Big Vanilla Athletic Club

Big Vanilla Athletic Club opened originally in 1977 on a 6-acre parcel in Arnold, MD. It began as a tennis and racquetball club and a few months later, due to community requests, a fitness center was added. The current owner of Big Vanilla, Larry Ray, began his career there as a fitness instructor in 1978 while attending Anne Arundel Community College. Since its inception, Big Vanilla has transformed into a multi- purpose, family-focused, sports, wellness and recreational complex.

The Big Vanilla Arnold location offers 80,000 square feet of state-of-the-art fitness facilities, year round swimming, basketball, tennis, racquetball, rock climbing and numerous kids’ programs. The new Pasadena location, which opened in 2007, is 90,000 square feet and offers many of the same amenities including, an amazing water park featuring a waterslide, kiddy pool and 12 lap lanes.

Big Vanilla, also known as Big V, is now ranked in the top 20 for successful health clubs nationwide and has received The Capital’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Fitness/Health Club four years in a row. Larry attributes the success of Big Vanilla to a very dedicated staff and an incredibly loyal community that understands the value of a health-centered lifestyle. Big V is also a longstanding sponsor of many community, education, and civic non-profit organizations.

Big Vanilla will continue to evolve and be dedicated to providing a modern, safe and clean fitness and community center for our members and employees.

Thank you for visiting our website; we hope to see you soon!