Building A Fitness Community

Written By Steve Bornhoft

Amy Robison is no stranger to high-end clubs. Over the 15 years in which she has worked in the fitness and wellness industry, she has led classes and helped people achieve goals in Key Largo, at the Ocean Reef Club and at the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa in Denver, she was employed as director of resort programming and events. But, as of April 2021, Robison traded craggy peaks for soft sands. She is now the director of wellness and outdoor pursuits for Watersound Club. In that role, she will develop and oversee the Club’s fitness programming and other activities at the collection of recreational amenities in development adjacent to Camp Creek® Golf Course.

Robison lists those amenities with the facility of a real estate agent running through the features of an elegant home. As she does so, the energy in her voice rises, equaling the exuberance of someone doing high knees across an exercise floor. “We’ll have a 12,000-square-foot, two-story wellness center!” she begins. “A 19-meter adult lap pool, an outdoor fitness lawn, a resort-style family pool with a lazy river and water slide, a basketball court, eight tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, a game room and a playground!” Robison became aware of Watersound Club after a woman with whom she had worked in Key Largo went to work for the company. “I followed her progress and when I saw the wellness position open here, I got the conversation started,” Robison said.

Robison grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, and attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management. She is a certified personal trainer, a certified group exercise instructor and a 300-hour registered yoga teacher. She is currently pursuing a certification in “life breath,” which involves deep-breathing techniques designed to relieve stress and tension. “I was extremely excited for the opportunity to join the Club,” Robison enthused. “I am coming into an area that doesn’t have a lot of large wellness facilities. The facilities and programs that we are working to bring to Watersound Club are going to be phenomenal.” Robison says it is her mission is to create “something for everyone.” “The facilities are not just for fitness buffs who are naturally going to want to come,” she said. “I want to develop programs that encompass the mind/body experience and relate to everybody.” Plans call for the first floor of the wellness center to be devoted to two group exercise studios. One geared toward spinning and the other used as a mindful movement studio where yoga, mat, pilates, barre and dance classes can be held.

“Upstairs, we’ll have a functional fitness training room that will be used by personal trainers and for group exercise classes — boot camp, HIIT (high intensity interval training) classes, TRX classes,” Robison explained. “We’ll have cardio and strength machines and free weights. The full-service locker rooms each will have steam rooms, saunas and Vichy showers.” Robison anticipates that initially the wellness center will host about 25 classes per week. Plus, she plans to bring in specialists who will address topics including nutrition and meditation.