Big Vanilla Athletic Club is the premier fitness facility in Anne Arundel County, offering you a wide variety of fitness, wellness and recreation opportunities. At Big Vanilla, we are truly committed to offering our community an affordable, fun and friendly environment that is managed with uncompromising integrity, reliability and professionalism.

Big Vanilla Athletic Club (Arnold) is an 80,000 square foot enclosed area located on almost 7.2 acres of land located next to Anne Arundel Community College. Spectacular building and equipment, excellent programs, experienced staff and great people make this the club the one you want to belong to.

The President and owner of Big Vanilla is Larry Ray, a long-term Anne Arundel County resident. In the late 1970s, Larry enrolled at Anne Arundel Community College with the goal of owning and operating a fitness club. He wanted to learn the business with hands-on experience and he took a job at the Big Vanilla Athletic Club, which back then was predominantly a tennis facility. While at the college he wrote a paper about how the whole family could come to a single place for all their fitness, wellness and recreation needs. That paper won an award and was the start of his vision.

After graduating Larry went on to own and co-own three clubs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, before buying the fitness portion of the Big Vanilla in 1993. In 1998 he purchased the real estate and tennis portion of the club, bringing the vision and management of all facets of the club under one person. Under his leadership the club has expanded wellness, senior wellness, personal training, sports training, martial arts, children’s programming and aquatics.

Larry’s strong management skills and dedication to his community have helped to make Big Vanilla Athletic Club the best fitness and wellness club with a sense of community. Larry credits the staff for much of the club's success. The employees take pride in their work and the club and they know they are a key to giving the members the best possible experience.