Bellingham Athletic Club

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July Vibe

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Member Spotlight: George Kaas

I have been a regular of BAC for several decades now, long enough to win a trivia t-shirt during the recent 50th celebration! BAC is very important to me because of the supportive and friendly staff – even when Brian critiques my style and form! A real community is present with everyone I have encountered at BAC over the years and I always look forward to being at the gym. The facility and equipment is top of the line and I really appreciate having the lap swim opportunity. Regularly visiting the gym is essential for me to maintain core strength and healthy aging.

I have been in the area for close to 50 years. I am a retired horticulture and science teacher from Bellingham Tech and Blaine High School. I wrote a gardening column for the Bellingham Herald for years and production for Cloud Mountain Farm. When I’m not at the gym, I volunteer for Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection, and the Noxious Weed Board.

Indoor Pickleball Times

 

 

 

Gold and Platinum members can sign up to play indoor pickleball during one of the timeslots. At each time slot, there are 6 spots so you’ll play with whoever else signed up during that time. You can check with the front desk staff to see who you’re playing with.

Indoor pickleball rules:

  • Members can sign up online through their member account, in person with the front desk, or over the phone.
  • 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 should choose the level that fits them best.

The outdoor pickleball courts are available to use during club hours. No reservations are required. Just check out a net at the front desk and set it up outside.

June Vibe

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Body Movement Assessment System

Our ability to move is essential to maintaining our fitness and quality of our everyday lives. With our Kinotek System, we 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.

Full Body DEXA Scan

Nomad Fit Lab and Bellingham Athletic Club are teaming up again to offer you DEXA scans. Recognized as the most accurate and reliable measure for analyzing body fat, lean muscle mass and bone mineral density, DEXA scans are the “gold standard” for accurately measuring body composition. Scans take less than 15 minutes and are now available on-site! They’ll be here on Monday, July 13 from 1:30pm-6:00pm. Book your appointment at nomadfitlab.com

Employee Spotlight: Rolland Courteau

Hello! My name is Rolland. I’m one of the personal trainers here at BAC. I also work the front desk a couple nights per week. As a recent arrival from Northwest Arkansas I am still becoming familiar with my new home here in Bellingham, and am quickly falling in love with the town. When I am not training or working at the athletic club you can find me exploring the attractions downtown or meandering the paths of Whatcom Falls and Arroyo Park. My foremost passion is physical fitness, so feel free to drop by the front desk next time you see me and we can talk about your exercise program!

Courtesy Corner

I hope June finds you well. We have had some complaints about members “missing” the lines in the parking lot. Please take care not to take up more than 1 space. If you have a trailer or are worried about your vehicle being damaged, go to the very back parking lot. Thanks so much, as always we welcome comments.

May Vibe

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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 three 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.

Member Spotlight: Doug Simpson

In 2007, I said goodbye to BNSF Railroad where I worked in the operation department for 41 years. After retirement I started fishing more and I’ve had some great trips and adventures. That same year I also joined BAC and told myself “this is my job now”. If I’m not upstairs working out or swimming laps in the pool, I’m playing pickleball with a great group of players.

My wife, Bonnie, and I have been together for 40 wonderful years. Together we have four kids, six grandkids, and seven great-grandkids. Just keeping track of their birthdays and ages can be a challenge. We both enjoy spending time together at home and at our cabin in Mazama where we spent time snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and hiking in the mountains. Even though we have both slowed down, staying active and healthy is important to us and BAC is a big part of that for me.

Courtesy Corner

Thank you for making our club such a positive and welcoming community. We truly appreciate the care and kindness you show one another each day, whether it’s offering encouragement, sharing equipment, or simply greeting a fellow member with a smile. Your respect for one another, for our facility, and for our team does not go unnoticed. We are especially grateful for the warm welcome you extend to new members, helping them feel comfortable and part of the club from day one.

Most of all, thank you for the kindness and appreciation you show our staff. Your patience, friendliness, and goodies (brownies, candy etc.) brought for the staff, mean a great deal to the people who work hard every day to make this club a great place for everyone.

It is because of members like you that our club feels more like a community than just a gym. We are grateful for each of you and proud of the culture we have built together. Thank you for being such an important part of it.

