Columbia Athletic Clubs – Pine Lake has been a key player in promoting health and wellness in the Sammamish Plateau community since 1995. The impressive 62,000 square foot facility has become an integral part of residents’ lives, offering extensive fitness solutions and lifestyle resources that cater to members of all ages and fitness levels. As the community has transformed over the past three decades, Pine Lake has adapted to meet changing needs while maintaining its dedication to excellence in health services.
The positive reception from Sammamish Plateau residents reflects the club’s success in fulfilling its primary mission: becoming the best provider of health and lifestyle resources in the community.
With state-of-the-art equipment, diverse programming, and an attentive staff, Pine Lake has created more than just a gym—it’s developed a welcoming place where members can pursue their wellness goals while connecting with neighbors and friends. The full-service athletic facility seamlessly combines fitness, recreation, and community building under one expansive roof.
Club Services
At the core of Columbia Athletic Clubs – Pine Lake is its exceptional Club Services department, which serves as the welcoming face of the facility. The front desk team not only handles check-ins and membership inquiries but also provides personalized assistance to ensure every member’s experience is seamless.
“We pride ourselves on knowing our members by name and understanding their individual needs,” says Sarah Johnson, Club Services Manager. “From helping a new member navigate the facility to addressing concerns from our long-time members, our team is committed to creating a positive atmosphere from the moment someone walks through our doors.”
Beyond day-to-day operations, the Club Services department coordinates special events, community outreach initiatives, and member appreciation activities that strengthen the club’s connection to the Sammamish Plateau community. They manage the club’s amenities, including well-appointed locker rooms with complimentary towel service, private shower facilities, and spacious relaxation areas.
The department also oversees the club’s café, which offers nutritious post-workout refreshments and serves as a social center where members can connect. “Our goal is to make Pine Lake feel like a second home for our members,” Johnson adds, “a place where wellness and community naturally merge.”
Tennis
The Tennis department at Columbia Athletic Clubs – Pine Lake features exceptional facilities that cater to players of all skill levels. With multiple well-maintained courts and professional lighting, members enjoy year-round access to one of the area’s premier tennis environments.
The program is led by USPTA-certified professionals who bring decades of combined experience to their instruction. Director of Tennis Michael Chen explains, “We’ve developed a tennis program that supports players at every stage of development—from youngsters holding a racquet for the first time to competitive league players looking to refine specific aspects of their game.”
Beyond lessons and clinics, the Tennis department organizes regular social events, tournaments, and league play that foster a lively tennis community within the club. The popular “Tennis & Tapas” evenings and seasonal round-robin tournaments have become signature events that members eagerly anticipate.
“What makes our tennis program special is the camaraderie that develops on and off the court,” says Chen. Adult and junior players alike find that the supportive environment enhances their enjoyment of the sport while helping them improve technically. Many members report that tennis has become not just a fitness activity but a significant social connection point in their lives.
Youth Programs
Columbia Athletic Clubs – Pine Lake has developed impactful Youth Programs that address the developmental needs of children from toddlers to teens. The dedicated youth spaces provide safe, engaging environments where young members can participate in age-appropriate fitness activities under the guidance of specially trained staff.
The popular Kids’ Club offers supervised care with creative play opportunities, allowing parents to enjoy their workouts knowing their children are well cared for. Youth Program Director Emily Rodriguez notes, “We focus on making fitness fun and accessible for kids. When children associate physical activity with enjoyment rather than obligation, we’re helping establish healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”
The youth offerings extend beyond basic childcare to include structured programming like dance classes, sports fundamentals, swimming lessons, and seasonal camps. During school breaks, the club’s camps become a sought-after option for families seeking active and enriching experiences for their children. The teen-specific programs deserve special mention, as they provide crucial fitness opportunities during an age when many young people drift away from regular physical activity.
