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Name: The Club at Ricochet

Type of business: Health and racquet club

Address: 219 St. Nicholas Ave., South Plainfield

Telephone: (908) 753-2300

Web site: www.Ricochet-healthclub.com

Founded: 1978

Top officers: Ray and Jeff Zirpolo and Rudy Willemsen, owners

How would you describe your business?

"We are an outstanding health club facility with state-of-the-art machines in our fitness center, spinning studio, free weight center, and cardiovascular centers. We have an Olympic-size indoor pool and this year have been named No. 1 in the nation for our pool program by the United States Water Fitness Association. We have two squash courts, four studios for Pilates and yoga, a gymnasium, and a rock-climbing wall. We have a 10-week children's camp and a nursery available throughout the year. Members of our staff are licensed in CPR, first aid, and in using a defibrillator. Massage therapists Sonia Pretlow and Adam Katz offer therapeutic and Swedish massages. Physical therapist Sujal Desai oversees the therapy room," said owner Rudy Williamsen.

"We offer over 300 classes a week of classes for adults, teens, and children including infants ('swimfants') including hip hop aerobics, dance step, Spinning, zumba, Pilates, yoga swimming basketball, tumbling, soccer skills, and racquetball.

Children's private parties are held on Saturday and Sundays from noon to 1:30 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pool parties are available from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Weekend bar/bat mitzvah parties can be as long as four hours starting at 5 p.m. and ending by midnight.

"Only for 'Project Graduation' is Ricochet open all night for the special drug- and drink-free party the district holds after the high school graduation ceremony.

What makes your business special?

"Compared to other clubs that have only 10 or 15 staff members, we have concierge service for our members. When someone joins our facility, one of our 100 staff members is assigned to monitor the new member's account managing the schedule and the classes. If a member wants a special class, we will make it happen. Even the machines are special -- they are programmed with your club number and will record your exercise progress and guide you to the next step of your program."

What goals do you have for the business?

"Our goal is to be the best health club in the nation."

How has your business changed?

"When Ricochet was founded in 1978, it was primarily a racquetball facility and had 24 racquetball courts. And now only nine racquetball courts are left. We have converted the other racquetball courts into studios for aerobic exercise, yoga, and Pilates. I took the courts out to make a change and have added a basketball gym and an indoor rock-climbing wall. In 1995, I added an indoor Olympic sized pool with a water slide."

What was your most important deal?

"Putting in the Olympic sized pool in 1985. Not many health clubs offered it then. Now we have over 1,200 people swim in the pool weekly.

"Enlarging the children's program was important, too. We started the children's summer camp in 1989 and this summer there are 140-150 children in camp each week. It keeps the kids active and away from sitting in front of the TV and doing Internet games. We teach them swimming, racquetball, soccer, and arts and crafts, and they go on trips."

What changes do you expect in your business in the next 10 years?

"Our membership has increased and, with it, the need for parking. So our next project is to put in additional parking space. We recently received [Zoning] Board of Adjustment approval to replace our outside running tract and put in an additional 65 parking spaces.

"In the future I would like to expand our school space and create a day school geared for kids who are serious about athletics who are interested in training in sports like gymnastics or swimming. I'd like Ricochet to be known for producing a superstar like Olympian Michael Phelps."

What is the most important thing you've learned in your business?

"People skills. After college, I was a gym teacher and started working here part-time in 1988. But after a few months, I decided to work only for the club. I learned a lot, and in 2000 became the owner of the Ricochet share of The Club in Woodbridge."

What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?

"Be ready to work 24/7. It's not just physical, your brain has to keep working all the time. You also have to learn new things, make improvements, and use new ideas others might have."

Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

"No. Right now, I don't even see this work but just a hobby. I enjoy being here."