Rainier Health and Fitness

I've always been intimidated by gyms. I'm comfortable breaking out in a sweat but I never know what to do when I step out of the locker room and stare at all the machines. What do I do first? How long? Am I doing it right? That's why I love Rainier Health & Fitness and have been a member for a year and recently got a job there. It's community-centered, the staff create a personalized work out for you each time you want one (for free!), and you get results. There are senior classes MWF in the morning, there's Ladies' Only Night TTh, cycling groups & triathlon/marathon training teams. It's small but utilizes every inch of space by having people do a lot of work outs with balance balls, mats, & universal machines. And the best part: it's affordable. No astronomical enrollment fees or monthly rates - it's based on a sliding scale according to your income. Sweeeet. more

Finally: a gym that's not just out to make money and make me feel fat! The folks behind Rainier Health and Fitness realized that the Rainier Valley did not have any (not a one!) options for people looking to get in shape and learn about how to be healthy. Keeping in mind that the community is largely low-income and doesn't have a lot of access to health services or nutritional education, they opened a non-profit gym right on Rainier. Its current location is tiny (about 800 square feet) and is not a "commuter gym", meaning that it does not have showers or locker rooms. What it does have, however, is a sliding scale for payment with great prices; personal training (based on core strength and supplemented with cardio); friendly staff; sponsored events with free team training (such as the STP and Danskin Triathlon); women-only events and hours; and everything you need for a good workout, besides a pool. The great news is, in time for the New Year they are planning to open a space five times the size of their current building just a couple of miles down the road. Their new 4,000 square foot building will open the opportunity to add classes, more machinery, and staff to their program. A great gym with a great mission. more