“We’ve seen remarkable transformations in some of our teen members,” Rodriguez explains. “They come in initially because their parents are members, but they stay and become engaged because we’ve created programs that speak to their interests and give them a sense of community and belonging.”
Aquatics
The Aquatics department at Columbia Athletic Clubs – Pine Lake features an impressive swimming facility that serves as a cornerstone of the club’s offerings. The meticulously maintained pool accommodates lap swimmers, water fitness enthusiasts, and recreational swimmers in a comfortable, controlled environment year-round.
Temperature-regulated and chemical-balanced to exacting standards, the pool provides an ideal setting for aquatic exercise, known for its joint-friendly, full-body workout benefits. Aquatics Director Jason Martinez emphasizes, “Water-based exercise is truly accessible to everyone—from our competitive swimmers to seniors managing arthritis and those rehabilitating injuries.”
The comprehensive aquatics programming includes swimming lessons for all ages and abilities, specialized water fitness classes like Aqua Zumba and Deep Water Running, and dedicated lap swimming times. The department also offers therapeutic aquatics sessions in partnership with local physical therapists, providing members recovering from injuries with a supportive environment for rehabilitation.
“What makes our aquatics program unique is our attention to individual needs,” Martinez shares. “Our instructors are trained to modify exercises and techniques for different fitness levels and physical conditions.” Members frequently report that the pool area has become their favorite part of the club, citing the supportive community that has developed among regular participants in aquatic programs.
Fitness
The Fitness department at Columbia Athletic Clubs – Pine Lake stands as the facility’s core offering, featuring expansive areas equipped with state-of-the-art cardio machines, comprehensive strength training equipment, and functional training zones. The thoughtful layout creates distinct workout environments to accommodate different training styles and preferences, from traditional circuit training to the latest in high-intensity interval workouts.
Fitness Director Mark Thompson highlights the department’s commitment to staying current: “We evaluate and upgrade our equipment regularly, ensuring members have access to the most effective, safe, and user-friendly fitness tools available. From our Technogym cardio line with integrated entertainment to our expansive free weight area, we’ve created spaces where everyone can find their fitness home.”
Personal training is another cornerstone of the Fitness department, with a team of certified professionals offering customized guidance to members pursuing specific goals. Each trainer brings specialized expertise in areas like weight management, sports performance, senior fitness, or pre-/post-natal exercise. The department also conducts regular fitness assessments, workshops, and small group training sessions that help members optimize their workout routines.
Thompson notes the transformative impact of these personalized services: “Our trainers do more than count reps—they build relationships that support lasting lifestyle changes. Several of our members have achieved remarkable health transformations, from significant weight loss to completely eliminating the need for certain medications, all through consistent work with our training team.”
Group Exercise
The energetic Group Exercise department at Columbia Athletic Clubs – Pine Lake offers an impressive schedule of over 100 weekly classes, providing members with structured, motivating workout experiences led by dedicated instructors. The diverse programming spans traditional formats like yoga, cycling, and strength conditioning alongside trending workouts such as HIIT, barre, and dance fitness.
Classes are strategically scheduled throughout the day, from early morning sessions that energize members before work to evening options that help participants decompress after busy days. Group Exercise Director Lisa Chen explains, “Our philosophy centers on inclusivity—offering modifications that make every class accessible regardless of fitness level, while still challenging our most athletic members.”
The specially designed studios enhance the group exercise experience with premium sound systems, sprung floors that reduce impact, and climate controls optimized for different workout intensities. Beyond the physical benefits, members consistently cite the social connections formed in group classes as a key factor in their exercise adherence. “The community aspect of our classes creates accountability and motivation that’s difficult to maintain when exercising alone,” shares Chen.
“We’ve seen incredible friendships develop among regular class participants, and these relationships often extend beyond the club walls.” The department continually refreshes its offerings based on member feedback and fitness trends, ensuring the schedule remains relevant and engaging for the diverse Sammamish Plateau community that calls Columbia Athletic Clubs – Pine Lake their fitness home.
