Our friends at our latest Advertiser – Matt Griffin YMCA – are excited to announce that their upcoming Open House is coming this Saturday, Jan. 16th from 10am to 1pm, with lots of games, demos, tours and specials.

If you haven’t had a chance to see their brand new facility – this is your chance!

There will  be games, cooking and Zumba demonstrations, tours, and fun activities for the whole family.

Have you made a commitment to yourself to get in shape in the new year? Join Matt Griffin YMCA before January 31st and save up to $125 in join fees! There is no better time to start taking better care of yourself!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Matt Griffin YMCA Open House

WHEN: Saturday, January 16th from 10am – 1pm

WHERE: Matt Griffin YMCA, 3595 South 188th in SeaTac

INFO: Everyone is Welcome!

More info on the Matt Griffin YMCA is available at their website.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 50,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

BTB Advertiser Highline Athletic Club has been serving the community for 22 years and is proud to have recently received two awards – here’s their latest news:

Highline Athletic Club wins BEST GYM in the health and fitness category in King 5’s Evening Magazine Best of Western Washington contest. We are proud to have won this great award and appreciate the votes from our members, staff and local community. We will continue to strive to be the BEST and provide our members with excellent facility and service.

Highline Athletic Club also wins BEST WORKOUT VENUE from Highline Times readers.  Thank you to our community for voting for us.  We appreciate the recognition and support.

ZUMBA comes to HAC!!  What exactly is ZUMBA?
ZUMBA is known to burn 500 calories an hour with this hot new workout! Well, the word ZUMBA is a Colombian slang meaning to move fast and have fun.  Are you in already?  This cardio workout is famous for its Latin-inspired dance steps, Salsa, Merengue, Flamenco, and Samba.  Although ZUMBA’S success stems from its Latin roots, you may also hear a little country, funk and rock & roll.  A variety of world influences are used we well, including Indian harmonies, and African Reggae tone.  The music enjoyed in this dance-based class offers something for everyone.  The class will be offered at Highline Athletic Club Wednesdays 6:30 PM with Patricia Vessey instructing.  ZUMBA dances its way into HAC beginning Wednesday, December 2nd. For more information on ZUMBA visit www.zumba.com.

Special Enrollment Fee Discount!
Highline Athletic Club wants your help in donating food to the hungry for Northwest Harvest during the month of November.  All food non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at Highline Athletic Club by November 30th.  If you are a non-member and are interested in joining the club simply bring in a bag of food for Northwest Harvest and your donation is also worth $50 off the current enrollment special. Below are the November enrollment fee specials & also what the enrollment would be if you donate to Northwest Harvest.  Great way to not only help others, but also your own health.

This promotion and food drive will end on November 30th, 2009.

What types of food does Northwest Harvest need?
 Northwest Harvest can use any nonperishable food or monetary donations. If you prefer to donate food, select shelf-stable food with the lowest saturated fats and refined carbohydrates (sugar, white flour). NW Harvest buys white rice and beans in bulk, so we encourage you to donate other items. Here are some suggestions:

General food items:

• Oatmeal
• Whole grain pastas
• Brown rice
• Tomato products
• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruit, especially with low sugar (but not artificial sweeteners)
• Canned fish or meat
• Shelf-stable milk
• Beef stew
• Chili and similar meals with low sugar and saturated fats

Infant and baby foods:

• Baby formula
• Canned milk
• Infant cereal
• Jars of baby food
• Powdered or canned milk
• Baby diapers also accepted

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, event listing and/or Ad like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 40,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

It’s the time of year to move your outdoor workouts inside, and there isn’t a better time to get started than this week at BTB Advertiser Highline Athletic Club.

HAC members, as well as non-members are invited to join the “Group X” (that’s Group Exercise) team for a fun morning of classes this Saturday Oct. 24th as they showcase their new fall class releases. This means new music & inspiring routines.  Come try multiple 30-minute sample classes and get a great workout!

