Redmond Athletic Club

RAC is a good gym. I never have to wait to use equipment. You never have to deal with the stereotypical «gym rat» types. I always feel comfortable there, and everyone is pretty normal. It’s always a comfortable experience.
I had quit for a while to join one of the newer gyms that had just opened in Redmond. FULL of the «gym rat» guys and I felt pretty uncomfortable going into the free-​weight area, so I ended up cheating myself out of fully working out. I came back to RAC after 6 months at the other place.
A few gripes — but nothing really bad!
A lot of the equipment is outdated. The fitness classes are spread out and the ones I’d want to try are at times I wouldn’t be able to attend. I’d love to see more Pilates type or core strengthening classes either morning hours before work, or after 5. Seems like there are a lot of dance/​cardio type classes which isn’t really my thing.
The stretching area upstairs is a little small and houses a few old pieces of equipment that could probably be donated/​tossed out. I’d love to see some kettle balls or non-​reject free weights (the ones that have the rubberized coating that are peeling, the old iron ones that are kinda rusty looking, etc). Maybe a mirror (Might sound a little douche-​y but it’s good for watching your form while using freeweights.) I think this would help some of the lesser comfortable people start using freeweights, if they felt intimidated using the larger open area downstairs.
The cardio section is upstairs, and I feel like it’s not really well vented/​a bit warm. There are three industrial sized fans but you have to be on the right piece of equipment to really feel the cool air. I wish they’d turn off the massive hanging lights up there as they are not really necessary during daylight hours. They are fine over the rest of the lower half of the gym, but as the cardio area is up on the second floor, it feels like those huge lights are right in your face. (may also be adding to the warmth up there) Some people prefer a warm environment to run in — I prefer a little cooler. Nothing major.
It would be nice to have a larger sauna, or a steam room, hot tub… I realize those are kind of a big cost/​project, but it is one more thing the other gyms have that RAC doesn’t. Might be nice to sit in a hot tub after a hard workout.
On the plus side — I’ve never had problems finding a parking spot. I feel safe just leaving my keys sitting on the shelf in the main area while working out. It’s comfortable there and there’s no pressure from members or staff for anything. Staff is friendly and attentive. There is a rock climbing wall, but I only see someone using it maybe once a month. It’s clean. The women’s room is well stocked. There is a tanning bed — but maybe they’d benefit from ditching the bed and putting in a hot tub or larger sauna there? The kids area always looks clean and fairly organized. I’ve never seen any unhappy kids in there. The lady that is normally in there watching over them keeps them pretty entertained from what I can tell.
I like the place but there’s definitely some room for improvement.

My husband calls this gym his «normal people» gym; where normal people go. You don’t have to feel like you should already be super fit to workout. This is a gym where you can come with a baggy t-​shirt and shorts and not feel like you need to buy a new workout wardrobe with the latest fashions. You see a wide range of age groups here, which also gives you a sense of community. Equipment is a little outdated, but everything still works.
Reasons why we decided to end our membership:
–Club hours didn’t work with my husband’s schedule, wish they would open later, especially on weekends.
–It was kind of pricey.
–The classes that interested me were always early in the morning, so I barely ever made it… and on the rare occasion where I did make it, I arrived to find that the class was cancelled.

I really liked my experience at the RAC. I ended my membership because I changed jobs, but I wish I could import the RAC to Seattle and keep working out there.
It isn’t terribly cheap, but neither are any of the other nearby eastside gyms. They all raise their prices to make up for the income of their neighbors. The difference is that the RAC actually tries to make itself nicer inside vs. the chain gyms which give you the same experience that you’d have at any other chain gym but at an inflated price because they’re on the eastside.
Things I thought were really cool about the RAC:
— Zero pressure to sign up
— Zero pressure to upgrade my membership, join personal training, or buy any type of products or services
— Outside of the typical gym «rush hour» (right before 9, right after 5) it was rarely crowded
— Employees were friendly and helpful, including when I padlocked my gym locker shut with my wallet inside
— Monthly locker rentals for a low fee for people like me who took the bus to the gym
— Always super, super clean & no nasty mystery smells
— Quality straightening irons and hair dryers in the bathroom
— Free shampoo, soap, q-​tips, lotion, and other shower-​y needs
— Bath towels handed out
— Small but cozy sauna
— Equipment wasn’t always the very latest tech but all of it worked properly
— Lots of classes including a climbing wall
— When I had to cancel my account, they actually cancelled it and clearly explained when my final charge would occur. This is frequently a giant struggle for gyms for some reason.
In general, it’s a local, independent, community feeling place and isn’t full of any of the usual annoying things that I’ve experienced across my many gym memberships. Recommended.

