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Fitness

Meet Alexa Thompson

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Alexa Thompson is a graduate of Western Washington University’s Kinesiology Department and is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Alexa is a former Varsity Crew member with WWU’s Women’s Varsity Crew team. In her final season, Alexa’s Varsity 4 boat finished third in the nation in NCAA Division II Nationals. She and her teammates also successfully defended their third consecutive title as of “Best in the West” for a Varsity 4. So if you have any questions about how to get the most out of our Concept II rowing machine workout Alexa would be happy to give you a lesson. As you can imagine Alexa has logged a significant amount of training miles during her tenure with WWU.

Alexa has also been an assistant select soccer coach for the FC Rangers program here in Whatcom County and former High School Soccer player. Besides training at BAC Alexa also teaches Physical Education in the Kinesiology Dept. at WWU. As her rowing career has ended Alexa now fills her athletic time with hiking, running, and weight training. She also tries to get home to Edmonds to see her dog Libby, a black lab/whippet mix, and also spend a little time with her parents.

Looking for gift ideas this Holiday Season?

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Looking for gift ideas this Holiday Season? Tell them how much you care by giving them the gift of Fitness this Christmas! Purchase a gift certificate for Personal Training, either for one session or a package of multiple sessions. Nothing lets them know how important their health and well-being is to you then by purchasing training sessions with one of our Personal Training Staff. Give the gift of Fitness this Christmas with a Personal Training gift certificate. Great Stocking Stuffer!!

Give the Gift of Fitness!

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Looking for gift ideas this Holiday Season? Tell them how much you care by giving them the gift of Fitness this Christmas! Purchase a gift certificate for Personal Training, either for one session or a package of multiple sessions. Nothing lets them know how important their health and well-being is to you then by purchasing training sessions with one of our Personal Training Staff. Give the gift of Fitness this Christmas with a Personal Training gift certificate. Great Stocking Stuffer!!

Equalizer Single Bar Chest Press

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For the single bar chest press, set one Equalizer Bar on its side on the floor. The round end should be at the bottom closest to you and the open end should be facing away. Grasp the sides of the Equalizer bar with your hands parallel to each other. To perform the Chest Press you may either begin on your knees in a modified push-up position or with your legs extended in a standard push-up position. Lower yourself down toward the floor maintaining alignment of your spine. Your chest will be about a fist width off the floor in the bottom position. Great cue is to lead with your “Belly Button”. Press your body back up to its starting position again while maintaining body alignment. Great cue is to lead with your “Mid-back”. Repeat the movement for prescribed amount of repetitions.

Welcome Susan Toy, Personal Trainer

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BAC would like to welcome a new member to our Personal Training Team, Suzanne Toy!  Suzanne is a native Southern Californian with a lifelong passion for fitness. For the past 12 years Suzanne has been personal training in the Pasadena and Orange County areas.  Prior to her personal training career Suzanne taught kindergarten for 10+ years. She enjoys educating people, giving direction and boosting confidence while getting results in the gym. Suzanne enjoys teaching boot camps, TRX, Kettlebells and spin classes. Outside of the gym Suzanne enjoys cooking, hiking, trail runs and water activities. She is excited to live in the Pacific Northwest with her boyfriend Curt.

Equalizer Dip

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Take two Equalizers and place them side by side. Stand in between the Equalizers then bend down and grasp the foam portion of each handle. Place both feet outside the Equalizers just on the other side of the front feet. Knees are bent and the arms should be straight. Lower your body down between the equalizers
by bending the elbows. Make sure not to lower yourself down any further than 90 degrees of your upper arm. Extend your arms lifting your body back up then repeat. In this position you may if needed use your legs to assist you.

Equalizer Tandem Chest Press

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Place two Equalizers parallel to each other. You can brace them against a wall for more stability or use them in open space. When standing bend forward and place on hand on each Equalizer on the curved end. Place yourself in a push-up position with your head aligned with your shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. You should have a neutral spine. For better balance and stability you can spread your legs a part to about shoulder width. If you would like more difficulty bring your feet together. Lower your body down to the handles until your upper arms are parallel to your sides and then press your body back up to the starting position. Remember to maintain posture throughout the movement. Another great core and upper body exercise!

Equalizer Tandem Row

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Take two Equalizers and place them side by side. Lay down on your back between both equalizers with the knees bent and feet flat on floor. Grasp the foam handles and then lift the hips off the ground in a bridging position. While engaging the shoulders pull your body up until your upper arms are parallel to your body and then return to the hanging bridge position then repeat. Your body should remain in alignment throughout the entire motion, head, shoulders and hips. Great body weight exercise that utilizes your core and upper body muscles!

Kettlebell

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A Kettlebell or in Russian “Girya” (ball or bell with a handle) was used over 350 years ago in Russia, as a certified handled counter weight for dry goods on market scales. Kettlebell lifting is the nation sport of Russia with national championships held each year. In the Russian Military, recruits are required as part of their training to use kettlebells. Kettlebells come in a range of styles/shapes and weights. They are primarily used for swinging, throwing, juggling, pressing, and holding type exercises.

What’s the difference between Kettlebells?

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There are basically two different styles of Kettlebells. In the picture to the left you see that the black Kettlebell has a thicker handle and a smaller body whereas the yellow Kettlebell on the right has a smaller handle and a much bigger body. The yellow Kettlebell is what they call a “Competition” Kettlebell named for its use in Kettlebell Competitions. The thickness of the handle and diameter of the bell are exactly the same in each weight. It allows for a smooth technique adaptation from one weight to the next. The “Competition” Kettlebell is much easier to swing than its counterpart which makes it a favorite with trainers and lifters alike. At BAC we feature “Competition” Kettlebells as a number of our staff were trained by World Champion and Master of Sport Coach Valery Federenko.