By Robin Boland, RVP News Editor

It’s that time again. Time to reflect on what’s past and visualize our goals for the coming year, hopefully taking steps to achieve them. One common goal is to introduce fitness into our regular routine.

It’s been shown that regular exercise combats depression and fatigue in addition to increasing our longevity.

Our neighborhood offers a wide variety of ways to help you and your family achieve these goals, no matter your age or fitness level.

Rainier Health and Fitness offers Senior’s fitness classes daily throughout the week as well as yoga (gentle as well as vigorous), cycling and ladies night every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. One benefit of membership is childcare for kids up to age 10 allowing busy parents the opportunity to try out new offerings such as a cycle and core class combining the benefits of cycling with core strengthening exercises.

Another fitness option for all ages is T’ai Chi, a Chinese martial art style beneficial for both mind and body. The Mt. Baker Clubhouse is offering T’ai Chi classes starting Wed., Jan. 9 (Wednesdays from 6 to 7 pm). The instructor, Connie Coffman, has practiced T’ai Chi for nearly 40 years and will be leading the class in practice of the Yang style of T’ai Chi and meditation. Fee is $150 for 10 classes with an introductory trial class for $10 (sliding scale available if needed). For Registration/Information contact Connie at taichiconnie@gmail.com or 206-322-7527.

Evergreen Kung Fu also provides a range of fitness options with kid’s Kung Fu and adult self-defense being offered twice a week. For a slower paced but equally beneficial workout there are Qi Gong (Chinese yoga) classes twice weekly as well.

A newly opened gym on the corner of Rainier & Genesee, Crossfit RE offers Crossfit classes and training for all skill levels. Coach Darrick Bourgeois is hoping to breathe some new life into the area with beginner classes, personal training sessions and offerings throughout the day for more experienced Crossfit enthusiasts.

In Hillman City the co-founders/instructors of Rocket Crossfit, Brady Collins and Jeremiah Derksen, have created introductory class options for beginners (Blast Off sessions) as well as challenging classes for crossfit devotees (Full On sessions). In a fun, encouraging environment Brady and Jeremiah start new clients off with a month long series of introductory crossfit classes (expectation is that you attend three classes per week for four weeks). Once you’ve completed the Blast Off you’re ready to go Full On and challenge yourself with a constantly changing array of workouts. Full On enrollment includes an unlimited amount of classes per month and with multiple sessions offered daily the challenge is in the workout, not in finding a class to fit your schedule. The next Blast Off session starts Thur., Jan. 3.

Another fairly recent addition to the neighborhood is the Seattle Gymnastics Academy in Columbia City. If you have fitness goals for your kids this would be a fun place to start. Classes are broken out by age range, skill level and gender with summer gymnastics camps, an indoor playground for rainy days and a parent’s night out on the first and third Friday of every month from 6 to 10 pm. Parent’s night out includes pizza, games and a movie along with gymnastics to work up an appetite. Kids ages 5-12 are welcome, drop off ends at 7 pm.

More family friendly fitness options can be found at the Rainier Community Center where affordable (and some free) classes are offered for all ages (starting at six months). The community center has yoga, martial arts, dance, aerobics and much more every day of the week. The winter schedule can be found here.

Columbia City Fitness Center is a family owned and operated wellness center that has provided award-winning service for health and advocacy in the Greater Seattle Area for nearly a decade. Photo/Tia White, RVP Photo Editor