Monarch Athletic Club

02/18/2026

When most people watch a race, they see the runner cross the finish line. They notice the pace, the time, the result.

What they don’t see is everything that made that moment possible. The training decisions, the data, the routine. Knowing when to push harder, when to recover, and how the body is responding along the way.

For awhile, this level of insight was reserved for elite athletes. Today, it doesn’t have to be.

We’ve introduced advanced metabolic and performance testing across our clubs, led by Coach Gareth Thomas, who brings more than 30 years of experience coaching endurance athletes, from everyday runners to World and National Champions across triathlon, Ironman, cycling, and running. Now, he’s bringing that same expertise to our members.

What does that mean for our members?

Blood lactate testing- to establish precise training zones based on how your body performs under increasing intensity.

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) testing- to reveal how efficiently your body uses fuel, helping inform nutrition, metabolism, and body composition goals.

VO₂ max and FATmax testing- to measure aerobic capacity and identify where your body burns fat most efficiently, guiding smarter conditioning.

Together, these assessments provide clear, actionable insight into how your body responds to training, so you can approach your health with the same precision as an athlete.

Gareth’s February availability is now open. If you’ve been thinking about understanding your body on a deeper level, this is a great place to begin. Connect with our membership team to learn more about advanced testing with Gareth.

02/11/2026

There are gyms and trainers everywhere, so getting care isn’t the issue. But getting care where you’re actually seen is very different. Too often, people become just another time slot instead of the full history they carry with them.

That’s exactly why Monarch was created.

From the moment our members walk through the doors, we’re focused on how their body moves, what they’ve been through, and where they’re trying to go. It’s not just training, or medical, or nutrition in isolation. It’s everything working together, with real people who know you and check in along the way.

Health was never meant to be managed alone, and it shouldn’t feel that way.

02/04/2026

A lot of people think progress in the gym comes from pushing harder. In our experience, the bigger challenge is mental load. By the time someone walks through our doors, they've already made countless decisions that day. Movement shouldn't be another one.

Recently we switched things up and guided Monarch Playa Vista member Andrew Leonard through a movement session with Dr. Ryan M. Greene. Andrew works at Google and lives a busy life, like many of our members. What he values most is knowing he can turn his brain off when he comes in. He's guided through the entire experience so he can focus solely on movement.

Andrew continues to increase weight steadily while remaining pain-free, despite previously managing Achilles tendinitis and shoulder pain, issues that made him realize managing everything on his own was no longer working.

What changed wasn't effort. It was support. With his training, physical therapy, and medical oversight all under one roof, Andrew doesn't have to piece things together himself. He just shows up and moves.

01/28/2026

The highest level of care is often associated with professional athletes, but it should not be exclusive. Having a full team in your corner, people who understand your body and support you at every level, should be the standard. At Monarch, that is how we approach health and training.

What sets athletes apart is not effort alone, it is access. Access to medical care, strength training, physical therapy, and nutrition that all work together instead of separately. That level of coordination allows athletes to train with confidence, recover properly, and stay consistent over time. It is also exactly how Monarch was built.

Many of our team members come from athletic backgrounds and bring that perspective into their work every day. Our Director of Physical Therapy at Playa Vista, Hannah, is a former professional volleyball player who experienced firsthand what thoughtful, well-coordinated care looks like. That experience shapes how she shows up for our members now.

When care is connected and intentional, people move better, feel better, and make better decisions about their health.

You do not need to be a professional athlete to be cared for like one. You just need the right team around you.

01/21/2026

Peptides are becoming more common, and with that growth comes the need to be more thoughtful about how they’re used. When managed correctly, they can offer real benefits for recovery, metabolism, and overall health. When they’re not, things can get complicated over time.

Dr. Greene has been seeing more people using peptides without proper guidance, without meaningful labs, and without a full understanding of whether they’re even a good candidate. These are powerful tools, not shortcuts, and they work best when they’re part of a bigger, well-managed plan.

Want to learn more about peptides, email medical@monarchclubs.com or call us at (310) 730-8180.

Hear from Dr. Greene on how peptide therapy works, who it is for, and why proper medical guidance is essential when using these tools.

12/18/2025

When we opened our doors 5 years ago, we knew one thing: taking care of your health should never be done alone. It should happen in a place that inspires you to be the best version of yourself, supported by a team that celebrates your wins, both big and small.

This past year at Monarch reminded us exactly why our space matters. Every day, we watch people walk in with different goals and different stories, yet all sharing the same intention: to be better than they were yesterday. That intention is the heartbeat of Monarch.

We also had the joy of expanding our reach with the opening of our new Playa Vista club, welcoming new faces, new energy, and new purpose into our doors. No matter the location, each club carries the same mission: to support you, guide you, and walk with you on your journey.

Looking ahead, Dr. Greene is already exploring new ways to deepen our connection with the communities we serve. For him, your health was never meant to be handled alone and at the center of everything we do is our community.

