Olympic Athletic Club

07/10/2008 Posted by seatlegirl

I've been a member for several years now and recommend Olympic to most anyone. It's not perfect, few places are, but it's pretty good. They have a wide variety of machines and equipment. Since the building is an old hotel, you do a lot of walking and take a lot of stairs to get from place to place. But who cares -- last time I checked, both counted as exercise. The con that kept me from giving a 5 star review is that much of their non-mechanical equipment seems to be reserved for sessions with trainers or in a class, like medicine bals (ha ha, this site won't let me add the extra "l"), which are only downstairs in the crowded free weight room, resistance bands, punching bags, etc. I'd love if they (gasp!) got rid of some of the older cardio equipment and made a space for working with items like this. Childcare is relatively easy to obtain and kids love it. In over 3 years of going 3-4 times a week, I've NEVER seen a child who looked under age 13 on the equipment or even upstairs unless they were taking a class, so I don't know what that one reviewer is talking about. I like it there. Given it's popularity, so do most people.

Pros: Lots of equipment, nice environment, convenient location, straightforward dues and membership

Cons: Parking situation is bad, would like more non-mechanical cardio equipment

02/20/2008 Posted by Bridgett80

I have belonged to multiple health clubs and Olympic is by far the best gym I have ever joined! Currently, the biggest perk for me is the childcare. I have two kids, a three year old and a six year old, and they both love going to the Kids Corner when I work out. The manager, a former school teacher, does a great job of training the staff and making sure there are plenty of things for the kids to do. There are always lots of activies provided, and they usually bring home an art project. The area is also very clean and organized. I feel better about spending time away from them since the area is so safe and secure. I also have both children in swim lessons, and the older child has just started racquetball lessons. I love the locker room. It's very clean and relaxing, and the steam room is great. I also appreciate that everything I need is provided (shampoo, body wash, hairdryers, ect.). The front desk is friendly and helpful. Since joining, many things have been added such as cycling and new strength equipment. They recently purchased new treadmills and elipticals, my favorite stuff. I would highly recommend this club.

12/03/2007 Posted by blywyn

No AC in summer, old equipment, and the shortest pool in th universe. Pretty disappointing. I know they're remodeling, but this gym is modeled on a hotel work-out room. Bleh.

Pros: Other members seem like real people

Cons: Facility

11/05/2007 Posted by kmutton

For a gym that advertises "Open 24 hours", I find it very surprising that they close before 8 on the weekends. The below comment about the steam room and other equipment is very true. The difference between this gym and another one in Ballard was the steam room and a big sauna which really enticed me. It hasn't been working for a long time and the only thing the staff can say is that "its being looked at". Also, the fact that we pay a fairly high membership rate and can only get one towel (sometimes too small to cover half a normal size woman's body) is ridiculous. Not to mention that the 1 in 4 of the towels that are given to me smell like they haven't even been properly cleaned. I suggest they use some bleach to really clean their stinky, old towels.

11/05/2007 Posted by seatttttle

I find that the people working here are borderline snobby and definitely not friendly and welcoming. Seems like there are always several of them standing around talking to each other at the front desk, yet very rarely do they say hello when you arrive. I recently asked for an extra towel when I checked in, and was pompously informed that I couldn't have one. My MAIN concern with this gym is the lack of upkeep on their equipment. The main draw for me was the steam room, and the steam room has been out of service for probably over a month now. Very frustrating. Also, they post that children under 13 are not allowed in the upstairs locker rooms, but on several occasions, I've seen children way under 13 in there. Or often playing on the elypticals and bikes on the exercise floor. Very distracting when you are trying to get in a good workout.

06/20/2007 Posted by kraf

To be fair, the work out rooms has nice equipment although some machines seem to be Out Of Order for a long time. The hours are great for people that want fflexable hours with their work out schedule. Child care is easy to get into and well run. My kids enjoy their time there and you can send snack which is nice. On my tour they market the Gym as being very client and community oriented with plenty of parking in the heart of Ballard. Most of the staff is friendly and responsive. My biggest issue is that on one evening visit I parked in one of the Gyms well lite parking lots and when I came out to leave, I my car was locked inside the garage. The staff memeber at the desk informed me that while she had a key to the garage it would cost $75 to get my car out. She also commented that the rule to charge $75 was "stupid". The hours on the garage are difficult to see and the gym staff made no effort to locate the owner of the car before they locked it (there was all of ten people in the gym). I had to walk home at 11pm at night (over 20 blocks). I called and left a message with management the next day but never received return call. I have seen the same thing happen to other unsuspecting members since that time. They occasionally announce overhead that the garage will close but I have been there on nights when they do not make any effort to alert members. It seems pretty excessive and not a well thought out policy.

Pros: Hours

Cons: Parking

08/18/2006 Posted by seattlediner06

Love this place. Towels available. Many different rooms for cardio workouts & plenty of equipment. I have been there at many different times of the day & have never had a problem getting equipment to work out on. They have TV's mounted on the wall, just bring your headphones & plug in. Many classes to take. Pool if your interested. Friendly staff. No loud announcements. No selling of personal trainers or diet supplements. Never had a problem finding parking. All ages of members and a comfortable gym environment. Check it out!

Pros: great atmosphere, plenty of equipement. Friendly staff. Open 24 hrs.

Cons: Not pricey but not cheap.

06/06/2006 Posted by macygirl

My husband and I moved to Ballard about a year ago and immediately checked out Olympic Athelteic Club. I was pleasantly surprized to see such a wide mix off ages. I immediately feelt comfortable working out there. In the year I've been going to OAC, I have never had to wait for a piece of equipment. Some classes can get crowded (Ab class), but most are easy to get into and the instructors are accomodating and knowledagle. My husband loves the fact they have raquetball. Many people are drawn to the salt water pool. It's the perfect gym that's full of character. Although they are located in the heart of Ballard, they have 4 lots availalbe for parking. No matter how crowded they gym may be, I've always been able to find a place to park.

Pros: amenities, family friendly, historical building

Cons: a little pricey

11/13/2005 Posted by quadradomus

This is the only Gym I've been to that hasn't been staffed by a bunch of Barbie yo-yo's at the front desk, who want nothing but to sell you a bunch of fat burning pills, etc. As said before, this place is just about going and sweating. If you've got a question they're very helpful. Otherwise just do what your here for. The equipment is in good condition, and 99% of the time up and running. There is a huge amount of variety. I especially like that this club has both raquetball courts and a descent pool. Not many gyms that I've seen can accomadate so many peripheral activities. I highly recommend.

Pros: No hard sales freaks, Raquetball, pool etc., atmosphere

Cons: none

11/04/2004 Posted by beyersdorf

This gym literally has it all! Childcare, parking and then pilates, yoga, swimming and spinning. I highly recommend this gym.

Pros: price, parking, childcare