Worcester Business Journal

22 Worcester Business Journal | January 12, 2026 | wbjournal.com Worcester Fitness' staff goes above and beyond BEST HOTEL FOR BUSINESS CLIENTS Winner: Beechwood Hotel*, in Worcester Beechwood Hotel is the only AAA Four-Diamond hotel in Central Massachusetts. Just minutes from downtown Worcester and adjacent to the Massachusetts Biotechnology Re- search Park, the hotel places guests at the heart of it all, combining luxury, convenience, and a great experience. The hotel prides itself on being every- thing guests deserve, with accommo- dations where comfort is always the top priority. Website: www.beechwoodhotel.com Top executive: Sayed Saleh, asset manager & managing director Founded: 1989 Employees: 80 Notable runner-up: AC Hotel Worcester BEST HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDER Winner: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts*, in Boston Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massa- chusetts is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. The company's mission is to show up for everyone, guiding them to health care they deserve affordably, equitably, and seamlessly. In keeping with that commitment, the company is consis- tently rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Website: www.bluecrossma.org B E S T O F B U S I N E S S E M P L O Y E E S E R V I C E S BY LIVIA GERSHON Special to WBJ A s general manager of Worces- ter Fitness, Kat Pittinger spends most of her week keeping the gym running and supervising the rest of the staff. But, the highlight of her week comes on ursday mornings, when she teaches swim lessons for kids from 6 months to five years old. Wearing many hats is the norm at the 47-year-old family-owned Worcester in- stitution. Full-time staff may be person- al trainers who also conduct advanced stretching classes, helping members improve their range of motion and stay physically healthy. e part-timers who make up most of the gym's staff are stu- dents or employees elsewhere, helping to knit the organization into the fabric of local life. "I really pride my staff on going above and beyond," Pittinger said. "ey know their members." Worcester Fitness started out in 1978 as Worcester Racquetball Club. Lincoln MacDonald and Dennis Doyle bought it in 1983, and today it's owned by Mac- Donald and his kids, Andrea Shliapa and Timothy MacDonald. Over time, as fitness trends changed, the club shed its racquetball courts, replacing them with other facilities. "We took down one court at a time," Pittinger said. "People wanted cardio, and then they wanted strength training. en they wanted classes." Today, Worcester Fitness offers all those options, plus massage therapy, personal training, and a robust swim- ming program with classes for all ages and a swim team. e club benefits from staff who are eager to learn new skills to offer members the programs they want, said Pittinger. Her door is always open to staff who are interested in trying something new. e club's owners operate the gym at the City of Worcester's senior center in partnership with the city govern- ment. ey support local organizations such as the Worcester Animal Rescue League, and each year they sponsor the city public schools' Mini Olympics event, providing color-coded shirts for each school. ey now own a sister club, Plym- outh Fitness. One thing that hasn't changed over the years is aer wrapping up an exer- cise session, members can enjoy a drink at the bar. Bars were once a common feature of racquetball clubs, and while most shed them over the years, Worces- ter Fitness's in-house bar, MacDonald's Tavern, is still going strong. e club uses the space for functions such as a holiday toy drive for Worcester's Plant- ing the Seed Foundation. e bar contributes to the communi- ty feeling of the club, where staff know their members, celebrating their life milestones and victories and supporting them in difficult times. "It's kind of a Cheers bar, but it's also a Cheers gym," Pittinger said. Worcester Fitness team Worcester Fitness Controller and Co-owner Andrea Shliapa (left) and General Manager Kat Pittinger PHOTOS | KILL THE BALL MEDIA, COURTESY OF WORCESTER FITNESS BEST EXERCISE FACILITY/FITNESS CENTER Winner: Worcester Fitness*, in Worcester Website: worcesterfitness.com Top executive: Kat Pittinger, general manager Founded: 1978 Employees: 60 Notable runners-up: Center Mass Training Compound in Worcester, Worcester JCC W W

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