
Although Carmen is a recent addition to our team she instantaneously became an invaluable member of our staff. She has quickly earned the trust and respect of all her co-workers. There is nothing that she would not take on if asked. Carmen jumped into her new position as Director of Membership with both feet and made the transition into her new role appear seamless. She is always eager to step up and help out wherever she can and brings a ton of positive energy to our administrative office.
Employee of The Month, October News & Events

Aditya Pande came to Teresa Nelson and TN Multisports in December of 2015 being inspired by a local co-worker who we had helped complete Ironman Chattanooga. He wanted to do the same and quickly joined Seattle Athletic Club to work on his swimming.
At Aditya’s first lesson he was unable to make it from the wall to the flags (5 yards). We called upon our super patient and technique driven instructor Nathan Palmer to help him out. Aditya and Nathan met two to three times a week covering breathing techniques, floating, and eventually the full swim stroke. With learning anything new, he had good days and not so good days, but he stuck with it believing in his plan.
Aditya, also, was new to biking, having ridden a bike before, but still needed to learn clipping in and out, bike handling, and basic skills associated with riding on the road. He participated in our Lake Chelan bike camp in April, and several group rides throughout the year to conquer these skills. He learned to love riding!
Several months passed and although Aditya could swim we still had to conquer the swim in the lake and with a wetsuit. Aditya began doing lessons in the open water, meeting with triathlon coaches Mark Webb and Dustin Gilbert, both avid SAC go-ers as well. Although hesitant, he and Coach Teresa decided it was time to pull the plug and signed up for his first super-sprint triathlon at Lake Meridian.
Race day came and the gun went off for his 400-yard swim and panic set in. He hung onto a kayak as several minutes passed. Nathan went to the race and with a little help from kayakers, they were able to encourage Aditya put his head down and get the swim done. He completed the three disciples of swim, bike and run in a little over 2 hours!
Three weeks later we decided to try another triathlon after a few more open water swims. His event was at Lake Stevens. This time, he finished the swim portion in half the time of his previous race and dropped 30 minutes off his previous race time. (Click here for the video)
Aditya refused to give up, showed up and made things happen day after day and week after week, for nearly a year!!! You can learn a lot from this guy. You will continue to find Aditya in the pool perfecting his stroke, running to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and biking as he trains for his third major triathlon in California, the Oceanside 70.3 in April 2017 which is quickly approaching!!!
Dustin, Mark, Nathan, Teresa and a team full of athletes were so excited to see Aditya achieve his goals. His commitment to the process is undeniably the reason for his success. We are very proud of all Aditya has accomplished and wished him the best of luck as he continues to accomplish more and more!
Inspirational Member of The Month, October News & Events
biking, Sprinting, swimming, triathlon
Simply refer a new member to the club, and if they join before November 30th, you will be entered into the drawing for a $500 gift certificate to REI!
Don’t forget, anytime one of your referrals joins the club, you will also automatically receive one month of free dues!
Take advantage of all the natural beauty the Pacific Northwest has to offer and make this your best Outdoor recreation season ever!
We will announce the winner on December 1st, 2016 on our Facebook page – so be sure to “Like Us!” to see if you’ve won! Good luck!
For more information and a complimentary pass to the club for your referral, please contact our Membership office.
October News & Events
promo, Referral, REI
Sunday, November 6th
Fall is here which means that daylight saving ends and we fall back one hour. Remember to set your clocks back before going to bed on Saturday, November 5th. We want to make sure we have everyone here for our Sunday morning classes.
November News & Events, October News & Events
Daylight Saving, Fall Back, Time
Race: Sunday, March 26, 2017
- Registration: Thursday, October 27th | 9:00 am
Registration for the 2017 Big Climb opens on Thursday, October 27th at 9:00 am sharp! The Big Climb is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Washington/Alaska Chapter’s largest fundraiser. The 2016 climb sold out in a few short hours and is predicted to do the same this year so you need to be ready to commit!
If you are interested in joining our team, please contact our Fitness Director, Jacob Luckey, at jluckey@sacdt.com to be placed on our interest list.
October News & Events
Big Climb, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Washington
Saturday, October 1st | 9:30am-10:30am
Join Seattle Athletic Club as we launch BODYPUMP 99 this Fall! Fitness clubs in over 70 countries around the world have implemented BODYPUMP into their Group Exercise line-up and have seen positive results. Les Mills, the creator of BODYPUMP™ has established the world’s best fitness formula for results and fun.
Here are the top 10 reasons to join class!
Reason #1
- BODYPUMP burns calories! This class offers a variety of athletic movements requiring energy from all three energy systems making your caloric expenditure peak during and after class.
Reason #2
- BODYPMP will increase your lean muscle mass by improving muscle strength and endurance.
Reason #3
- BODYPUMP tones muscles without bulking you up while still making you stronger.
Reason #4
- BODYPUMP will increase your metabolism and make positive changes to your body shape!
Reason #5
- BODYPUMP increases bone density making your bones stronger and decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
Reason #6
- BODYPUMP will improve your posture by increasing your core strength and core stability.
Reason #7
- BODYPUM is self-regulated. It allows each participant to progressively increase weight, range and intensity of movement to achieve relative results on a continuing basis.
Reason #8
- BODYPUMP is for everyone! Whether your goals are weight loss, muscle toning, general conditioning or if you are pregnant, this class can be adjusted to suit your needs.
Reason #9
- BODYPUMP allows you to maintain a high level of intensity for the entire duration of the class, which will help you develop and challenge your cardiovascular system.
Reason #10
- BODYPUMP brings the best weight room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls into the studio and combines them with great music and awesome instructors.
Whatever reason you choose to attend BODYPUMP, you will not be disappointed with the results! Join us for the launch or any of our regularly scheduled classes to make a positive change in your body today.
Please refer to our Group Exercise class schedule for a list of classes to fit your needs.
October News & Events
70 countries, BODYPUMP 99, group exercise
Friday, October 7th | 6:00pm
Friday night Power Cycle with Laura will return on Friday, Oct. 7th at 6:00pm.
Cycling, October News & Events
Power Cycle
Purpose: This extra advanced exercise strengthens and stretches the oblique abdominal muscles, stabilizes the shoulder and puts balance and control to the test!
Starting Position: Sit sideways with your weight on one side of the pelvis. Bend the legs and place the top foot over the bottom one. Place your hand, palm down, fingers facing away from you, underneath your shoulder. Your top hand rests on knee.
- Inhale; In one movement, lift pelvis away from floor, straightening the legs; raise the upper arm to shoulder height; fingers pointing to ceiling. The body is in a straight diagonal line; arms straight & aligned with each other.
- Exhale, lift pelvis high, reach free arm (top arm) down toward mat, rotating trunk, as the arm reaches under the body.
- Inhale, return to previous position with the body in a straight diagonal line.
- Exhale, now, take our arm and reach it back, allowing upper body to twist toward ceiling, resisting pelvic rotation.
- Inhale, return to your long diagonal position of step 3. Exhale lower body to starting position. Complete 3-5 times.
Visualization: Imagine you are suspended by a strong spring attached through your belt loops and up to the ceiling.
Head to Toe Checklist:
- Keep your hips still as you twist
- Keep scapula stable
- Maintain alignment of the head with the spine
- Don’t lean all your weight into your wrists or knees
Modifications:
- Begin going in one direction, then add on.

