "private" rather than a "public" facility, Northgate hopes to cultivate a "club culture." By "club culture" we mean a place where members feel like they are a permanent and integral part of a group; attached, interested and committed to the Club, its functions and their activities. The Club becomes a vacation home away from home.

The Club's facilities and programs are primarily designed to serve adults and their fun/fitness needs. However, the Club also offers family time and limited youth programs to help parents enhance their children's interest in the benefits of fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

It is the desire of management that this Club be service-orientated. The Employee Team Mission is "Be Legendary" in both attitude and action. Our goal is to put a smile on every member at every opportunity as we attempt to meet their needs and exceed their desires.

Over the years, the Club has seen its share of facelifts - almost too numerous to count. Ownership/management believes in aggressively adjusting to the ever-changing needs of its membership. When the doors first opened as Cosmopolitan Sports & Swim Club, the Club featured 16,000 square feet with (2) locker rooms, swimming pool, (2) universal gyms, (4) Schwinn exercycles, (2) self-propelled treadmills, a small amount of paramount and free weight equipment, nursery, and nutrition/snack bar. At that time, personalized fitness programs were emphasized and no fitness classes were offered.

But "times... they were a changing." Over the next decades more space was added and the interior re-designed and re-re-designed. In addition, new facilities, equipment and programs were introduced to the members. Today, Northgate features over 24,000 square feet including the following:

Individualized fitness programs designed and supervised by certified personal trainers

(2) locker rooms with tiled whirlpools and dry heat saunas

Indoor swimming pool for individual swimming/workouts & water aerobics classes

(2) fitness class studios, including our unique "Spinning" Studio with (24) Johnny G. Spinning bikes; the only Certified Spinning Facility in Rochester

Comprehensive group fitness program featuring over 40 classes per week including Spinning, POWER HOUR & Pilates

Largest, most complete free weight room in southern Minnesota featuring over 8,000 pounds of York plating and dumbbells

Total fitness area featuring the finest in cardio and toning/strength equipment

16-station Nautilus Circuit

11-station Cybex Circuit

10-Station Paramount Circuit

Gravitrons

Star Trac Treadmills

Stairmaster & Climbmax Steppers

Star Trac Crosstrainers

Stairmaster Free Runners

Life Fitness & Star Trac Cycles

Concept II Rowing Machines

Motorized Climbing Wall

(3) Multi-Functional Trainers

Wireless Cardio Theater System featuring two tiers of TV's with audio picked up on a personal walkman

Indoor walking track

1200 Square Foot Multi-Purpose Fitness Room for ab exercise, core training, strength training and stretching

Northgate Nursery for children 2 months to 10 years

Full-Service Tanning Center featuring (4) 15-minute Wolff System Tanning Beds and (1) 10-minute / 38 bulb bed by Perfect Tan along with a complete line of tanning enhancers and accessories

Pro Shop & Nutritional Supplement Center

Northgate's success is built on the loyal patronage of its members. We are cognizant of their wish to have a vital, high functioning club... but a club that is not overcrowded.

The fitness movement is growing, Northgate's future is brighter than ever and we look forward to serving the Rochester Area's adult fitness needs through the next millennium.