Member Spotlight: Anna Mansbridge
How long have you been a member at Ballard Health Club?
I have been attending classes at the club for about 18 years.
Why do you work out?
I work out to keep myself in shape, and to feel good about myself and my body. I am still performing historical dance (15th-18th century European court and country dance), so I also need to fit into my costumes (including corsets)!
When you are at the gym, what do you do to work out?
Sometimes I run on the treadmill, and work out using weights. I take Circuit, Barre and Yoga classes regularly to ensure variety in my workout.
What at BHC has worked for you for attaining your goals?
The variety of classes that I take keeps me motivated to keep coming back, and to challenge my body in different ways.
I have more strength due to using weights, which I never used to do, and I have been able to address and correct muscular imbalances that resulted from intense dance training focused on using muscles in the same way over many years.
As I get older, I find that my physical needs have changed, and I have been able to address these changes at the gym. For example, I have been able to correct pain in my left hip during the past 5 years through working the hip joint and musculature in different ways. Barre class sure does help with this ☺
Why do you choose to work out at BHC?
The location is perfect. I live in Ballard, so it is quick and easy for me to get to the gym. The desk staff are always very friendly and helpful, and I enjoy the expertise and variety of the instructors. They are always encouraging, and teach classes that are energizing and fun.
I enjoy the social aspect, making new friends, and I have bumped into people I knew many years ago. I also enjoy the sauna!
What is your favorite piece of equipment, exercise, or class to do in the gym or at home?
I travel quite a bit, so to keep in shape when I don’t have access to a gym I combine exercises that I have learned in class that my body needs, especially after a long bout of sitting on a plane, like clam shells, leg lifts, lunges, burpees, planks, cat cow and various yoga exercises and stretches.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I am very grateful to all the staff and instructors for their commitment and support to helping people to keep in shape. Ballard gym is a very welcoming and friendly place for all humans, regardless of their current fitness level.
Besides the physical benefits, exercise is good for mental health, releasing “feel good” chemicals in the brain that help with a positive outlook on life. I always feel so much better when I have attended a class. I feel stronger and more able to tackle life’s challenges.
A duet I am choreographing to J.S. Bach’s D-Minor Ciaconne for solo violin will be performed at Meany Theater on April 10 at 7:30pm.
Information and tickets are available at Seattle Bach Festival: seattlebachfestival.org. It would be wonderful if gym members could come ☺