This review is for the climbing wall and front desk staff — and NOT FOR THE GYM.
I went there with a Groupon for KAF Adventures which teaches rock climbing there and that was great. The wall is color coded and marked in intensity which makes it easier to learn how to climb.
The front desk sells Advocare which I use from time to time so I’m glad they carry it for easy purchase. That being said, the front desk staff had no idea what the different components were and how to advise me on on it, etc. Also, the prices are quite higher than buying from a Advocare consultant.

It’s never overly crowded. The staff is always friendly, polite, and helpful. The temperature is perfect and the large fans up with the cardio equipment help keep the air moving. The machines are all fairly up-​to-​date and well maintained. There is a towel service (both hand and bath towels) and the locker rooms are clean and tidy. There’s even a few bathroom accessories to use, like hair dryers, curling irons, and lotion, so you don’t have to lug everything around. There’s a full class schedule for members, plus additional paid options like personal training, running programs, and massages. The hours aren’t as convenient as other gyms, but you’ll probably never have to wait for the equipment you want to use. There’s also a rock climbing wall. And, I don’t have kids so I can’t speak to the day care staff, but they seem friend and the kids area has plenty of books and toys to entertain the young ones while you work out.
Other people have mentioned to membership is fairly pricey, though I found it quite reasonable — however, I suspect I’m getting a better rate being paired up with my husband’s membership through Microsoft.

Cute gym with friendly staff and towels provided! The classes are what I really go for, Zumba for the win!

RAC draws their income both from memberships and renting out space to personal trainers, basketball leagues, volleyball leagues — and many others. So you will be sharing the space with someone who has rented out (and paid for) significant amounts of the relatively small facility.
The basketball court is rented out for most hours after work (3pm onwards), and most weekend daylight hours to the iBall league. If you are getting a membership at the RAC to use the basketball court for practice, I’d think twice. Other hours are rented by boot camps and volleyball leagues.
The non-​basketball court portions of the gym are decent enough — but also rented to «boot camp» type personal trainers who are teaching loud group training classes in the weight room.
You can do better — check out the 2 new L.A. Fitness in Kirkland and Bellevue 148^th, or Gold’s. It’s not right to sell the same room to two different parties — which is exactly what is happening at the RAC.

This is a pricey place to have a membership, but it is a small friendly gym. The place is easy to navigate and is super well maintained. The locker rooms are always spotless, and the staff is always very welcoming. I know they are not 24 hours though, so if you are looking for really open hours then this is not the best place for you. They also host a few different classes that you can take without actually having to be a member here, which is why I am a regular here. There is definitely some regular zumba going on, since I see the end of that one every time I come in. :)
I visit RAC for a weekly belly dance class (Thursday nights) that’s pretty great. If you’re interested in checking that class out, the teacher is Alexandra and she is awesome. Her info can be found at
— the classes are broken into 8 week sessions where you learn a choreographed routine along with learning different belly dance moves. I recommend it!

I had a membership here for nearly a year before calling it quits because it just did not excite me anymore to go. To this day, I am still completely indifferent about the RAC. There are equal parts positives and negatives. It is expensive to have a membership here, and I’m not sure why. They have awful weekend hours. I noticed that I could never go there to exercise on the weekends because it didn’t work with my schedule, when the nearby Gold’s Gym was open for 24 hours and cost less.
This place is, by all standards, small. If you enjoy a small, intimate space to work-​out and everybody is smiling at you while you’re hot, red, and sweaty, then this is probably the place for you. When you first enter, you’re greeted by the front desk as usual. You go further down and there is a small rock climbing wall (no more than I’d say 15 – 20 feet; I’m not totally sure, I am terrible with number estimations if it’s not 0 or 1 million). You have the weight room, access to locker rooms, and personal trainers downstairs. Upstairs, you will find the cardio area and a cramped room with stationary bicycles.
Parking can be a nightmare because, much like the gym itself, there are limited spaces you can park. Also, I wouldn’t start jumping up and down in excitement about their amenities like the sauna. Their sauna there is comparable to a pigeon’s coop. It can only comfortably fit about 2 – 3 people. Anything more than that, and it’s going to feel like a heart-​to-​heart, let’s-paint-our-toenails-and-read-Vogue situation. Provided with the space they have, they have a decent selection for a gym, but they are all downsized to accommodate all of what they offer.
What they excel at here is cleanliness. Never once was I afraid that I would contract athlete’s foot or other hygiene-​related disease, so bravo. The showers, floors, and equipment are always wiped down well. Since experiencing the IMA at UW, I’ve been exposed to a much wider selection of exercise equipment, weight sets, and also a higher possibility of getting impetigo or some sort of fungus.

