Fitness Fair, Open House Set for Saturday at Rolling Hills

Have you ever wanted to check out Rolling Hills Club nestled against the hills near Mount Burdell in the San Marin area of Novato? Or maybe you went there in the past and are curious to experience an update. Or perhaps you're a member and have been waiting for a chance to invite your friends and neighbors.

Well, this Saturday is your chance because RHC is hosting a Fitness Fair and Open House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the entire community. That's right: The doors are opened wide to the public.

(Full disclosure alert: This preview is an inside job; I've taught yoga at Rolling Hills Club for more than two years and will be teaching a special partner yoga class as part of the events on Saturday. That makes me a real whistleblower.)

“I know the world spins at a really fast rate, but if you could possibly spend an hour or two with us on Saturday you’d really have a relaxing and fun time.” So says Jillian Shay, the club's director of fitness. This Buffalo, N.Y. transplant was hired at Rolling Hills to teach an exercise class two days after she moved to Novato 22 years ago. She’s been there ever since ever since.  

A sunny blonde with a cajoling sense of humor, Jillian is also a personal trainer and exercise instructor at the club. Her Zumba (Latin fitness dance) classes are packed and sweaty. Come join her and a great group of "hips don't lie" women — and men — at 9 a.m. Saturday.

If that's too early for you, there are six group exercise classes as well as tennis classes for the kids and pool games for the whole family during the morning of the fair. Besides the two pools and two hot tubs to enjoy, there will be a slip ‘n slide, a jumpy house, arts, crafts and face-painting. 

“We do our best to make everyone feel at home,” Jillian says. “... It really is a place where fitness meets family and it’s a great community."

More than a dozen health and fitness vendors such as Novato's own 9 Corners will be on hand, and the café will be open. Starting at 11:30 a.m., the Love 2 Dance Allstars will perform out by the pool. You’ll also have the opportunity to have your body fat percentage tested via the latest method, Hydrostatic, or “underwater weighing.” It’s also simply called, “Get Tanked” and that is the only activity of the day with a fee ($49). 

Another fun class you can try out is one of the newer workouts spreading across the nation called Flirty Girl. Longtime Novato resident Debbie Gleeson has decades of instructor experience under her (trim) belt but only became “flirtified” last year after discovering it at an industry convention.

“I currently am the only Flirty Girl instructor in the Northern Bay Area. I know that won't be the case for long though,” she says.

Gleeson describes Flirty Girl Fitness as strong, fabulous nonstop cardio-dance moves that are easy to follow and that result in a super fun, effective way to condition the entire body, inside and out. 

“For a woman in my 40s now, I feel better then ever,” she reports. “This class is for every age. I know achieving fitness results can be harder as we get older, for woman especially. This class has helped me greatly.” Debbie also teaches cycling classes at Rolling Hills and elsewhere.

Partner yoga is a specialty class offered only at the Fitness Fair taught by yours truly with help from "the jacket man," otherwise known as my husband, Rich. It might sound a little intimidating but this is a level-one class and there are plenty of modifications offered. Some yoga experience is helpful but not necessary. Come with a partner or pair up with someone of similar size when you get here by 10:30 a.m. sharp.

Check the schedule for the full list of adult and kids’ classes by clicking here.