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July Vibe

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July Check-In Challenge

We’re running our 3rd annual July Check-In Challenge this year! Each time you check into the club from July 1-July 31, 2025, you can fill out an entry form and be eligible to win our weekly and grand prizes.

We have four weekly prizes plus the grand prize. Weekly winners will be drawn and announced via our social media each Tuesday. Our grand prize winner will be announced August 1, 2025!

We must be able to read your first and last name on the entry ticket and have updated contact information. You must be 18 years or older and have an active BAC membership to win.

Sponsors:

WWS Boardshop
Edward Jones
Bellingham Pickleball Club
Cruisin Coffee
Mammoth Mini Golf
Nomad Fit Lab
Gruff Brewing
Boomers Drive In
Sliced
Whatcom Sports and Recreation
Tony’s Coffee
Cool Beans
Bellingham Bells

June Vibe

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Equipment Spotlight
Nautilus Gravitron Pull-up/Dip Assist Machine

Pull-ups and dips have been Strength training exercise staples for generations. Unfortunately for many of us we do not have the requisite amount of upper body strength to lift our body weight suspended from a pull-up bar or dip bars. BAC’s Nautilus Gravitron Pull-up/Dip machine is different from a standard pull-up or dip station and a normal weight stack machine. The Gravitron’s weight stack instead of providing resistance it actually provides assistance by offsetting your body weight to allow users of all fitness levels the ability to perform a pull-up and dip. The more weight you add, the more assistance you get. If you would like to see how the Gravitron could work for you please speak to one of our training staff. They would be happy to help you.

Courtesy Corner
Respect the Space: Return Equipment to Its Place

At Bellingham Athletic Club, we take pride in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all members. One small action that makes a big difference is returning equipment to its proper place after use.

Whether it’s a dumbbell, resistance band, kettlebell, or yoga mat—putting equipment back where it belongs helps keep the gym organized and ensures everyone has access to what they need when they need it. It also prevents accidents and keeps walkways clear.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Re-rack weights and return dumbbells to their labeled spots.
  • Wipe down and neatly return mats and accessories.
  • Check for any personal or shared gear before leaving an area.

Let’s all do our part to keep BAC running smoothly. A few extra seconds of effort from each of us creates a better experience for everyone. Thanks for being a considerate member of our community!

May Vibe

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Member Spotlight: Kevin and Jessica Richins

We are Kevin and Jessica Richins. We have been married for 26 years. We have 3 children, 1 in high school and 2 at college at Utah State University. We are relatively new members of the BAC family. After decades of focusing on running as our main exercise activity, we decided that our joints needed a break. We have been very happy to find a community of welcoming friends and enjoy many of the classes and activities the BAC provides. If we are not at the gym you will find Jessica working as a nurse for Whatcom Hospice, while Kevin is teaching at Lynden High School.

We enjoy the outdoors, gardening, biking, and walking/hiking. We especially like cooking together and discovering new recipes. Whenever we eat at a restaurant we try to figure out how we can recreate the same dish at home! Kevin also enjoys taking photos of the stars. We are looking forward to a summer with a plentiful garden and time outside with friends and family.

Check-In Challenge Donations

We are so excited to run the Check-In Challenge again this July! We’ve been able to give out some great prizes the last two years. We are hoping to partner with local businesses again this year. We’re looking for members that own or work for a company that would like to partner with us! We’re open to trades or donations. Please see Brian for more details.

Courtesy Corner – New TV Boxes

Comcast has replaced our old TV boxes with new ones. As it seems lately, replacements mean a step back instead of forward. Our old remotes worked on any TV. Our new remotes are digitally linked to only one TV Box. The remotes are marked (on their backs) with the TV they correspond to, 5 for TV 5 etc. Please return the remotes to the TVs to which they belong. That will prevent members from having to search for the remotes (possibly disrupting members’ workouts).

Thanks again for helping us with our No Cell Phone Policy in the locker rooms. A gentle reminder for everyone.

Cathy

April Vibe

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Food Drive – Miracle Food Network

Happy Spring! We will be collecting food for the Miracle Food Network from April 1st through April 18th. This is a great time to clean out your cupboards of non-perishables, or buy an extra bag of groceries and join your fellow BAC members in supporting Whatcom County’s less fortunate. We will have a box for donations located by the front door.

Employee Spotlight: Megan Davis

Hey! My name is Megan and I have been working in Kids Club at BAC for about the last eight months. I am currently a student at Western Washington University and I am pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Elementary Education. When I’m not back in Kids Club, you will finding me walking around Boulevard Park, at the climbing gym, or cooking in my kitchen. My favorite part of working in Kids Club at BAC is providing a safe, positive environment for kids to socialize and play.

