Bellingham Athletic Club

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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!

September Vibe

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Annual Shutdown

Thanks so much for your patience as we closed the club for our Annual BAC Shutdown. We started on Wednesday August 21st, with draining and cleaning the pool, then a crew of 5 resurfacing it on Thursday.  On Friday we moved to the main part of the club, replacing the ceiling tiles, and lights throughout.  All carpets were cleaned.  In the women’s locker room, we finished carpet and cove base, then deep cleaned all areas.  Racquetball courts were painted and cleaned.  All wet areas were scrubbed and scrubbed again.  All cardio and weight machines were cleaned and dusted.  The parking lot was striped, and the potholes were filled.  Whew!  That was a very busy and long weekend of work for our excellent staff.

Please come in and check out our refurbished club and be sure to thank our crew led by Brian Porter, Mike Locke, and Kellie McBeath.

We are looking forward to filling the pool Friday the 30th, then heating and balancing the chemicals over the weekend, with the pool opening for use on Labor Day September 2nd.

Cathy, Brian and McKenzie

 

Racquetball League

This is your last chance to sign up for Fall Racquetball League! Sign up by Thursday, September 5th at the front desk. The league will start September 11th and will run through November 3rd. Playoffs will be November 10th. There will be one match a week on Wednesdays, but matches can be rescheduled with your opponent if needed. There are divisions for Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner players. Membership is not required.

If you haven’t played racquetball before but want to learn, we have a beginner racquetball clinic on Saturday, September 7 from 10am-11am. This is free for members. Sign up online or at the front desk.

 

Employee Spotlight: Tish O’Keefe

Hi, I’m Tish O’Keefe and I have been with the Bellingham Athletic Club since 2019.  I teach Water Aerobic Classes and Private Swim Lessons here at BAC. I have been involved with Aquatics most of my life as an Aquatic Director, Swim lesson Instructor and Swim Lesson Instructor trainer, Infant Swimming Resource Instructor, USA Swim Coach, and Water Fitness Instructor and Trainer.

When not in the water, I play the flute in several local groups, volunteer for two dog rescue groups, teach CPR and First Aid Classes, and teach Adult Fitness classes on land. (I am experienced with teaching Silver Sneakers, Enhanced Fitness, and Arthritis Foundation Land Classes)

I enjoy music, walking, reading, spending time with friends, and sharing life with my husband and our two rescue dogs.

August Vibe

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Annual Club Closure

It’s time for our annual Club Shutdown for maintenance. The whole club will be closed from August 23rd-25th. Be sure to mark that on your calendar. Swimmers beware! The pool will be closed for an extended period of time so we can resurface the pool, then allow the surface to cure. We did not shut the pool down for resurfacing last year, so we need to be sure to get the process done properly. So, the pool will be closed from August 21st through September 1st. Thanks everyone for your patience as we do a ton of work in a very short time span. We’ll be painting, carpet cleaning, and redoing upholstery. Additionally exterior painting and ceiling repair, wall and cove base repair, parking lot repair and striping, and in general, a reorganization of the Bellingham Athletic Club space. We hate interrupting your well-established routine, but much needs to be done that cannot be accomplished while members are present.

Cathy, Brian and McKenzie

Check-In Challenge

Thank you to all of the members that participated in the Check-In Challenge this year! We had even more participation than last year. Congratulations to the 4 weekly winners: Steve Smith, Meg Fallows, Brooke Minkler, and Shana Axelson.
Thank you to the following local businesses that generously donated prizes for the challenge:
Washington Wind Sports, Gruff Brewing Co., Tony’s Coffee, Fairhaven Runners & Walkers, Whatcom Sports and Recreation, North Bellingham Golf Course, Kellie McBeath, Park Bowl, Entheos Massage, Whatcom Edge, James K. Papp

Member Spotlight: Steve Galloway

I am Steve(n) Galloway. I was raised in SW Washington. I attended Northwest Nazarene College (now University) in Nampa, Idaho, earning an Elementary Education Degree. I taught for 41 years in Boise and Mountain Home, Idaho. 30 of those years, I also taught Adult Sunday School. I retired to move to Bellingham so that my wife could care for her mother. We have 3 living daughters within 20 minutes of our house and 2 sons (one in Montana and one in Idaho). Currently there are 9 grandchildren with one more due in December. Hobbies include playing table games, watching action/adventure and comedy shows on TV, and solving KenKen and Sudoku puzzles. I have participated in many different sports. I focus on Handball and Pickleball at BAC. Come join us!!!

July Vibe

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Join Us For BAC Night at the Bells!

BAC night at the Bellingham Bells game is happening on Wednesday, July 24 at 6:35pm.

Enjoy an evening of baseball and come support our members that will be involved. Dave Wilbur will be throwing the first pitch, John Ruth and his quartet will be singing the US National Anthem, and Meg Fallows will be singing the Canadian National Anthem!

