Why these 4 Birmingham residents love perfecting their game at Lakeshore Foundation

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While elite athletes rely on the Lakeshore Foundation as a United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Site, it’s far more than that for thousands of area residents.

Just ask power soccer player Creed, fitness class fan Joy, longtime member David, or swim team member Samantha.

Read on to learn more about what these four members say they enjoy most and other fun facts about Lakeshore.

Daily workouts + fitness classes

On any given day, people of all ages and abilities train and take classes throughout the state-of-the-art facilities, which include:

• An indoor Aquatics Center with two heated pools
• A 6,000-square-foot Fitness Center with adapted equipment
• A Fieldhouse with three gym courts and a MONDO® surface 200-meter track
• An archery and marksmanship range
• The Regions Climbing Wall

“I have chronic arthritis, primarily in my knees and my lower back, and [Lakeshore] makes all the difference in the world in me being able to stay active and not hurt so bad. I go to Total Body and Zumba classes, and both of them really make a huge difference in my life and keep me going at 80.”
_{Joy, Lakeshore member for 5 years}

Recreational sports + activities

Besides amenities and programs you’d expect at any membership-based gym, Lakeshore Foundation offers many activities that are as recreational as they are fitness-focused.

• Adults can do air rifle shooting and archery, boccia, pickleball + more
• Youth enjoy summer camps, family fun nights, holiday parties + other programs

“I love Lakeshore because it’s a really nice facility, and I get to make best friends, and I enjoy doing swimming.”
_{Samantha, 18, member of Lakeshore’s youth swim team}

Competitive sports + tournaments

Youth and adults with physical disabilities can train for competitive sports in the same world-class facilities that support international-level athletes. Lakeshore Foundation is home to USA Wheelchair Rugby, Boccia United States and U.S. Paralympics Powerlifting teams.

Youth competitive sports include:

• Lakeshore Typhoons Swim Team
• Lakeshore Force Power Soccer
• Lakeshore Sharks Prep Wheelchair Basketball
• Lakeshore Lakers 10′ Varsity Wheelchair Basketball
• Summer regional national meets for archery, track + field

“My favorite thing about Lakeshore is that it gives kids that are not able to play team sports anywhere else an opportunity to play and be competitive.”
_{Creed, age 12, member of Lakeshore’s youth power soccer team}

Adult competitive sports include:

• Lakeshore Power Power Soccer
• Lakeshore Storm (co-ed) + Lightning (women’s) Wheelchair Basketball
• Birmingham Hammers Wheelchair Football
• Lakeshore Demolition Wheelchair Rugby
• Wheelchair Tennis
• Many individual adapted sports, from golf to powerlifting

In addition to training athletes for competition, Lakeshore Foundation hosts several tournaments each year. So far, it has hosted top National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) teams for the 36th Pioneer Classic and about a dozen U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Association teams for the Demolition Derby.

Next up? The NWBA SEC Junior Division Championship is set for March 1-2 and will include the Lakeshore Sharks and Lakers.

Science-based performance support

Lakeshore recently opened its Sports Science and Performance Center (SSPC), offering cutting-edge, science-driven sports performance assessment and advanced sports science research.

SPCC Services include:

• Specialized data gathering and analysis
• Targeted, one-on-one strength + conditioning training
• Expert resources for sports nutrition and mental performance

Membership + costs

• Any adult or child with a physical disability or chronic condition can become a member of Lakeshore Foundation, with fees ranging from $55-$65 per month.
• Family members within the immediate household may also enroll, with fees ranging from $20-$25 per month.
• Any honorably discharged local veteran regardless of having a disability can enroll free of charge.
• These veterans’ immediate household family members may also enroll.

“The impact Lakeshore has is the positivity I see in the people that come here and the people that work here. You can meet all types of kind, wonderful people.”
_{David, Lakeshore member for 10 years}

Learn more about Lakeshore Foundation and how it serves people throughout the community.

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