Frog's is looking for a few good bodies

A lot of action takes place in the recesses of that now-famous blue Pyramid on the north end of campus, but not all the sweating is done by uniformed 49er athletes.

Frog's, a small, privately owned health-club chain with operations in Solano Beach, Encinitas and Mission Valley, has moved into the first floor of The Pyramid and will soon become Cal State Long Beach's first oncampus, all-purpose health and fitness club.

From Sept. 5-30, CSULB students, faculty and staff, as well as community members can check out the gym and take advantage of free club memberships for 25 days. Paid membership programs begin Oct. 1.

The promotion is designed to let the CSULB and Long Beach community become familiar with the club and its programs until the remainder of the equipment is put into place.

Corrina Mckency, a front-desk representative for Frog's at The Pyramid, pointed out some of the freshly shipped, still-wrapped Stairmasters and noted that the club was "not up to Frog-speed yet."

General Manager Todd McKendrick said most of the staff at Frog's will be composed of CSULB students, many of them physical education, physical therapy, biology and nutrition majors.

McKendrick also noted the fertile climate for a health club at CSULB, as the 18-23 age group is generally the most physically fit, he said.

Once in full-operation, Frog's will offer fitness evaluation and orientation, diet and exercise technique programs, aerobics programs and dance classes, and, in addition to its variety of exercise machines, free weights and other personal training options.

Decor in the gym is well on its way to McKendrick's vision of sleek and modern, if not deconstructionist decor.

"It will be very much an industrial-looking facility," he said.

There are plans for dripping-paint scenes in the workout rooms, and other walls will be open for display by college, community and local artists.

Frog's offers different rate plans for students, faculty, staff, senior citizens, alumni, and the public.

One advantage rarely seen in other health-club chains is that day, week, month, semester, academic year and annual rate plans are available.

McKendrick also noted a 2,500-person cap on memberships to insure the quality of customer service.

He said Frog's will appeal to both the student and community population. "We really believe in the attitude that exercise is for everyone Ñ we're not a glamour gym," McKendrick said.

Membership rate sheets for Frog's are available now at The Pyramid (blue entrance, ground-level), or by calling (310) 985-5995.