Auburn is known for its trails. People flock here for the endurance runs and the mountain biking, but there is this specific hub tucked away on Rakela Drive that has basically anchored the local community since the late 70s. I’m talking about the Auburn Racquet & Fitness Club. If you’ve lived in Placer County for more than a week, you've definitely seen the sign, but what actually happens behind those doors is a lot more than just people hitting yellow balls over a net.
It’s a massive facility. Seriously. We are talking about five acres of land dedicated to everything from high-intensity interval training to those lazy Sunday afternoons by the pool. Most people think "racquet club" and assume it’s an elitist enclave where you have to wear all white. Honestly? It’s the opposite. It’s gritty in the weight room and social at the café. It’s where the local "Endurance Capital of the World" athletes go to cross-train so they don't blow out their knees on the Western States Trail.
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What’s Actually Inside Auburn Racquet & Fitness Club?
Space is the biggest luxury here. While big-box gyms in Roseville or Rocklin feel like sardines in a tin, this place breathes. You have over 45,000 square feet of indoor space. That is a lot of room to sweat.
The tennis scene is the historical backbone. With 15 outdoor courts—most of them lighted—you can actually find a game at 8:00 PM without fighting for space. They have a stadium court that feels surprisingly professional for a local club. But let's be real: tennis isn't the only game in town anymore. Pickleball has absolutely exploded here. It’s actually kind of wild to see how many people have traded their heavy racquets for paddles. The club has leaned into this hard, offering clinics and social mixers because, let’s face it, pickleball is 50% sport and 50% neighborhood gossip.
Then there's the water. Two pools. One is a competitive 25-meter lap pool that stays heated all year. If you’ve ever tried to swim laps in a public pool in January, you know why "heated" is the most important word in that sentence. The other is a recreation pool, which is basically the summer heartbeat of Auburn.
The Fitness Floor and Beyond
The weight room isn't just a corner with three dumbbells. They have a full range of Precor and Life Fitness equipment. But what’s more interesting is the Functional Training Center. This is where you see the real athletes—people doing tire flips, rope slams, and kettlebell work. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it works.
If you aren't into solo lifting, the group X schedule is pretty dense.
- Yoga (both the "I just want to stretch" and the "this is a workout" varieties)
- Pilates (they have a dedicated reformer studio, which is rare for a general club)
- Spin classes in a dark room with loud music
- Aqua aerobics for the "silver sneakers" crowd who can probably out-plank you
One thing that often gets overlooked is the childcare. For parents in Auburn, the "Kids' Club" is a lifesaver. You can drop the kids off, hit the sauna, and actually feel like a human being for an hour. It’s those small logistical details that make a club worth the monthly membership versus just a $20-a-month keycard gym.
The Social Fabric of Auburn California
You can't talk about the Auburn Racquet & Fitness Club without mentioning the "Club Café." It sounds cheesy, but the social aspect is why people stay for twenty years. It’s the "Cheers" of the fitness world. You see the same faces every morning. After a grueling match or a swim, people actually sit down and eat. They have beer on tap, which tells you everything you need to know about the vibe. It’s relaxed. It’s Placer County.
There is a certain nuance to the membership here. It’s not just a place to burn calories; it’s a networking hub. You’ll find local business owners, retirees who have lived in the foothills since the 60s, and young families who just moved up from the Bay Area looking for a way to plug into the community.
Is it Worth the Price?
Let's talk money. This isn't a budget gym. If you just want a treadmill and a shower, you'll find cheaper options down the hill. You pay for the variety. You’re paying for the fact that you can play tennis, go for a swim, hit the steam room, and get a massage (yeah, they have an on-site spa) all in the same afternoon.
The club has seen various renovations over the decades. Is it brand new? No. It has character. Some parts feel very "classic California club," while the newer functional training areas feel modern. The staff, like Mike Moore (the General Manager who has been a staple there), keep the place running with a focus on "Member Experience" rather than just "Member Volume." That matters when you don't want to wait 20 minutes for a squat rack.
The Professional Edge
For those who take their sports seriously, the coaching staff is actually high-caliber. We aren't talking about teenagers who took a weekend certification. The tennis pros often have USPTA credentials and decades of competitive play. The personal trainers usually specialize in specific niches—like injury recovery or athletic performance for masters-level athletes.
If you’re training for an Ironman or a Spartan race, this is your laboratory. The combination of the lap pool and the heavy lifting area makes it a one-stop shop for multi-sport training. Plus, the proximity to the canyon means you can do your hill repeats on the trails and then come here for a recovery soak in the hot tub.
Moving Beyond the "Racquet" Label
The biggest misconception is that you have to be good at tennis to join. Most members probably haven't picked up a racquet in months. They are there for the HIIT classes or the Pilates reformers. They are there because the locker rooms have saunas and steam rooms that don't feel like an afterthought.
Auburn has a lot of fitness options, from CrossFit boxes to boutique yoga studios. But Auburn Racquet & Fitness Club is the only one that functions as a true "third place"—that spot between home and work where you actually want to hang out.
The club also hosts events. Think wine tastings, holiday parties, and tennis tournaments that draw people from all over Northern California. It’s a landmark. If you tell someone in Auburn "meet me at the club," they know exactly where you mean.
Actionable Steps for Potential Members
If you're considering checking it out, don't just look at the website. The digital photos never quite capture the energy of the place.
- Grab a Guest Pass: Most clubs this size offer a one-day trial or a low-cost week pass. Do this on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening when the energy is highest.
- Check the Group X Schedule First: If you’re a morning person, see if the classes you actually like are offered at 6:00 AM. There's no point in joining a club if the Pilates class you want is only at 2:00 PM on a workday.
- Walk the "Back Five": Go look at the tennis courts and the outdoor pool area during the "golden hour." It’s one of the best views in the city.
- Talk to the Pros: If you’re interested in tennis or pickleball, ask for a quick assessment. They can usually tell you which "flight" or social group you’d fit into so you aren't playing against people way above or below your level.
- Evaluate the Family Plan: If you have kids, the childcare and the swim team (the "Stingrays") are often the deciding factors. Compare the cost of a family membership to the cost of individual swim lessons and childcare elsewhere—usually, the club wins on math alone.
The Auburn Racquet & Fitness Club represents a specific kind of California lifestyle. It’s active, it’s social, and it’s deeply rooted in the local geography. Whether you’re trying to shave ten minutes off your trail run time or just trying to find a place where your kids can swim while you get some peace in the sauna, it remains a central pillar of the Auburn community.