Olympic Athletic Club proudly serves residents of Ballard and surrounding areas in a casual, yet highly professional atmosphere. Our new neon sign highlights our main entrance. Created by world famous neon artist Roger Legerano, the diver and clock make us an easy place to find. The old-world charm of Ballard is evident in the exterior of Olympic Athletic Club. The former hotel, built in the 1890's, now provides a state of the art facility, which is both friendly and affordable. Olympic Athletic Club offers the latest in cardiovascular and weight training equipment, along with a variety of swimming and court sports all available to club members 24 hours a day.

Olympic Athletic Club first opened its doors in 1979 and since that time we have grown to be one of the premier health clubs in Seattle. As we have grown and developed over the years, we have established an identity that is very definable. Our club is a very comfortable place where members can be themselves. We have always strove to keep a clean and well-maintained atmosphere with a staff that is friendly and accommodating. At OAC, it is not about who you are, how you dress, or what you look like. It is about the one thing that actually matters the most, your health. People of all ages come to the club to exercise and improve their health.

Building History

Olympic Athletic Club occupies a classic 1890’s brick building in historic downtown Ballard. Charm of original rooms and fixtures remain in the modern and comfortable setting.

The building itself has had a colorful history and many incarnations. From its days as a hotel with card room and speakeasy, the first Post Office in Ballard, the Dexter Horton Bank, the original Owl Tavern and later, an Elks club, which added a ballroom to the structure. Its walls have a million stories it could tell and these photos offer just a brief glimpse of its history.

Since 1979, the club’s owners Jim and Debera Riggle have worked to provide a state of the art facility, which is both friendly and affordable. Olympic Athletic Club offers the latest in cardiovascular and weight training equipment, along with a variety of swimming and court sports all available to club members 24 hours a day.

The most unique aspect of the club when it opened was having all facilities under one roof. This remains our goal, even today. Full service and variety equals success and fitness as a lifestyle.