October News & Events, Pilates Ex of Month
Sox Hop Disco Party
to benefit SUS Educational Program as we are the official nonprofit partner of Seattle Athletic Clubs
November 5th | 8:00pm-late
- Ages 21 and over only!
- Come join us for dancing and fun
Light Buffet
- Beer, Wine & Non-alcoholic Beverages provided
Please note: No hard soled shoes or heeled shoes please!
- Tickets are: $30 – Includes 1 drink
*All donations to Seattle Urban Squash, including raffle tickets, are fully tax-deductible
Cost includes food, alcohol, and music! Tickets can be purchased online by going to www.seattlesquash.org, by email at info@seattlesquash.org or erica.helsel@seattlesquash.org or at either of the Seattle Athletic Clubs. ( I will have these tickets to you within the next few weeks).
Seattle Urban Squash is a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, WA that aims to combat inequality in education and narrow the achievement gap between poor and wealthy schools. Our donors and volunteers provide free academic tutoring, squash training, and service learning to a select group of youth from underserved communities in the Seattle area, with the goal of ensuring high school graduation and creating pathways to college. These programs help our students develop confidence, study habits, discipline, work ethic, athletic skills, fitness expertise, and positive social connections.
Our program also aims to reduce obesity in children and teens by promoting healthy eating and frequent exercise. We are proud to be part of the burgeoning sports-based youth development movement in the US, and are unique in that movement due to our dual focus on both academic development through tutoring and sports training.
Our Mission: “To offer a group of underprivileged students year-round intense squash instruction, academic tutoring and community service so that they recognize and fulfill their potential in life as students, athletes and citizens.”
Our Vision: “Impact the lifelong health and wellness of students through commitment, diligence, resilience, integrity and team-work.”
Our Goals: Aim for 100% high school graduation and create pathways to 4-year college.
Thanks to our donors:
In 2013-14 season…
- SUS achieved an increase from 12% to 63% of students who exceed grade level in reading;
- 78% of our students met or exceeded typical growth in math;
- We averaged 95% attendance over 250 hours of practice, 3 community service projects, and 4 field trips.
In our 2014-15 season…
- All 3 SUS 6th graders achieved above a 3.0 core GPA at the end of their first year of middle school;
- Increase from 1.4 and 2.2 in the first semester
In our 2015-16 season
- All SUS middle school participants raised their math average by 37%
- All SUS students achieved a 3.0 or higher in specific areas of struggle
- We averaged 98% attendance over 250 hours of practice, community service projects and 3 field trips.

October News & Events
disco, non-profit, party, SAC, sox, SUS
Seattle Urban Squash, a youth serving organization in the nonprofit sector since 2013, has announced the selection of Erica Helsel as its new executive director.
“We are very pleased to announce this appointment,” reports Spencer Jacobs CEO of Futures Career and Seattle Urban Squash Board Member. “Erica brings leadership and experience to the SUS programs and a deep sense of commitment to our organization. She has served nonprofits at all program, fundraising, executive and leadership levels, and has a breadth of perspective and experience.” Erica has spent approximately 17 years involved in various aspects of non-profit work including education, youth, teen pregnancy, child protection, senior citizens, homelessness, and healthcare. The bulk of her time has been spent in various communities around the world. She spent a portion of her work life in the United States Marine Corps as an active duty member, spouse, mother, and volunteer prior to joining the nonprofit sector. She and her husband have four children and two grandchildren.
“I look forward to continuing to serve and partner with the area’s youth and nonprofit organizations in this new capacity,” remarks Erica. “I am dedicated to this sector because it provides vital educational and human services as well as cultural enrichment to our community. Seattle Urban Squash plays a key role in supporting, developing and uplifting the youth of Seattle and contributing to their quality of education, life, and future.”<<
Seattle Urban Squash is looking for academic volunteers and squash coaching volunteers. Please contact Erica at erica.helsel@seattlesquash.org
October News & Events
nonprofit, Seattle Urban Squash, youth serving