Bassline Fitness is settling into its first month of business on Central Way in downtown Kirkland and so far, seems to be a great fit.
The innovative fitness studio is the latest creation of workout guru Dave Fox and his wife, Angela, a Seattle native and former professional model.
Having owned his own gyms since 1995, Fox is no novice in the fitness game. He has created and operated gyms from coast to coast in the last 18 years: from fitness facilities in San Francisco and Portland to yoga studios in Charleston, S.C.
A decision to move closer to extended family has brought the couple and their three children to greater Seattle.
Fox’s wife has enjoyed a long professional modeling career closely tied with fitness. She has graced the cover of Health magazine and has traveled around the world for commercial work. She is a certified Spinning and Barre instructor and teaches the Lean 425 class at the studio.
In a city that’s arguably more health-conscious than most, Bassline’s classes have really seemed to resonate with Kirkland clients since its opening in December. The group synergy that builds within the gym’s high-tech studio rooms creates a user experience that is both music-driven and appears to be fun.
“It’s not like you’re just clogging along on the treadmill for an hour listening to your own headphones,” Kirkland resident and new Bassline Fitness member Lisa Fakes said.
“The videos keep you interested,” added her husband, Tom Fakes, referring to the music videos projected on two 180-inch screens at the front of the main studio’s wall.
Fox’s biggest challenge so far has been “getting people to understand what we’re doing” because it is unique.
Bassline fills 4,200 square feet and is comprised of two studio rooms, as well as a child-care facility for class members.
The larger studio houses Fox’s signature MashUp group exercise class, which allows gym-goers to alternate between 40 spinning bikes, 12 non-motorized treadmills and 10 Krankcycles — all while three subwoofers and impressive visual enticements keep the class operating on the same beat and rhythm.
The adjacent studio is home to Lean 425, a class that focuses on weight training and resistance intervals for those looking to tone up while using a variety of novel workout equipment.
Fox preaches time efficiency at his studio. Both classes are precisely one hour long—a punctual alternative to an often more lackadaisical approach taken at traditional gyms.
The conciseness of the workouts doesn’t make them any less sweat-inducing, however.
“My classes are going to be a challenge,” Fox said, “and that’s the kind of clientele that I want to attract. I want someone who wants to come to me and get better, and get stronger, and kind of gets swept up in it. I push and I want them to try just a little harder.”
The layout of both MashUp and Lean 425 classes allows gym-goers of all fitness levels to push themselves—whether that’s by simply breaking a sweat or by spinning at a higher resistance level than ever before.
Bassline has a strong social media relationship with its clients, something Fox said seems to be an especially important asset here in Seattle.
Members of the gym are encouraged to request songs and music videos via Bassline’s Facebook page, which are then incorporated into upcoming classes.
The gym, at 126 Central Way, is open six days a week—Monday through Saturday. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Members as well as first-time clients are encouraged to reserve class spaces online in advance through the gym’s website at basslinefitness.com.
