by Rob Clay 

It is fitting now to shine our spotlight on the fitness options locally as you consider the depth of your resolve to get the body you want it this year.  Will you experience a healthier you in 2015? 
With those resolutions in hand, there are local options that you should consider when making the “which gym do I join?” decision. 

We queried fitness center owners locally to try to amass a basic set of options and features for you to consider your fitness goals.  The owners had a consensus; that there is a strong movement of people who want to get fit, live healthy and they are willing to make life changes to see the results they want.

We compared many attributes of the various local fitness centers and have provided a summary of each The goal with this article is to arm readers with the information necessary to compare facilities and pick the one that makes the most sense to join and begin a fitness journey.  

LOCAL FITNESS OPTIONS:
(shown in alphabetical order)

Crossfit Burien – An intense one-hour workout scheduled mornings and evenings.  Crossfit makes heavy use of weights and presses members to "personal best" which does stretch people beyond their comfort zone but is designed to also enable results beyond what one thought possible.  Crossfit has created a culture within its membership community.  Members mentally and physically push each other and enjoy the camaraderie.  Price is ~$175/month per person.  www.crossfitburien.com/

Freedom Fitness - A variety of workout options including self-lead workouts and boot-camp style workout.  Class sessions vary from 30 minutes to an hour and self-led weight lifting can be based on the member’s schedule.  Freedom Fitness is a small general gym with lots of options and excels most in boot-camp style workout.  The membership does have a unifying culture but the emphasis is on the individual deciding what they need and want from the facility.  Price is ~$100/month per person.   www.freedomfitnessgym.com/

Highline Club - One of the oldest fitness facilities in the community with a full gym, racquetball court and small swimming pool.  Operates under the private health club model, where use of the facility is for members only with a general appeal to the senior crowd.  Members are free to workout on their own any time the facility is open.  Personal trainers and scheduled classes are offered at an additional fee.  Pricing is ~$70/month per person. www.highlineathleticclub.com/

Hot Feet Fitness - The new kid on the block with a progressive methodology and results oriented mission.  Hot Feet started as a hot-workout using body weight only but is expanding class schedules to include hot yoga and hot stretch.  The workout and stretch sessions are 21 minutes in a hot studio.  All classes are scheduled and lead by a trained instructor.  Hot Feet combines fun with challenge in 21-minute classes and provides free diet and lifestyle resources and coaching to lose up to 1 pound per day.  Price is ~$20/month +$2.50/class or unlimited for ~75/month with discounts for friends and family memberships. www.HotFeetFitness.com/

LA Fitness - Declined our offer to obtain information from them. 

ProFitness - A general purpose gym with a long history in the community.  The primary push is weights and cardio equipment although there are some classes and other options with additional fees.  The membership does not seem to have a strong unifying culture causing them to be engendered to each other although they do seem to have loyalty to the facility.  Price is ~$50/month per person.  www.profitnessclubs.com/

OTHER REGIONAL OPTIONS:
Matt Griffin YMCA - Large facility with a full gym, a lap pool as well as a general workout facility.  Located in SeaTac with the draw being childcare for members.

Normandy Park Athletic – Modern facility with a mix of cardio and workout equipment.  This is a general gym with freedom to design your own workout although you can also upgrade to certain classes or trainer lead sessions.

Fitness With A Purpose - A Fitness center in White Center offering boot camp, Zumba, cardio strength, Pilates, and other classes.

Curves – Locations in Normandy Park & White Center offering fitness services geared towards women.

The fitness and exercise industry has change significantly in recent years. Membership is looking for true partnership in getting fit and options beyond a self directed workout.  People want to be part of a community; a culture of fitness friends and results are mandatory.  In order to get the results you want, you should combine your fitness plan with a diet and lifestyle plan.  In order to be successful in this, you must be part of a culture or a community that is going to support, encourage and guide us.  If you watched the movie, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead 2” recently, you know the main message that we do need to eat right and exercise but we need to be part of a healthy community in order for us to achieve our fitness goals.  To put it into perspective, many people join gyms to lose weight but the truth is that most of our weight loss opportunities happen during the hours we are in our kitchens, at work or in social settings.  The good news is that joining a fitness center, becoming part of a community and getting results in the way our clothes fit is relatively easy to do.  It is also motivating to eat well when we spend a little time investing in ourselves each day.

Join a local gym with local ownership and become part of a community of people that will support and encourage you to get the body you always wanted (or maybe once had).  Be sure to study the guidelines for diet and lifestyle as you embark on this membership journey and avoid gyms that put all their eggs in the gym-is-the-only-answer basket.  

      Look closely or an option that supports diet and lifestyle education in addition to tough workouts.  Finally, keep an open mind about your diet.  What you have done has gotten you to where you are so making some changes will be a good thing.  Happy 2015 and good luck making great progress towards your fitness goals.