That’s right, you can experience the music and routines for FREE whether you’re a member or not.  Fact is if you’re not a member, now would be a perfect time to join!  There will be ZERO, NADA, NOTHING charged to join the Highline Athletic Club now through Saturday, October 24th.  Just mention “The B-Town Blog” when you enroll and everything that HAC has to offer will become yours.

In addition to GroupX classes, there’s basketball, pickle ball, swimming pool, steam, sauna, Pilates Reformer studio…you name it, and HAC has it.

Join during the week so you are ready to go on Saturday with the first class starting at 8am.  And as a bonus, all Group X participants will receive HAC’s First edition member/staff Fall Cookbook as a gift.

Here is the line up:

8:00-8:30AM If you can move, you can Groove! You’ll stomp, flick, wiggle, jiggle, hip, hop, snap, shimmy, shake, slide, glide, smile and laugh your way through this 60 minute fitness dance program. Experience a fusion of club, urban and Latin dance styles with motivating chart topping hits and retro classic tunes. Supportive, funky, easy going instructor’s help you Get A Move On! with Group Groove®.

8:00-9:00AM: Everyone finishes first in Group Ride®! Pedal in groups, roll over hills, chase the pack, climb mountains and spin your way to burning calories and strengthening your lower body. This 60 minute cycling program is geared for anyone that can ride a bike. Motivating music, awesome instructors and an inspiring group environment lets you Ride On!

8:40-9:10AM: Group Kick® brings it on! This electric 60 minute fusion class of martial arts and boxing movements will kick your cardio fitness to the next level while defining and shaping your body and self confidence! Energetic music, awesome instructors and a group environment will keep you punching, kicking and smiling! Group Kick will knock you out!

9:20-9:50AM: Group Power® is your hour of power! This 60 minute barbell program strengthens all your major muscles in an inspiring, motivating group environment with fantastic music and awesome instructors. Group Power is for all ages and fitness levels. Discover results, discover Group Power!

10:00-10:30AM: Redefine yourself with Group Centergy®! Grow longer and stronger as you explore this 60-minute journey of yoga and Pilates movements. Positive uplifting music, group dynamics and supportive instructors will enable you to center your energy, reduce stress and even smile. Discover Group Centergy!

To repeat, all you have to do to take advantage of this fall special is:

• Before end of business this Saturday, Oct. 24th, mention The B-Town Blog and your enrollment fee will be ZERO!
• This Saturday, Oct. 24th, test out the club by trying out a free GroupX class listed above.
  
• Enjoy your newfound savings and health club!

Highline Athletic Club is located at 125 South 156th in Burien, and their phone number is 206-246-9000.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, event listing and/or Ad like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by over 35,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

The brand spankin’ new Matt Griffin YMCA is holding its grand opening this Saturday, Oct. 3rd from Noon to 5pm at its new location at 3595 South 188th in SeaTac.

The opening will feature free activities, including tours, health and wellness information, class demos, youth and family activities, cooking demonstrations, climbing on the new 28-foot climbing pinnacle and live music.

The facility is named after Matt Griffin, who began his involvement with the YMCA of Greater Seattle in the early 1980s. This is only the third time a local YMCA facility has been named for a community leader. Griffin joined the board in 1983 and has served in numerous leadership roles since. As chair of the board from 1997 – 2000, he oversaw a very successful $17 million capital campaign that redeveloped the historic Downtown Seattle YMCA and added youth development centers in YMCA branches throughout King County. Griffin also co-chaired the million It’s All About Community capital campaign. Conservative estimates indicate that Griffin has directly shepherded more than $55 million in philanthropic contributions for the YMCA– exponentially more than anyone else in our 132 year history.

Additionally, the Matt Griffin YMCA is also one of 11 local YMCAs selected as part of a $750,000 Knight Foundation grant to expand newcomer services. Key areas of focus include language and education, health and well-being, citizenship and civic engagement, job initiatives, and support of inclusive planning to strengthen communities. The new Y will offer more and better services than ever before to ethnic populations in the Sea-Tac and Highline communities.