Free tickets for the July 24th game will be available at the front desk starting the week of July 8th!

 

July Check-In Challenge

Each time you check into Bellingham Athletic Club from July 1st-July 31st, you can fill out an entry to be eligible to win our weekly and grand prizes!

Weekly winners will be drawn each Monday, and the grand prize winner will be announced Thursday, August 1st!

Sponsors:

Washington Wind Sports
Gruff Brewing Co.
Tony’s Coffee
Walton Beverage
Kellie McBeath
Whatcom Sports and Recreation

  

Fairhaven Runners & Walkers
North Bellingham Golf Course
Park Bowl
Entheos Massage
Whatcom Edge
James K. Papp

 

June Vibe

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Bellingham Bells

Mark your calendar! BAC night at the Bells is Wednesday, July 24. Do you love to sing? Love baseball? We are looking for one or two people
to sing the U.S.A national anthem and/or the Canadian national anthem. If you are interested, please reach out to Brian or McKenzie!

Courtesy Corner

THANKS!!! BAC members are the best! Our membership has been very generous in support of Hope House. We have been able to give 15 bins of items to this wonderful charity. Every time we ask our membership to support those less fortunate in our community, you come through with wonderful and thoughtful donations. Way to go BAC! I also want to thank the swimmers for stepping up and responding to our request to cancel their swim lanes, we have been able to reallocate the lanes to other members. Also, our membership has curtailed the use of cell phones in the locker rooms. Thanks so much for reflecting the caring attitude of our BAC community!
Thanks for your cooperation!
Cathy, Brian, Kellie and McKenzie

Staff Spotlight
Avery Hamby

Hello! My name is Avery and I am so excited to be taking over as the new Kids Club Supervisor! I have been at BAC as a kids club attendant and front desk staff for nearly 6 months now and have thoroughly enjoyed my experience thus far. I joined BAC just after graduating from WWU in Fall of 2023 with my Bachelors of Arts in Education. When I am not at BAC, you can find me hiking, hammocking or reading comfortably at home. Childcare and education is a passion of mine, and I am looking forward to using my skills in the subject to further reach the goals of our Kids Club.

Equipment Spotlight – Hammer Strength Iso-Lateral Plate Load

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Located in our upstairs Fitness Area is our 5-piece plate loaded upper body Hammer Strength Circuit. Shoulder Press, Chest Press, DY Row, Row and Pulldown. What’s unique about these pieces are that they what Hammer Strength calls their “Iso-Lateral” pieces.

What that means is the movement arms are independent of each other forcing you to work both arms equally. Each piece’s movement arms can be used in tandem or one at a time giving you a variety of different workout options.

Each piece is plate loaded so you select the amount of weight you wish to lift and slide the plates on each post of the movement arms. Make sure to load both sides equally.

The seats on all the units are adjustable to fit the size of the user. If you have any questions on any of the Hammer Strength pieces, please ask one of the BAC Personal Training Staff. They would be happy to assist you!

Equipment Spotlight – Nautilus Gravitron Pull-up Dip

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Pull-ups and Dips have been Strength Training exercise staples for generations. Unfortunately for those of us that do not possess the requisite upper body strength to lift our body weight up it’s a near impossible task. Our Nautilus Gravitron Pull-up Dip machine is different than a standard pull-up or dip station in that its resistance plates provide the user with assistance rather than resistance.

As you move the pin down the stack and increase the weight you systematically reduce the amount of body weight you need to lift to complete a pull-up or dip. The weight stack offsets your body weight and provides you with as much assistance as you need, not resistance. This allows you to build up your upper body strength gradually with the end goal at some point to be able to lift your own body weight.

To use the Gravitron simply set the desired assistance weight you need, climb the steps to the top steps, grasp the dip handles or the pull-up handles, place one knee on the knee pad followed by the 2nd knee.  Your body weight will slowly lower the pad allowing you to do either do a dip or pull-up. The dip handles are tapered from wide opening down to a narrow opening to accommodate your shoulder width whereas the pull-up handle offer a variety of hand placements and widths you can use.

On completion of your set of pull-ups or dips slowly bring the knee platform down so that you can step down with one foot onto one of the steps then slowly begin lowering the weight stack down until it rests back on the weight stack then remove your other knee from the knee pad. Hold on to the dip handles and descend down the steps back to the ground.

A feature for those users that wish to perform the exercise with their body weight without assistance you can do that by removing the weight pin then pushing the knee pad down toward the floor and then inserting the weight pin into the hole on the bottom of the frame. This will hold the platform down out of the way so that the user can do body weight pull-ups and/or dips.

The Gravitron can be a nice addition to your normal workout routine. Give it a try and see what you think. If you like more information on how to operate the Gravitron please feel free to talk to one of the BAC Personal Training staff, they would be happy to assist you.