Fitness Class Instructors

I love BAC and have been a member for 16-ish years. I found this gym when my kids were little and knew I needed to take care of myself, get out of the house, and shower uninterrupted, lol! 

I love group classes: the comradery, the accountability, the challenge, the competitiveness, the support, and taking the guesswork out of trying to figure out your own workout. 

I fell into teaching by instructors telling me I should be teaching (and they needed subs). I subbed here and there for Zumba & Dance Jam as well, then got a little push with extra cash for subbing from a dear Zumba instructor to take my Zumba training. I also did a beach body training, got my Group Exercise/Bootcamp Certification from ASFA, and did a bunch of extra Zumba trainings that help with CECs and keeping things fresh.

Born and raised in Brazil, Adriane has spent the past 20+ years developing her energetic teaching and dance techniques. For her, dance is a way of life and represents the ultimate form of expression and fitness. She is passionate about combining music, fitness, breathing, and rhythm to connect and give people a healthy channel for self-expression. Every class is a unique experience aimed at celebrating life.

Degrees & Certificates
• Group Fitness Instructor, AFAA
• Certified Zumba Instructor (Zumba Fitness, Zumba Gold, Kids, Zumba Toning, Strong Nation)
• MixxedFit Certified
• BollyX Certified
• Pop Pilates Certified
• Afro Brazilian dance and technique
• Samba Rio style
• Cuban Rumba and Salsa
• CIRCL MOBILITY

I began practicing Yoga in 2006 to help increase my flexibility. I had just moved to Madison, WI, leaving my friends, fulltime job as a Fitness Director, and over 20 years of fitness industry experience from the NYC Metro area behind. I practiced mainly Power Flow Yoga, being drawn to the energy, strength and athleticism of the practice. As my practice grew, I found yoga provided so much more than improved flexibility and physical strength; I especially enjoyed being a part of a “like-minded community” at the yoga studio, fostering many wonderful friendships. I eventually discovered Yin Yoga, the perfect complement for my very high energy “Yang” lifestyle. Journeying to the “Yin-side” shifted my perspective; the mental and physical benefits of yoga merged with daily life.

Debi Peak is a 200-hour RYT/CYT and an ACE certified personal trainer; she currently lives in Bellingham and teaches Gentle Yoga at BAC.

In 2011, I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training at Mid-West Power Yoga with Deborah Williamson, concentrating on Bapiste style Vinyasa Power Flow. In the spring of 2013, I did a 54 hour Hot Yoga Intensive Teacher at Inner Fire Yoga, Madison, WI focusing on the Bikram series. In the summer of 2013, I completed my 50 hour Yin Yoga teacher training with Bernie Clark in Vancouver, BC. In February 2014, I attended a 60 hour Yin/Insight Yoga teacher training with Sarah Powers in Sydney, AU.

My yoga practice has shifted my Type A “goal-oriented” philosophy to one of greater balance, acceptance and presence in my own body. “Yoga has made me much more aware of the possibilities of the human body as well as the resiliency of the human spirit.”

I believe all people can benefit from a regular yoga practice. As a teacher I try to provide every student an opportunity to discover the joy in being their personal best.

Heather has been a certified group fitness instructor at BAC since 1998. She is currently teaching Power Pump, HIIT and Bootcamp classes. When not teaching, Heather is full-time paralegal and enjoys golfing, gardening, and spending time with her husband Lance and son Hunter.

As a former National Latin Dance champion in Colombia, Jovanny brings energy, expertise, and over seventeen years of professional experience ranging from group exercise, personal training, and dance to Bellingham. His background includes a specialization in dance technique, a BA in Sports Science and Recreation, and he is currently completing a Master’s degree in Sports Training and Management. His passions include Danzika, Bachata, HIIT training, Zumba, and Kickboxing.

Lesley is both an experienced Personal trainer and Fitness/Pilates Instructor. Her philosophy is helping clients to achieve healthy living through balancing work and family. Lesley firmly believes that making time for Fitness is essential for healthy living. She has also run weight loss clinics teaching clients the importance of sound nutrition and exercise. Lesley works with a wide variety of people of all ages and fitness levels. In her spare time, Lesley spends time with her sons, Luke and Matthew. Lesley also loves to run, bike, read, garden, and work on additional Fitness related certifications.

Melissa Lemcke has been teaching at BAC for many years. Melissa keeps her fitness interesting and ever-changing. She’s a certified spin, boot camp and TRX instructor with a new addition to her arsenal with Beachbody’s PiYo. Currently, Melissa is teaching Spin classes.

This journey in fitness has been a wonderful and exciting experience which shows in her classes. Melissa prides herself on the variety of content and the modifications in difficulty in her classes. Her education is always ongoing to keep her current and fresh.

Outside the gym, Melissa stays active with friends and family through running, triathlons and various races. Melissa is married to fellow group fitness instructor Jeremy Lemcke. Her daughters, Michaela and Zoey, keep her busy.

Michal feels a very strong spiritual connection to Yoga, which has guided her journey in life and naturally led her to the path of teaching.  She is a highly skilled professional, registered with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500, YACEP) and draws on 23 years of experience in teaching Yoga and a background in relaxation techniques, energy healing, and body psychotherapy.

Michal has a passion for creating a non-judgmental and open space for body-awareness, wellness, and acceptance of our multi-faceted nature – mind, body and soul.  Every class she offers has a different focus and includes breath awareness, stretching, core-strengthening, and modifications for different levels and injuries. Her intention in teaching is to help practitioners to see themselves with compassion and patience, and to leave class feeling revived, relaxed, freer and at ease.

In addition to teaching Yoga at BAC for 18 years, Michal instructs Yoga for academic credits at Whatcom Community College as adjunct faculty and Community Ed Classes, and at the FireHouse Arts & Events Center in Fairhaven. She is also a mom and a caregiver.

Patti has been teaching group fitness classes for over 15 years and has been at BAC for 10 years. Her formats include dance, step, strength and balance, kick boxing, circuit training, chair yoga, core and more, and FloMotion. She is certified by ACE and AFAA. Her strength is custom choreography unique to dance and step and her ability to format her class to all abilities from beginner to advanced. She enjoys teaching with a sense of humor to make the time pass quickly.

Tina has been teaching with BAC for 20 years and firmly believes that fitness and better health are for everyone.  A mom to two college athletes and having overcome her own health issues and sports-related injuries, she understands the importance of fitness and how to approach and develop training for your everyday activities and long term health.  Also a certified nutrition coach, she works to take a holistic approach with all of the BAC members she works with. Tina enjoys traveling, hiking with her husband and spending time with friends.