Island Fitness — Attraction in Bainbridge Island

Update August 2024 I love the Challenges created by Island Fitness and this year is no exception! Requiring a yoga class as part of the Olympics Bingo Challenge, I decided to attend Sherry's Monday night yoga class and it was wonderful! Sherry directs her class in a way that anyone, at any level, can feel comfortable whether a beginner or long-time yoga practitioner. After only one class with all the relaxing breathing and stretching, I felt my posture significantly improve and I even felt taller!

Update 2018 I like challenges when I work out. Whether it’s the plank or wall sit challenge, the Summer Sizzle, or rowing two half-marathons this year (21,097 meters each) on the indoor erg, I can always count on my trainer, Loretta, and nutritionist, Alexa, to get me through the work that needs to be done. I love Island Fitness because it isn’t a one-size-fits-all gym. My programs are designed especially for me so that, if I do the necessary work, I am successful, and, in addition, Zumba with Josh is terrific!

Update 2017 On January 2nd, while at Island Fitness, I suffered a cerebellar stroke. I didn’t know it at the time because I had no paralysis, speech or visual impairment -- what I thought of as “typical” stroke symptoms. I experienced extreme dizziness, nausea and an inability to walk – all affecting my balance controlled by the cerebellum. Thankful for the kindness of Oly Gallagher (Zumba instructor), Douglas (front desk) and Barbara and Suzanne from the Zumba class, and the quick response by Carol O’Neill (Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist), paramedics were called and I was eventually taken to Harrison Hospital. Within two days, I was transferred to Swedish Medical Rehab Facility and sent home on Sunday, January 8th. The physical and occupational therapists were amazed at my progress and saw no reason to keep me any longer. I, as well as the therapists, attribute my extraordinarily quick recovery to Loretta Stanton, my personal trainer at Island Fitness. For years, she has focused on, and emphasized, the importance of balance in our training sessions especially as I’ve gotten older (now 65). In less than two days, I was able to walk unassisted. If you saw me, you’d never know I had a stroke just a few weeks ago. I am forever grateful to Island Fitness and, particularly, Loretta, for her dedication, knowledge and commitment to the health and well-being of her clients.

2016: Island Fitness is a great place to workout. The owners, Alexa and Michael, are fantastic business people. They know how to treat their clients. I've participated in lots of activities offered over the many years, including cycling, TRX and zumba - teachers are well-trained and lots of fun. I've been with a fantastic personal trainer, Loretta, for years (as well as a year with Jennie). Alexa, who does nutrition counseling, is both supportive and knowledgeable. It's amazing how little we know about what we eat! With all the help I receive from the great people at Island Fitness, I'm looking forward to many more years at Island Fitness to continue a...

I joined Island Fitness 6 years ago when I moved to Bainbridge Island. I was looking for something close to where I now live, and offered a reasonable schedule and variety of group classes to choose from. I have to confess that I don’t have a strong interest in body building or athletic endeavors, so I was mostly looking for a way to keep healthy. The classes that best fit what I was doing before turned out to be a weight lifting program set to music, call “Group Power”. I had never seriously lifted weights before, and I never would have considered it without this program—I find weight lifting and working out on machines by myself very boring! I’ve kept the routine since then, and I’m now in the best condition I have ever been. Being retired helps me schedule my life around the classes, but I think it’s worth it!

I didn’t join Island Fitness with the expectation of wanting or needing services from their trainers, but I was very wrong. The owners have made a considerable investment in “Ortho Kinetics” which is essentially a program which analyzes your body motions and compensating tendencies. With this information you can work with a trainer to design a program to help correct these tendencies. It’s the next best thing you can do for your body short of seeing a physical therapist! It turns out that I had been using shoulder muscles and leg muscles incorrectly, and by paying attention to what I should be using for certain motions, I was able to eliminate shoulder strains and a sciatic leg pain. I can recommend Jillian Batemen and Ann New if you can fit into their schedules.

The gym isn’t very large compared to say a “Gold’s Gym” but I haven’t experienced a lot of overcrowding. The owners maintain the facility extremely well, and have regularly upgraded the equipment and facilities since I’ve been a member. The only complaint I have is that six months ago they switched their “Group Power” program to “Body Pump”, a similar weight lifting program but the music isn’t as good, the programs don’t fit it as well, and the exercises are not as creative. I understand they did this because many more gyms use “Body Pump” and it’s easier to find instructors.

There are many ways, both more expensive and less, that you could exercise and maintain a healthy level of activity. All I can say is that Island Fitness’ programs work for me, and I find it well...

Update August 2024 I continue to love Island Fitness because of Michael and Alexa's outstanding management of the facility and the staff. Clean and efficient are understatements of the care I find when entering Island Fitness.

The staff is top notch and their level of training is very high. Because of their dedication, they offer the best fitness no matter the age of the person or condition of their client.

I've been lucky to be a member for almost two decades and hope to continue with Island Fitness into the future.

Update 2018

Island Fitness is a great place to work out. Although I love to complain that my trainer, Loretta, is torturing me, she is, in fact, working to keep me strong. Having a personal trainer is very important so that I exercise correctly without causing myself any injury. I always look forward to my massage therapy with Carol to finish off the week.

Island Fitness is a perfect place to work out, have a steam or massage or just visit with old friends before one of the many free classes. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the trainers are top notch. They are able to work with newbies and serious bodybuilders. I have no reservations recommending Island Fitness.

Update 2017 My wife, Leona, and I were at Island Fitness on January 2nd, when she had a cerebellar stroke. Because of the quick response by trainer and massage therapist, Carol O’Neill, in calling 911, a potentially life-threatening situation was avoided. I am forever grateful for the concern shown by owners, Alexa and Michael Rosenthal, for Leona’s welfare, and for our personal trainer, Loretta Stanton’s continuing efforts to help restore Leona’s balance and confidence. Looking at her today, you’d never know she had a stroke just weeks ago. The care and professionalism of the owners and personnel of Island Fitness team to their members is...