Saturday’s event is entirely free and open to the public.

The YMCA chose the Matt Griffin location in the SeaTac neighborhood because that community is the fastest growing area in the Puget Sound area, in terms of both poverty and diversity. The new Matt Griffin YMCA will address needs in SeaTac, Highline, Burien, Normandy Park, White Center, Des Moines and other local areas.

It’s “Spring Training” time at BTB Advertiser Highline Athletic Club, which is celebrating this Saturday, April 18th with an incredible one-day grand slam of a special – NO ENROLLMENT FEES!

On Saturday, the HAC basketball court will be taken over for a FREE launch of GroupX (that’s Group Exercise), spring music and routines.

That’s right, you can experience the music and routines at no charge whether you’re a member or not. Fact is if you’re not a member, Saturday would be a perfect time to join, because there will be ZERO, NADA, NOTHING charged to join the Highline Athletic Club this Saturday only.

Here’s what you have to do get this amazing special:

1. Show up Saturday, April 18th and take one of the free demo GroupX Classes (schedule below)
   
2. After class, just enroll and everything that HAC has to offer will become yours (in addition to GroupX classes, there’s basketball, pickle ball, swimming pool, tanning…you name it, and HAC has it).

The schedule is as follows. Get there early and enjoy several classes, swimming or Salsa. The fun starts at 7:30am and runs ‘til 10:40am:

7:30-8:30am: Everyone finishes first in Group Ride®! Pedal in groups, roll over hills, chase the pack, climb mountains and spin your way to burning calories and strengthening your lower body. This normally 60-minute cycling program is geared for anyone that can ride a bike. Motivating music, awesome instructors and an inspiring group environment lets you Ride On!

8:00-8:35am: Group Kick® brings it on! This electric 60 minute fusion class of martial arts and boxing movements will kick your cardio fitness to the next level while defining and shaping your body and self confidence! Energetic music, awesome instructors and a group environment will keep you punching, kicking and smiling! Group Kick will knock you out!

8:45-9:20am: Group Power® is your hour of power! This normally 60-minute barbell program strengthens all your major muscles in an inspiring, motivating group environment with fantastic music and awesome instructors. Group Power is for all ages and fitness levels. Discover results, discover Group Power!

9:30-10:00am: Discover new heights with Group Step®! Utilizing the step in many positions and heights, this compelling normally 60-minute cardio program strengthens and shapes the lower body one step at a time. Energetic music and motivating instructors create this spunky group experience. Step this way with Group Step.

10:10-10:40am: Redefine yourself with Group Centergy®. Grow longer and stronger as you explore this regularly 60-minute journey of yoga and Pilates movements. Positive uplifting music, group dynamics and supportive instructors will enable you to center your energy, reduce stress and even smile. Discover Group Centergy!

And for good measure Highline Athletic Club has included two additional, very popular group classes: Salsa and Aqua Lite:

7:30-8:00am: Salsa lets you boogie to a Latin beat, while providing a solid cardio workout with a Latin flavor. Steps are broken down for all fitness and coordination levels.

8:00-9:00am: Aqua Lite is a great way to get an aerobic workout and tone muscles in a non-impact environment. Foam dumbbells and other devices are used to add resistance and intensity. Please advise your instructor if you are not a swimmer. The pool is 4.5 feet deep.

To repeat, all you have to do to take advantage of this grand slam of a special is:

• This Saturday, April 18th, take one free GroupX class listed above
  
• March over to the reception area and enroll/signup for membership
  
• Say you’re there because you read about the Zero initiation fee on The B-Town Blog (not required but hey, why not give us a plug?)
  
• Enjoy your newfound savings and health club!

Highline Athletic Club is located at 125 South 156th in Burien, and their phone number is 206-246-9000:

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