Membership director Lynn Marks (left) gets some TRX workout tips from trainer Shelly McGlothern at the Stillaguamish Athletic Club in Arlington.

 

Rob Dickson of Arlington founded the Stillaguamish Athletic Club 30 years ago as a men's racquetball club. Today the family-owned club is a full-service fitness facility that serves men, women and children, while retaining the "family feel" that sets it apart.

To celebrate the 30-year milestone and provide valuable information and services to the community, the club is hosting a Health and Safety Fair on its grounds, 4417-172nd St. NE in Arlington, on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Trainer Shelly McGlothern has worked with the club's manager, Carla Gastineau, and other staff members to schedule interesting and interactive events during the Saturday event. A bicycle rodeo is planned, along with information and training about bike and motorcycle safety. The Arlington Fire Department will be on hand with an explorable aid car, and the Arlington Police Explorers will provide safety tips. The family-oriented event also features instructors from the 911 Driving School, all active-duty police officers.

On the health side, the organic offerings of Garden Treasures will be on display, along with representatives from Haggen's and Costco. Several dentists, chiropractors and other health providers will be on hand.

"We wanted to make this fun and informative," said McGlothern. "We'll have kids' relay races, prizes and trivia drawings, and there's an open swim hour at the end of the day when the SAC pool is open to the community for just $5 per person."

McGlothern has only worked at the club for a short while, but she's been a loyal member for almost 20 years.

"I have attended other clubs, but nothing compares to the staff and members at Stilly," said McGlothern. "It's not just a club, it's part of our community. It has a very homey feel to it."

Gastineau agrees with the assessment, adding, "Rob [Dickson] and his wife Beth love this community and have nurtured the club, growing and changing as needed to meet current health and fitness needs while managing to keep that focus on community."

As it's currently configured, the Stillaguamish Athletic Club has two racquetball courts, a full size pool, hot tub and sauna, a group exercise room, and a full complement of the latest weight training, cardio and strength-enhancing equipment on two floors of the facility.

The newest addition to the workout plan is TRX, an innovative yet mobile system of straps and handles that lets the user's own body weight provide resistance. It's become increasingly popular, and has been adopted by military training programs and professional athletes.

One of the more popular features of the club is the pool, which accommodates more than 200 children per month for swim lessons.

"There's a lot of water around here," said Gastineau, "and parents want to make sure their children know how to swim confidently and effectively. We also have quite a few adults taking swim lessons."

Although the Stillaguamish Athletic Club is an independent business, it is part of a coalition of private clubs called Fit Life. By banding together, the local clubs can leverage buying power for equipment and supplies, allowing them to compete with the large health club chains.

"The bottom line is, we're part of the community, we care about our members, and it shows," said McGlothern. "We have the lowest staff turnover rate of any club in the Fit Life network, and the highest membership retention rate."

While fitness fads may come and go, that sense of community has been a priority at SAC for 30 years, and there's no sign of any changes in that department.