April Vibe

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Swim Lessons

We offer swim lessons year ‘round! Get ready for summer and join one of our upcoming sessions. We have classes for children from 6 months old all the way up to adult classes. Lessons are on both Tuesdays AND Thursdays. More information can be found by emailing our aquatics director at aquatics@bellinghamathleticclub.com, checking our website, or by speaking with our front desk staff. Get on the interest list to be notified when registration opens for one of the upcoming sessions below:

April 14 – April 30
May 5 – May 28
June 2 – June 25
June 30 – July 23
July 28 – August 20

Employee Spotlight: Claire Owen

Hello! My name is Claire and I started working for BAC a year ago this month. I recently graduated from Western Washington University where I studied Communications and the Salish Sea. I hope to use my degree to become a naturalist and teach people about marine conservation here in the Salish Sea. When I’m not at BAC you can find me at Larrabee State Park walking my puppy and tide-pooling! I have made some amazing connections here at the club, and I am grateful for all the experiences I have had working here.

Courtesy Corner: Control the Weight, Respect the Space

As many of you know, our upstairs weight room sits directly above the women’s locker room. Recently we’ve had an increase in members dropping heavy dumbbells and barbells at the end of sets. While this may seem harmless, the impact carries through the floor and can be extremely loud and startling for members using the locker room below. Repeated dropping also causes unnecessary wear and damage to our equipment and flooring.

For everyone’s comfort and safety, we ask that members control the weight all the way back to the ground at the end of each set. If a weight can only be dropped to finish the lift, it’s usually a sign that the weight may be a bit too heavy. Consider lowering the weight slightly or performing a few fewer repetitions so you can maintain control through the entire movement.

Strength training is an important part of the club experience, and we appreciate everyone helping keep the environment respectful and safe for fellow members. Lift strong, but lift with control. Thank you for your cooperation and courtesy.

Family Swim Time

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Family swim times are Fridays 6:00pm-8:00pm, Saturdays 3:00pm-5:00pm and Sundays 3:00pm-5:00pm. Family swim is available only for current Gold or Platinum members with kids under 16 years old. If the kids are on the membership, it is included. If they are not on the membership or for any other guests, there will be a $5+tax youth guest fee and/or a $10+tax adult guest fee. Parents are required to stay in the pool area unless the child(ren) have gone through junior orientation. Children under the age of 6 must have an adult in the water with them unless they pass a swim test.

March Vibe

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50th Anniversary Celebrations

As the 50th anniversary celebrations are coming to an end, we wanted to put out a reminder of the promotions that are still going on through the end of the month.

We’re welcoming former members and staff back to the BAC family with no joining fee and a month-to-month contract. It’s the perfect time to reconnect and be part of this exciting chapter. All current adult members received 3 additional free guest passes in January to share with friends and family, make sure to use them before they expire. Plus, for every new member you refer who joins, you’ll receive a $25 membership credit as our way of saying thank you for spreading the word. This all ends March 31, 2026 so make the most of it while you can!

Employee Spotlight: Ali Chutuk

Hi! I’m Ali and I started coming to the club in 2023 to strength train for my competitive figure skating. I then started working at the front desk 10 months ago, and I’m currently enrolled at WCC studying English.

When I’m not at work or exercising you’ll find me in a book store or along the trails of Whatcom Falls.

I’ve really enjoyed the atmosphere and supportive community here at BAC. I have also greatly appreciated the connections and opportunities I’ve
experienced.

Racquetball

Spring racquetball league will be running from March 25 through May 27. There will be 9 weeks of regular play plus playoffs will be May 27. Five divisions are available: Elite, A, B/C, D, and Juniors. Matches will be Wednesday evenings but can be rescheduled if necessary. Sign up at the front desk. Nonmembers are welcome.

Junior racquetball lessons are available for kids ages 8 and up. The next session will be March 23 through April 15. Sign up at the front desk. Nonmembers are welcome.

 

February Vibe

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Courtesy Corner

As our club gets busier, a few small courtesies go a long way in keeping BAC welcoming for everyone. Please remember to return disinfectant bottles to the Front Desk after use so they’re easy to refill and ready for the next member. As always please return all equipment to where you found it. We also ask that you be mindful of shared spaces and extend a little extra patience and kindness to newer members who may still be learning the flow of the club. A smile, a friendly hello, or offering to share equipment helps maintain the positive, inclusive atmosphere that makes BAC such a special place.