RAC has some great trainers and classes, but I’m seriously disappointed in the way business is handled. I signed up for a year’s membership, but noticed I was still getting charged after a year. I called and talked to Ryan who told me I could continue on through September if I wished. I told him I couldn’t continue through September and he asked me to just send him an email to process cancellation and all would be taken care of. I looked at my September statement and yet another charge was added from the RAC. I called thinking they had made a mistake and they would just delete the September charge. I talked to Ryan again and he was unwilling to take the charge off saying that I was supposed to give 30 days notice. Why didn’t he tell me that on the phone versus leading me to believe the email would take care of it? I’m pretty bummed about this, because I really had a great experience working with everyone there, but now I just can’t go back.

I love the RAC!
I remember trying on clothes over a year and a half ago. Then leaving the store empty-​handed to join the RAC after seeing myself in the mirror.
My husband and I regularly workout at the RAC and have seen amazing results! Thanks to the encouraging trainers, classes, and comfortable environment.
The staff is very friendly and helpful. The trainers are fun and knowledgeable. The class variety is so wonderful and fun! The equipment is all very new and well-​maintained. The rock wall and full basketball are fun and a great way to mix things up.
We will be sorry to leave the RAC when we move in a month.

I’ve been wanting to leave a review for the RAC but have been waiting to make sure my feelings about the place don’t change. I’ve been a member here for a couple of months now and my love for the place hasn’t worn off. I can’t say enough good things about the classes they offer, which most are FREE! That’s right FREE. I love Zumba, and the instructor Elizabeth, is fabulous. The cardio equipment is plentiful and I’ve never had to wait around for a machine, and most function as they should. I haven’t used a lot of the weight machines but the ones I have, have been great. The locker rooms are spacious. As far as the workers go, everyone is super friendly but not overly so. Lots of hyes and byes. Parking can be a bit of a pain, but I always eventually end up finding a space. Things they have that I want to try but haven’t… raquetball and the rock climbing wall. The RAC is where it’s at!

A gym where people actually go to workout??? Interesting concept, eh?
From start to finish, I’m thoroughly impressed with this gym. Some highlights:
— No pressure sales. I have never had such a scumbag-​free experience signing up.
— Full basketball court
— Rock climbing wall & instructors
— Good ventilation
— Sauna!
— Clean locker rooms
If you are familiar with Pro Club, they have some similar concepts. Towels available to all members, little extras in the locker rooms… and you can charge incidentals to your account so you don’t have to carry around cash. Win!

This place is fancy schmancy. Love the rock climbing wall. The locker rooms are also great. Lots of extras like mouth wash and blow driers. Seperate gender saunas make relaxing a little bit more enjoyable. Plenty of parking and of course you can work out too. Keep an eye out for their special events like the RAC to Redhook. Great for someone who loves a challenge.

Had great time at my first Boot Camp with Sgt. Lawson… Excellent, well-​rounded workout… Composed of stretching, outdoor lunges/​running around the building, indoor cardio work, following up with strength training/​abs and a final stretch. Loved every second of it and felt incredible afterwards. Can join the session or drop in rate. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to tone and tighten :)

I love this gym for one reason: the Boot Camp /​Extreme Sports Conditioning class. I am not a organized sport type person, but this class is the best thing since sliced bread. Don’t get me wrong: this class will kick your butt (it kicks mine every Tuesday and Thursday) but it ROCKS. Great instructors that rotate weekly, great classes, fun group, affordable price — what more do you want? Warning, you need to be in good shape to do this class, otherwise you’ll be left in the dust.
UPDATE: Gold’s Gym no longer has Sargent Mike teaching, and he was the reason boot camp there was so great. I might try to do Sgt. Mike’s Saturday boot camp in Greenlake (yes, he’s so good that I’d drive there to take his class), but I won’t be back to the RAC until they bring Sgt. Mike back!