Courtesy Corner

Cell Phone Policy

Thank you so much for the positive response to our Cell Phone Policy. In all the years of working here at the club, I have never had so many “Thank You’s” and positive responses to a new policy roll-out. This tells me it was needed. Thanks to all of you who are putting phones away; and remember not to bristle if a fellow member reminds you of the policy.

Parking Lot Protocol

Please park properly, between the lines, not straddling them. There are times when parking spaces are at a premium, be courteous and take only one spot.

-Cathy Buckley

March Vibe

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50th Northwest Open Racquetball Tournament

THE NORTHWEST OPEN IS BACK!

April 11th-13th, 2025

For many years; BAC hosted one of the best racquetball tournaments in the State. Then COVID hit, and we had to cancel the event. Now, we’re pleased to announce the 50th Anniversary will be held in April. All levels will be offered: from beginners to open players as well as age groups and junior divisions. Junior entry fees will be half price.

There will be free meals, great souvenir tournament shirts and awards for every division. We would love to see our members participate. If you have any questions, be sure to ask any of the tourney directors: Brian Porter, Wanda Collins, Phil Nelson or Jessie Scott.

You can enter online at r2sports.com or by filling out a paper entry that will be available by the racquetball bulletin board in our main hallway or at the front desk in mid March.

Some divisions may only have to play Saturday or Sunday, depending on number of entries.

Member Spotlight: Phil Nelson

I’ve been a member of BAC for over 25 years and primarily play racquetball. I’ve played league, tournaments and just for fun play. Recently I’ve been involved in helping organize and run some racquetball tournaments, both here at BAC and for the Washington Racquetball Association.

I’ve been a faculty member in the Computer Science department at Western Washington University for 37 years. It has been a privilege to teach many students about software systems, some who have worked or are members here at BAC.

I also enjoy hiking, golf, fishing and going to church every Saturday. Although I haven’t flown recently, I’m also a private pilot.

February Vibe

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Body Movement Assessment System

Kinotek Reports

Our ability to move is essential to maintaining our fitness and quality of our everyday lives. With our new Kinotek System, we now have the ability to assess your body’s ability to move with a menu of 65 movements from head to toe.

In just minutes, we can scan your body movement, providing you with a picture of your joint ranges of motion, posture, asymmetries from one side to the other, and any compensations you may have developed.

Our trainers can help set up a program to increase mobility and decrease asymmetries, then we can re-assess your movements and see how you have improved.

For more information or to schedule a Kinotek appointment please contact one of our Personal Training Staff or our Front Desk.

Member Spotlight: Dale and Jean Brandland

Hi. We are Dale and Jean Brandland. We have been members of BAC since 1989!

We are currently enjoying using the weight room (taking advantage of the ActivTrax program), treadmills, the pool for water aerobics, and now playing Pickleball. We have realized that as our needs and abilities change, we can always find some sort of activity that will work for us.

We really appreciate the staff at BAC. They are all friendly and helpful. It has been a great place for us to meet and see friends on a regular basis.

Beyond the club, we enjoy traveling, gardening, reading, and hiking. We have two children who live locally, nine grandchildren, two foster grandchildren, and three great grandchildren!

January Vibe

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Pickleball

New evening pickleball times starting Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Beginner pickleball: Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00pm
Intermediate pickleball: Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30pm

Indoor Pickleball Rules:

  • Members can sign up online through their member account, in person with the front desk, or over the phone.
  • Gold and Platinum members may sign up one week in advance.
  • Members may only sign themselves up, they may not sign up another member.
  • Members may only sign up for one timeslot per day (waitlist is considered a spot)
  • There are two waitlist spots who will be moved up automatically if a spot opens. They’ll receive an email when they get moved up.
  • Members may choose the level that fits them best (Beginner or Intermediate)
  • Members can sign up a guest 3 days in advance if there is still room.

Employee Spotlight: Hannah Nelson

Hi, my name is Hannah, and I have been working the front desk at BAC for the last eight months. I am currently enrolled at Whatcom Community College, working towards my paralegal certification. I graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in English. If you don’t see me working at the front desk, you might find me walking around Fairhaven with my dog Otis or at any cute coffee shop/cafe. My favorite thing about working at BAC is the connections I can make with members and creating a welcoming environment for their gym experience.

Courtesy Corner – Happy New Year!

With the January rush upon us, please remember to cancel any swim lane or Kids Club reservations to allow other members use of the facilities. Be welcoming and patient with any newcomers, we’re glad when anyone catches the “fitness bug” and makes positive changes in their lives.

