CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Barre

At Ballard Health Club, our barre instructors come from diverse backgrounds, and teach a variety of different methods. The freedom to teach their own style of barre makes each class a fun and unique workout.

Barre classes are a fusion of ballet-inspired movements, pilates, yoga and strength training. The focus is on high repetitions of small movements to hone in on specific muscles, and then stretching those muscles in a way that promotes long, lean growth. Using light weights, exercise balls, resistance bands, and body weight exercises makes for an intense, low-impact workout. It takes students from bursts of high level, intense activity into periods of relaxing, deep stretches, to imitate interval training and offer similar benefits. No dance experience necessary, and classes are traditionally done barefoot or with socks.

Bhakti Flow Yoga

An all levels class with a focus of linking body and breath together, along with direct pranayama (breath practices). This class also includes the chanting of sacred mantras from our hearts to connect with what's already within. Bhakti means participation, devotion and love for any endeavor. Bringing these qualities to the mat as we move breath by breath through our practice. Bhakti yoga is a practice of selfless devotion and recognition of the sacred or divine in everything.

BodyPump™

This class is an upbeat weightlifting program that strengthens and conditions your entire body using a barbell. BodyPump™ classes are designed to work every muscle group, using classic weightlifting movements like squats, deadlifts, and curls. The emphasis is on conditioning and endurance, using “the rep effect” to burn up to 540 calories in one session. Using lighter weights and higher repetitions, each song's choreography is designed to target and tone a specific muscle group of the body, strengthening and sculpting the shoulders, arms, legs, glutes, and core.

If you are new to weightlifting, BodyPump™ offers a great introduction. Classes are simple and easy to follow, all you need is a barbell and a bench. Dumbbells can be used in the place of a bar.

Check out the Les Mills’ website to learn more about BODYPUMP™ classes.

Circuit Training

A full body workout for all fitness levels. During our circuit classes at BHC, you will use a variety of equipment: dumbbells, gliders, balls, bands, steppers, and more! You can expect strength training, cardio, and core in each class. These classes are done in a circuit format to keep heart rate up and boredom down. Variations/modifications given will include: body weight, adding weight, high or low impact cardio, plyometric options, and more.

Cycling

A low-impact way to get a high-intensity cardio workout. In addition to getting your heart-pumping, cycling strengthens your lower body, especially your core, glutes, hamstrings, and quads. A 45-minute indoor cycling workout can burn 350-800+ calories! Each cycling class at BHC is 45 minutes long, including a warm up and cool down, and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. 

For your first time, please arrive 10-15 minutes early to allow the instructor to help you set up your bike.

Hatha Yoga

This class has an open level class format. The focus is on supporting you as you go deeper into your practice of yoga. You will work on poses, breathing, and being in your body as you move at your own level. Some yoga experience is helpful.

Silver Circuit: Studio X 

Designed for those who want a fun and challenging class using the equipment in Studio X (medicine balls, resistance bands, ropes, kettlebells, TRX, etc) but also need a low or no impact workout. Exercises are performed primarily in a circuit style. We will focus on functional fitness and activities of daily living (ADL) movements as well as making exercising FUN! Suitable for intermediate levels but can be modified for any level.

Silver Sneakers

Designed to increase strength, range of movement, and activities for daily living. *Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles, and a Silver Sneakers ball are offered for resistance training. A chair is used for seated exercises and standing support. The structure of the class is designed to spend half of the time standing and the other half seated; however, this can be adapted by the student depending on their fitness level and abilities. Suitable for beginning to intermediate skill levels.  Included with all BHC memberships.

Silver Sneakers PLUS

For those looking for a greater challenge than the Silver Sneakers class, this is the class for you! We will focus on functional fitness and activities of daily living (ADL) movements but at a slightly faster pace and higher intensity. A variety of formats are used in class to keep things interesting (circuit training, Tabata, supersets etc). Exercises will be performed primarily in a standing position throughout the class but can easily be modified for any fitness level. *Hand-held weights and elastic tubing with handles, are offered for resistance training. A chair and a towel may also be used.

The in-person Silver Sneakers classes are held at Leif Erickson Hall just across from the main Ballard Health Club parking lot on 56th Ave.

Slow Flow Yoga

Slow flow yoga has many of the same elements as vinyasa flow, but it is practiced at a slower pace. The practice is still centered around the breath, and linking breath with movement, but you’ll have a little more time for transitions, and to explore a position that feels good for your body in the pose or add props to your pose. The class will include movement, stillness, balancing, strengthening, flexibility, pranayama (breath practices) as well as other aspects of the practice of yoga woven in. 

Step

Perfect for basic and intermediate steppers, this class is a total body workout that includes cardiovascular endurance using the step and strengthening using light weights. Have fun while letting the music guide your workout!

Total Body Strong 45 & 60

Expect the unexpected and get Total Body Strong with constantly varied exercises and formats that combine strength training and metabolic conditioning to push you outside your comfort zone and elevate your fitness to a new level. Offered in 45min and 60min classes.

Vinyasa Basics

Vinyasa basics is an all-levels class for any yoga practitioner.  The pace is gentle and deliberate with lots of verbal cues.  Marianne often offers options for the various levels of vigor.  The content always includes responses to requests from class members.

Vinyasa Flow

Vinyasa flow is designed to build strength, flexibility, balance, resilience, and endurance in your body and calm your mind. This practice is centered around the breathe or "prana" which is like the life force that flows through everything. The practice incorporates balance postures as well as Sun A, Sun B and supine or floor poses. The class is intermediately challenging but also open to beginners. 

Yoga for All

This class is for those who want to learn more about yoga.  No yoga experience is necessary.  This slow, gentle practice will introduce students to yoga poses, terminology, and sequencing.  You don't need to be fit or flexible to try this class.

Yoga Basics

This is a Hatha style yoga for beginners. This class moves slowly, breaking down poses and working on proper body alignment and breathing techniques. No experience needed.

YogaStrength Fusion

This Vinyasa style yoga class links movement and breath together, weaving in strength exercises using small hand weights, straps, and bands. We focus on breathing, stability, balance, and core. Yoga experience is helpful.

Yoga Tune-Up®

Yoga Tune Up® is a fitness therapy format built around the three P’s – Pain, Posture and Performance. Using “Yoga Tune Up Balls”, it helps eradicate pain, improve posture and enhance performance through a unique blend of Corrective Exercise, Self Massage and Yoga. By helping to identify and target your “body blind spots”; areas that are most overused, underused, or misused, YTU heals damaged muscle, increases strength and establishes healthy movement patterns to help you live better in your body.” This class is the perfect way to release the physical stress of the day and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.

Required equipment: Yoga Tune Up ball or comparable substitute (softball, tennis ball, lacrosse ball, etc.)

Yoga Wind Down

This is our end of the weekend wind down class. Come and do an hour of invigorating yet relaxing poses and start the week out right.