And so, to our members and to our team, we want to say thank you. You are the reason Monarch exists. Your dedication, your trust, and your willingness to show up every day have allowed us to build something truly special. Our members continue to put in the work to create better lives for themselves, and our team continues to show up with genuine care for every person who walks through our doors. That commitment is what makes Monarch extraordinary.

One of the most impactful things about Monarch is that the moment you walk in, you feel welcome. You feel supported. You feel seen. And that space, that atmosphere, is built entirely by its people. Today, we pause to acknowledge the minds, the perseverance, the heart, and the attitudes of those who make Monarch what it is.

To our community, thank you for shaping this space. Thank you for growing with us. And thank you for allowing us to redefine together what it truly means to take care of your health.

Happy New Year. We are just getting started.

12/15/2025

We caught up with our in-house nutritionist, Shannon, to talk about the importance of proper fueling for training. Whether you’re grabbing a quick snack or sitting down for a full meal before or after a workout, the right foods and nutrients can make a real difference in performance and recovery.

Shannon recommends protein shakes as a convenient way to add extra protein on the go. When it comes to post-workout meals, she emphasizes that balance is key. Some of her go-to options include grilled salmon, Chomps sticks, canned tuna, and grilled steak. Simple, protein-rich choices that help support muscle repair and recovery.

12/11/2025

We just opened our Playa Vista club, and the energy is already incredible. This community is special, and seeing it come to life in our new space has been inspiring.

You will find everything you know from our other Monarch locations, including the member lounge, medical and treatment rooms, strength floor, and recovery spaces. What feels different here is the natural light and openness. Training in a bright space makes reaching goals feel even better.

In the locker rooms, you will see the same recovery setup you expect, including the sauna and all your go-to tools. New to this location is our Frost Locker, a cold therapy chamber that supports recovery, reduces inflammation, and boosts performance. Everything connects, so the entire experience flows in one place.

Playa Vista is officially open and ready for you. It is a place to set goals, build momentum, and become your strongest self. Our team of medical providers, physical therapists, nutritionists, and coaches is here to support you.

12/08/2025

When you have a team that is dialed in on their health, everything else starts to fall into place. Productivity goes up, stress starts to settle, and people simply feel better. We all know how easy it is for health to slip when there are meetings, deadlines, and projects pulling you in every direction. We are here to remind you not to let that happen, because your team deserves to feel supported.

That is where Corporate Wellness at Monarch comes in. We focus on the whole person and bring every part of their care into one place. We know how overwhelming it can feel to juggle appointments around a full schedule. Our goal is to make it simple.

Your team will have access to medical care, mental health support, strength training, physical therapy, and recovery. It is an entire wellness ecosystem at their fingertips.

That means fewer sick days, fewer missed days, and far less burnout. Here, we help your team become the best version of themselves. Do not let your team’s health slip through the cracks. Take care of the people who keep everything moving. Learn more about Corporate Wellness at Monarch on our website.

11/25/2025

Every member who walks into our club comes with a different goal in mind. For some it’s about building better habits, creating a routine, or growing in strength. When we first opened our doors in 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, our vision was to bring care that felt simple and accessible for everyone who walked in. Our ecosystem was designed to connect all the dots from strength, medicine, nutrition, physical therapy, and mind, so you have the foundation to achieve your best, whatever that may look like for you.

Investing in your health is essential to building that foundation. And when you invest in us, you’re really investing in yourself. Our team, guided by a holistic and personalized approach, is here to take you where you want to go and help you build something that lasts.

Here, you’ll learn more about your body and how it responds, with care that adapts to you in real time. Because health is freedom.

And were here to help more humans, be human.

11/20/2025

Heidi D'Amelio joined Monarch when it first opened in 2020. She originally came in looking for a place to train since strength training had already been a big part of her life for years.

But what she found here was more than just a gym; she found a community.

While strength training itself wasn’t new to her, having a full team supporting her every day was. Instead of juggling multiple doctors and appointments across town, she can meet with Dr. Greene, work with our nutrition team, and get help from physical therapy whenever she needs it.

Now in her 50s, Heidi says she feels better than ever. Stronger, more confident, and more in tune with her body. For her, it’s simple: she just shows up, and the rest falls into place.

11/13/2025

Our health is deeply personal. It’s your journey, your story. But that doesn’t mean you have to walk it alone. The real magic happens when you have people in your corner, when you know you’re supported.

Now imagine having an entire team backing you. How would you show up for yourself then?

For us, community means more than just being together. It’s about motivation, that extra push, understanding your rhythm, and celebrating every win (big or small.) Our team and community is here to recognize it all. It’s the foundation our ecosystem is built on, and it’s what brings our spaces to life with purpose and meaning.

Every member comes with their own goals and their own reasons for showing up. We want to be part of that story, so no one ever has to face their health journey alone.