December Vibe

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Holiday Hours:

Tuesday, December 24th – 5:30am-2:00pm
Wednesday, December 25th – CLOSED
Tuesday, December 31st – 5:30am-5:00pm
Wednesday, January 1st – 7:00am-7:00pm

Weather Policy:

For the safety and well-being of all those concerned, our weather policy is as
follows:
When the Bellingham Public Schools are closed due to weather, BAC will be
open with a skeleton staff and regular hours, but there will be no classes or
appointments.
When the Bellingham Public Schools are delayed, BAC will be open, but there will
be no A.M. classes or appointments.

BAC Member Market:

We are starting a “for sale” board at the club where members can offer items up
for sale. The goal is to give members a space where they can buy and sell items
within then BAC community. This will be located on the board by the ice machine,
next to the group exercise chalkboard.
All Member Market postings must:
• Include member name, contact information, & date
• Include item being sold & it’s price
• Be removed by seller once item is sold
You can ask at the front desk for a sale ticket if you have something to sell.
All inquiries about postings go directly through the seller. Front desk is not
responsible for answering questions and taking payment.

November Vibe

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Healthy through the holidays

As we head into the holidays we are often tempted into overindulgence and mindless eating.
Here are a few tips to stay on track:
1. Don’t show up hungry! Skipping meals doesn’t save calories – if you sit down starving to
dinner, you’ll find yourself eating more than necessary.
2. Eat small portions of your favorite indulgence foods. Use a tablespoon to serve yourself a
small portion of something you truly want, but skip the food you don’t absolutely love.
3. If you are not in charge of the meal, bring a healthy side dish. Not only does this put a little
less stress on the host and add a healthy option to dinner, it will ensure you have something
healthy to eat!
4. Return to your routine after Thanksgiving! If you overindulge in one meal, it does no good to
sabotage the entire weekend. Get back into the gym or take a walk and drink some water. The
faster you’re able to get back on track, the less chance you’ll have of gaining weight.
Have a fun and healthy holiday season!

Giving Season

We are heading into the “Giving season” for BAC. Our
Fall Food Drive, and our annual Toys for
Tots promotion. I would like to urge all members if you
are able, to give generously this season.
Many in our community are in need.

Food Drive 11/4/24 through 11/30/24

We will be collecting food for the Miracle Food Network from November 4th through November
30th . This is a great time to clean out your cupboards of non-perishables, or buy an extra bag of
groceries and join your fellow BAC members in supporting Whatcom County’s less fortunate.

Toys for Tots 11/20/24 through 12/13/24

Please bring in new unwrapped toys to contribute to Whatcom County children who you can
help have a wonderful Christmas. This is also your chance to have fun Christmas shopping for
kids!

Another thought. . . . have everyone coming to your Thanksgiving festivities bring a bag of food
or bundle of toys. What a great way to demonstrate your thanks for your blessings and start off
your holidays in the spirit!

October Vibe

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Courtesy Corner

Please present your member card to check in to BAC

We are asking all members and guests to be sure to have your pictures taken and entered in our system. Once we have your picture, we can print your membership card for you. Members presenting a card move quickly through the check-in process. If you have misplaced/forgotten your card you may sign in, please print legibly, but you must have a picture in our system, or you will need to present picture ID.

This will help us assure that only members are accessing the club, helps the staff to get to know your name (and helps me remember your names 😊) and provides an accurate record of your check-ins. We strive to know all our members, but we do have new employees who haven’t yet learned your names. Please help them by bringing your card and checking in upon arrival (even before you go set up your station for class).

This policy is being enacted to:

  • Protect you and your property while at the club
  • Ensure the safety of our staff and prevent unauthorized admission
  • Ensure each visit is recorded

If you are frustrated by this policy, please direct your questions to either Brian or myself, the Front Desk staff is just trying to do their best to check in members as efficiently as possible.

Cathy

 

Fall Classic Racquetball Tournament

The Fall Classic Racquetball Tournament is coming to BAC! It will be on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Join us for a great day of play! There will be divisions for beginners through advanced players, juniors, adult age divisions, singles and doubles! Lunch and awards will be provided.

You can enter online by going to www.r2sports.com and searching for the event by name and state or you can fill out a paper entry form that is available at the club.

 

Member Spotlight: Regina Clemenson

Hi, I am Regina Clemenson. I’ve been a member at BAC for more than 20 years. My husband, Cary, and I have been married for 30 years and we have two children. My daughter Kolbi still takes classes here with me a couple days a week. Sunday is my rest day, however you will find me here taking classes six days a week. I truly value how hard working and dedicated the instructors are here. The friendships that I’ve made have been a blessing! I love that the gym is so multigenerational. In May, I was able to celebrate Maryanna Farrell at her 90th surprise birthday party. Maryanna and I take classes together 6 days a week. When I grow up I want to be just like her!