Valentine’s Zumba Party

Saturday, Februrary 14, 2026
9:30-10:45am
with Cindy and Jovanny

Valentine’s day falls on a Saturday this year, so it’s a perfect opportunity for a themed celebration of BAC’s 50th! Wear your red, pink, and hearts. Members can bring family and friends to the class for FREE! Cindy and Jovanny will both be teaching and are excited to do what they LOVE.

Member Spotlight: Maryanna Farrell

Maryanna Farrell has been a part of the Bellingham Athletic Club since 1994! She is 91 years young and going strong. Maryanna is in the club 5 to 6 days a week participating in our group fitness classes and often takes 2 classes in a row on Fridays! She goes to Zumba, HIIT, TBC, Dance Jam, and Power Pump. Maryanna walks her dog, Hershey, for 45 minutes to an hour every day as well! Group fitness classes form close friendships. We share life, look out for each other, and even get together outside of the gym for luncheons. Maryanna is a big part of the BAC family, and we are inspired to workout alongside her! We all aspire to be like her well into our 90s!

January Vibe

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Personal Training

We live in an age of unlimited access to information on health and fitness from a variety of sources. The challenge comes from trying to navigate through the volume of information we have access to and then having to sort out what is based on facts and what is not. Fortunately, we have a group of professionals here at BAC in our Personal Training department who can assist you in sorting out fact from fiction and provide you with sound strategies to meet and exceed your needs and goals.

Personal Training Staff

Lesley Jones – Personal Trainer/Group Exercise Instructor
Lesley works with a wide spectrum of clients. She has a background in Personal Training, Group Ex Instruction, Pilates, Nutrition, and Corrective Exercise.

Rich Nodarse – Personal Trainer
Rich has a background in Performance Psychology, Track and Field, and Crew. His clientele include adults with zero exercise experience to long time athletes to adolescents.

Krystal Tegarden – Personal Trainer
Krystal, as a performance skater, has been exposed to strength and conditioning for many years. Her specialties include: individual and group personal training, injury prevention, and roller skating instruction and coaching.

Danaelle Mason – Personal Trainer
Danaelle brings her passion for health, fitness, and wellness to each client. Her attention to detail and communication skills allow her to work with a wide range of clientele of all ages.

Rolland Courteau – Personal Trainer
Rolland specializes in muscle growth, high intensity training, and weight loss. He believes the best investment you can make is in your health. His focus is on maximizing gains and minimizing risk.

Miles Tennant – Personal Trainer
Miles is a former collegiate soccer player, an avid runner, biker, and triathlete. He brings this knowledge along with his recently obtained degree in Kinesiology to help clients build toward their health and fitness aspirations.

Mike Locke – Director of Fitness/Personal Trainer/Sports Performance Coach
Mike has garnered over four decades worth of experience. His clientele ranges from individuals new to exercise to older adults, from pre and posttherapy patients to athletes elementary age through high school as well as collegiate to professional.

Anastasiya Monaco – Yoga Instructor and Holistic Health Coach
Anastasiya is offering 1:1 holistic health coaching and private yoga classes. She’s passionate about helping people become a healthier, more empowered version of themselves.

December Vibe

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Toys for Tots 11/17/25 through 12/12/25

Thank you so much for all who have donated so far! 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!

Holiday Hours

Wednesday, December 24: 5:30am-2:00pm – regular morning

Thursday, December 25: CLOSED

Friday, December 26: 7:00am-7:00pm – NO classes, NO kids club, NO family swim

Wednesday, December 31: 5:30am-5:00pm – regular morning

Thursday, January 1: 7:00am-7:00pm – NO classes, NO kids club

Member Spotlight: Richard Maneval

I am a fourth generation resident of Whatcom County, living in Bellingham since 1974. Volunteering since I can remember. Working on public safety issues, our environment and economy.

I do a lot of research and reading. Enjoy learning about the history of Whatcom especially as a volunteer. Whatcom I have learned has one of the most diverse economies in the state of Washington.

I have met some very special people over the years, especially my wife who has Alzheimer’s. Because of that I have taken on the task of learning and reading about the brain. Working out at BAC and socializing with the other members helps a great deal in dealing with this Disease. Other members have expressed to me how important it is to be a member of BAC toward having a productive and safe life.