(ARA) – You’d think Miriam Swanson gets enough basketball playing varsity at her high school in Chaska, Minn., but when she’s not working out with her team she heads to the courts at her local health club.
“The surface there is easier on my knees and I like that they keep the rims and backboards clean,” Swanson says, who plays forward and enjoys hitting the courts to shoot with friends, get in on pickup games or practice drills on her own.
“Having access to the fitness equipment is a huge plus,” she adds. “I can bring bands and medicine balls to the court for specific drills and strength work. It’s great.”
Whether you’re interested in shooting a round of hoops with your family, finding a regular pickup game or playing in a league that feels like you’re living the professional basketball dream, Life Time’s Ultimate Hoops business is your destination.
Ultimate Hoops caters to players like Swanson looking to perfect their game, as well as weekend warriors seeking to execute the plays from years past. There are always pickup games happening on Life Time’s state-of-the-art basketball courts. Members can leave it all on the court when they have access to Life Time’s resort-like amenities, whether that’s cooling off in the pool, a healthy post-game meal at LifeCafe, or massage at LifeSpa.
Interested in league play? Ultimate Hoops also delivers a premiere, pro-like league experience. The competitive recreational basketball league currently hosts more than 4,000 players on 430 teams at 54 Life Time destinations.
For Junius Ho, a self-described “hoops junkie,” the lure of playing Ultimate Hoops factored into his decision to move across country.
“I’d heard about Ultimate Hoops from a good friend before I moved out to Minnesota,” Ho says. “This was a few years ago and even back then the website was first-rate and I was extremely envious of the basketball opportunity.” At the time he played in various adult leagues in the Bay Area, as well as tournaments throughout the country, after playing in high school and intramural basketball in college.
“Being able to play Ultimate Hoops was one of the main things that attracted me to leave California for Minneapolis,” says Ho, who plays on two Ultimate Hoops teams. “Basketball is my main source of exercise and was a huge part of helping me get through my first Minnesota winter.”
According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturer Association, more than 35 million Americans play basketball, but only a small fraction of those play in the pros and college. The rest just love the game. For those who love the game enough to want a professional experience, there’s Ultimate Hoops.
Markus Williams, who played high school basketball until he graduated last year is glad he can keep his game going at the Warrenville, Ill., Life Time. “Ultimate Hoops is the reason I got a Life Time membership,” he says. “I came as a guest a few times and watched some of the games and saw how competitive they were. I knew I had to get in this.”
Each eight-week season consists of one game per week, culminating in a championship game for each region. Weekend tournaments and three-on-three events are also part of the experience Ultimate Hoops provides Life Time members. In 2012, Life Time also will bring the regional champions together for one national championship.
But Ultimate Hoops is about a lot more than competition. “Games on the court are a small part of what it is,” says Alan Arlt, Ultimate Hoops founder and Life Time senior director of basketball operation. “Off the court there’s a 24/7 basketball experience online.” At www.uhlife.com, players can keep track of their season and career stats, find articles that promote the games and players nationwide, see photos and videos and even talk smack with their competitors.
“I like comparing stats and checking out the upcoming schedule,” Williams says about the Ultimate Hoops website. “I’m always checking out the headlines and being able to comment on articles and player profiles is fun. It definitely helps the experience.”
That experience often extends beyond the court and website. “As players get more immersed in the league both on the court and online they start forming friendships through our Ultimate Hoops community,” says Arlt. “It’s great to see players and fans who have never met before connecting through an Ultimate Hoops kinship.”
That’s true for Ho who socializes with players online and off the court, too. “I was on a free agent team my first season and I actually ended up connecting well with a lot of my opponents,” he says. “I even convinced a few of my friends to join Life Time specifically for Ultimate Hoops.”
Ho believes the name “Ultimate Hoops,” aptly describes the experience. “Not only have they combined all the best aspects of the leagues I’ve played in, they’ve cultivated a thriving community of active players and entertaining personalities that provides a far-reaching and engaging experience,” he says. “Local success and banter can often lead to regional national rivalries and debates, which is unique to Ultimate Hoops and really delivers a pro-type experience from both a player and fan perspective.”
While Ultimate Hoops caters to the “Average Joe,” the experience is so good, even former professional players like Michael Finley and Penny Hardaway enjoy the league, too. Lindsey Hunter, a successful NBA star who played on a team at the Old Orchard Life Time in Skokie, Ill. in 2010, said in an Ultimate Hoops interview during the playoffs, “I’ve got two NBA championships, I might as well get an Ultimate Hoops Championship to go with them.”
Ultimate Hoops has grown significantly this year, and with the addition of several pilot leagues, including Ultimate Hoops Preps, for ages 13 to 17, and Ultimate Hoops Juniors, for ages 3 to 12, it’s sure to grow more. “In partnership with Life Time Kids, we’re also working on a comprehensive, progression based program for Ultimate Hoops Juniors,” Arlt says. “The potential for the youth programs is immense.”
Ultimate Hoops is also starting up women’s leagues. The first all-female league began in Detroit this spring. Players preferred the championship prize of Life Spa pedicures over medals. Women’s leagues will organize soon in Minneapolis and Chicago.
Although the lack of a female team didn’t stop Shannon Duggan from signing up for Ultimate Hoops. This 5-foot 4-inch point guard plays on a male team at the Old Orchard Life Time in Skokie, Ill. “They underestimate you until you start shooting threes,” she says of the guys she plays against. Duggan, who played high school basketball and a year in college tried out for the WNBA this spring. Although she didn’t make a team she says Ultimate Hoops is filling the void.
“It’s good competition,” says Duggan, who also plays pickup games and admits she likes being the only woman on the court. She said she’ll try out for the WNBA again when they are looking for point guards, otherwise she has no qualms playing with the guys. And when the time comes for a woman’s league in the Chicago area she said she’ll play in both.
While players like Ho and Duggan think of basketball as their go-to activity, they take advantage of the cross-training opportunities at Life Time. “I’ve used the weight room and participated in Vinyasa yoga classes,” Ho says. “I also recently picked up a racquetball racquet with my LT Bucks so I look forward to starting that up.” Duggan credits Life Time’s Team Boot Camp for getting her in shape for the WNBA tryouts.
“It’s my all-time favorite,” she says. With the exception of basketball, of course. But for Duggan, Ultimate Hoops isn’t exercise, it’s her passion.
