I remember walking into Upper Deck Sports Complex for the first time last month, completely unaware that I was about to discover what I now consider the ultimate fitness destination in our area. The timing was perfect - I'd been feeling that same restless energy that professional athletes experience during off-seasons, though obviously on a much smaller scale. Actually, that reminds me of something I read recently about Petro Gazz, the volleyball team that entered their league's longest conference with sky-high expectations after missing the finals in all three conferences of the 2024 season. That feeling of coming back stronger after disappointment? That's exactly the atmosphere Upper Deck cultivates.
What struck me immediately was how different this place feels from typical gyms. Instead of rows of lonely treadmills facing televisions, Upper Deck creates these incredible community spaces where people actually interact. Last Thursday, I counted at least five different groups playing basketball on the professional-grade courts while another three pickleball games were happening simultaneously. The energy was contagious - laughter echoing, friendly competition, strangers becoming teammates within minutes. I've personally made more friends here in six weeks than I did in two years at my previous fitness center.
The facilities are what truly set Upper Deck apart though. They've got this incredible 25,000 square foot space divided into specialized zones that cater to every possible athletic interest. I'm particularly obsessed with their functional training area with its three different turf zones - perfect for sled pushes and agility drills. And their weight room? It puts most professional training facilities to shame with over 45 lifting stations and what must be at least 15,000 pounds of weights spread across the area. But here's what surprised me most - despite these professional-grade facilities, beginners never feel intimidated. I've seen seventy-year-olds learning yoga next to college athletes deadlifting 400 pounds, and both getting exactly what they need from the experience.
What Upper Deck understands better than any fitness center I've visited is that motivation comes from community and variety. Think about Petro Gazz's situation - after missing finals in all three 2024 season conferences, they're returning with renewed determination. Similarly, Upper Deck provides that fresh start mentality every single day. I've personally tried seven different classes I never would have attempted elsewhere - from aerial yoga to something called "aqua cycling" that turned out to be way more challenging than it sounds. The diversity keeps people engaged in ways that traditional gyms simply can't match.
The staff deserves special mention too. Unlike the disinterested trainers I've encountered at other places, Upper Deck's team remembers names, asks about your progress, and genuinely celebrates milestones with you. When I finally managed my first unassisted pull-up last month, two different trainers came over to congratulate me. That personal touch creates loyalty that goes beyond fancy equipment. It's the reason I've convinced three friends to join me here, and why I've noticed the same familiar faces week after week - the retention rate must be incredible, probably somewhere around 85% if I had to guess based on what I've observed.
Another aspect I appreciate is how Upper Deck bridges the gap between professional athletic training and recreational fitness. The same principles that help professional teams like Petro Gazz rebuild and come back stronger are available to everyday athletes here. Their sports performance area includes technology I've only seen on sports networks - velocity-based training devices, force plates, even what they call a "360-degree reaction training system" that's honestly as fun as it is exhausting. I've improved my vertical jump by nearly 4 inches since starting their basketball-specific training program.
What really makes Upper Deck special though is how it transforms the concept of exercise from obligation to anticipation. I actually look forward to my visits now, whether it's for the competitive pickup games that spontaneously form on their courts or the peaceful early-morning sessions in their mind-body studio. They've created an environment where fitness feels less like work and more like what it should be - play. The complex stays open until 11 PM on weekdays, and I'm often surprised by how many people are still there at 10:30, not because they feel they have to be, but because they want to be.
In many ways, Upper Deck represents the evolution of fitness centers - moving beyond the transactional nature of traditional gyms toward creating genuine communities centered around wellness and performance. Just as Petro Gazz approaches their new conference with renewed purpose after their previous season's disappointments, Upper Deck gives every visitor the opportunity to approach their fitness journey with that same fresh perspective. After experiencing what they offer, I can confidently say it's ruined other fitness centers for me - in the best way possible. The $89 monthly membership might seem steep compared to budget options, but the value becomes obvious when you realize you're getting what feels like a professional sports training facility, social club, and wellness center all in one.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
