The Dream Gym: Apex Fitness NW

How do you describe a place that has become your home away from home? Apex Fitness NW is a circuit training gym that serendipitously found us and has become a regular routine in our lives. The story of how it came to be a part of our lives is somewhat silly, but the community and comradely of the people is what keeps us coming back.

Story time!

In 2024, I got into a play where I was the lead and on-stage for all 2.5 hours with dialogue. For me as an actor, the best way to memorize is to practice — A lot. Chef was right there with me, learning the lines and after rehearsals we would sit down and run the entire script front to back which even at the height of being memorized took me an hour and half to spit out sitting still.

As a thank you present, I asked what Chef wanted and he told me he really wanted a gym membership.

So! The hunt began! 

Now, Bellingham has no shortage of amazing trainers, gyms, running groups, hiking groups, and exercise options for all levels. We contemplated a “standard” gym with equipment. But as Western Washington University alumni we’ve always had access to a gym with equipment were we could go solo, make up our own workouts and so on... Yet it never became a habit. Now, we both loved playing soccer and found great joy in group fitness classes we’d randomly sign up to do.

So when a friend of ours recommended Apex Fitness we gave it a look!

A High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) gym. Hour-long, trainer led classes that are tailor-made by the trainers. Each workout is different and you can feel the thought that was poured into it, from the pacing to the playlist — I’m sure I don’t even know half of what goes into the production of a single class!

View this profile on Instagram

Apexfitness_nw (@apexfitness_nw) • Instagram photos and videos

Chef started going and for the first few weeks came back raggy but so happy. Once a week became twice a week and now he goes every chance he gets. I’m really impressed by how many classes Apex offers at different times of day. Plus, the different membership options that scale up with your desires.

Now, I have to share one of the coolest things that we got to witness. Chef is a big fan of the Apex classes, but I wasn’t convinced. I’m not a big fan of heavy-breathing. Why? Well, I feel like my lungs tend to give out before my muscles are ready to be done. Also, I don’t like how HIIT workouts feel. I know, I know, I should do more cardio but… Meh.

One day, Chef tells me that Apex has a new class they’ve been working on for a while and I should try it. I sent him in undercover to try it out. He returned and reported I would love it.

An Apex Class for me!

So, the following weekend I joined Chef for Apex’s Stability Sculpt class. Holy cow! Was it awesome. It worked out muscles I didn’t know existed, made me VERY sore the next day, but it was the good sore. What I love about the Stability classes is that the movements are all about that — Stability.

In my family, everyone has their hips and knees replaced, so I am very aware of that possibility in my future and want to work to keep that from becoming a reality to soon. I know I have weaker points in my body and these classes build you up with each movement. It’s not a mad-dash. But don’t be fooled, you’ll be worked out!

The classes are set up in a way that I can choose to make it harder or modify it for myself. No trainer is hovering over you aggressively, they are truly there to support and be advocates for your journey. So, when I say I am in control, I really am, I choose my own weights, I can drop the weights if it is to much, I can do more reps, slow reps, less reps.

Everyone is in there doing their best and it’s not a competition. I also kind of love that in Stability, you don’t have to wear shoes. Chef wears his socks. You can wear your shoes, but I find it so much more interesting to not wear shoes. Plus, they have that fun fake-gym grass which is actually quite soft and they clean it regularly which tickled me. Cleaning grass.

The routine began! We both started going in the summer of 2025. At the same time, the Apex Fitness Northwest building was going under construction to renovate a new space for the Stability class which had been a work-in-progress for two years prior. We got to watch the dedication and focus of the leadership at the gym, Danielle and Graham, the owners meticulously bring to life their vision of this expansion.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Temple Fitness Nw (@templefitness_nw)

Fast forward a few months, they barely closed the building or had to pause regular classes and Temple Fitness NW came to be! A whole part of the Apex story and building dedicated to this focus on stability and a good workout! The new space is stunning and well thought-out to accommodate the style of workouts Stability Sculpt cultivated. 

---

Let me outline a bit more of what the process looks like as someone going to the gym for the first time:

1. Sign up Online

• Go to Apex’s website and choose the workout you want to try, they have great prices for drop-ins and first time goers. Need to hit the gym while you’re visiting Bellingham? Apex totally has you covered there too!

2. Parking

• It’s free parking on the street around the gym. You might have to walk a bit but that walk feels really nice after a good workout.

3. Walk in!

• Depending on which class you picked you’ll either go into the Temple Space which is on the left when you enter or the main space which you just keep walking forward and can’t miss.

4. Find the Trainer

• Or literally anyone, seriously, the trainers and the workout attendees (Apexers?) are all so kind, if you’re ever confused just ask, someone will be more than willing to support you on your first day. That said, the trainers usually are greeting people and are setting up the room so they are easy to spot. The trainer will let you know if you need any additional weights or equipment to snag before you start.

5. Center Yourself and Get Ready

• Stretch, go to the bathroom, do what you gotta do, to feel ready!

6. The Workout begins!

• I love how the trainers demonstrate the exercises before you do them. They are all very talented and hard working and keep an eye on you to make sure you’re safely doing the form. Do your best! That hour of working out is for you to focus on yourself and just be present and the trainers are incredible guides instructing you through each hour, round, and movement.

View this profile on Instagram

Temple Fitness Nw (@templefitness_nw) • Instagram photos and videos

Really, the cool part about Apex is all you need to do is sign up and bring yourself and some water —- They do have a water fountain so don’t panic if you forgot yours. Apparently there was an era where they didn’t have a water fountain? By-gone days!

What has stuck out to me about Apex specifically is how seamless an experience it is to try it. I didn’t have to commit to something huge to make it affordable or bend over backwards to figure out what they wanted from me. I made an account on their portal, signed up, I probably signed a waiver and then I was in!

Apex Fitness NW, a gym that challenges and celebrates you!

Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I cannot state how the folks at this gym are so welcoming and kind and make you want to work hard and bring your best because they are cheering you on. I’ll admit, sometimes I feel embarrassed that I didn’t do better at a workout and in reality, it’s just me who noticed. Sometimes the most important thing is to show up at all for yourself, your body, your mind. Apex Fitness NW is an excellent gym, a beautiful business, and a community that I am so thankful we stumbled into and are always running back too.