The Auburn Community & Event Center boasts an abundance of programs that benefit residents, including a low-cost fitness center that is becoming a favorite in the community as the Auburn Community Fitness Center — or Auburn Gym, as it’s often referred to — is a finalist in this year’s Best Of Auburn awards.

As part of the city’s Parks, Arts, & Recreation department, the Auburn Gym membership includes access to unlimited exercise classes, cardio machines, conditioning equipment and unlimited access to the full virtual fitness class library.

“It’s amazing, I am delighted with how many exercise classes that the community center offers. The variety, the different levels, it’s fun, they make it fun,” said Debbie Benegeult, 72, AKA D2 of the Debbie Crew. Benegeult has been a regular at the gym since 2019. “I did two classes this morning. It’s great because you meet people, make friends, go get coffee and you actually look forward to exercising.”

Classes on the current daily schedule (except Sunday) range from 8 a.m. to after 7 p.m. and include Cardio Jam, Silver Sneakers, Cardio Kickbox, Zumba, Barre, Gentle Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, Low Impact Circuit, Cardio HIIT & Stability and many more.

Monthly unlimited memberships at the gym are $35 a month for adults and $30 a month for teens and seniors (50 years and older are considered senior at the gym). Daily drop-ins are $6 for adults and $5 for teens and seniors.

Another Auburn Gym member is Stephani Hedrick, 71, has been a regular for eight years and she recommends the gym for the low price and for the people. “What I really like about the gym is the community that I’m a part of every day,” she said in an email.

“Participants look forward to seeing each other, laughing together and encouraging one another. We have learned about each others lives and interests, and even meet up for coffee, walks, hikes and lunch together. We have shared losses and difficulties. We have signed get-well cards, taken meals to each other, given needed rides, help pack for a move and had good-bye parties. Of course, such involvement isn’t for everyone – but everyone is included as much as they choose to be. The Auburn Gym is a place where you can find fitness AND friendship, if that is what you are looking for!”

Classes are popular with seniors and with parents, who get the chance to use the center’s drop-in childcare center. “We’re trying to build a community of support for moms and parents, it’s a great place for moms to meet other moms,” said Kjerstin Lange, the city’s Recreation Coordinator.

The childcare center is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Monday to Thursday from 4:15 to 8 p.m. and staff members who have all gone through a background check. Childcare options at the center allow for a two-hour maximum session per visit for kids age six months to 10 years at a cost of $4 per drop-in visit, which requires parents to also remain on-site. When unlimited childcare is added to a fitness membership, it is only $15 per child per month.

The center also offers a separate drop-off program called Kids Playtime where parents who need to “run errands or catch up with a friend” can leave their kids for up to two hours at the childcare center for $10 per visit. This option is only available for kids ages two to 10 and who are potty trained.

Lange says that the relationships made at the Auburn Gym are what keeps people coming back each day and each week. “We work hard to build a community and help people make healthy life changes and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” Lange said.

For more information on the Auburn Gym and fitness classes, visit auburnwa.gov/fitness. The gym is located at the Auburn Community & Event Center in Les Gove Park at 910 9th Street Southeast in Auburn.

A stretching cool down. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Kjerstin Lange, is the city’s Recreation Coordinator and has been working in the Auburn Parks department for 20 years. Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.