Photo by Ted Eytan

Thanks to G for passing on from VIDA gym:

“To our VIDA Members,

Our goal has always been to keep you safe and keep the clubs open.

This past week, VIDA Fitness and the DC Fitness Alliance (DCFA) petitioned Mayor Bowser to implement a “proof of vaccination” requirement to enter any fitness facility in the District of Columbia. We positioned this as a more effective alternative to the mandatory mask policy based on the following logic. (more…)


“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if folks might be willing to share any fitness studios they know of that are requiring proof of vaccination in order to take their workout classes. I know that’s something 305 Fitness is doing for indoor classes (in addition to complying w/ mask mandate). And it was also announced today that Equinox and Soul Cycle would require proof of vaccination starting in September.

Anywhere else in DC/the DMV area?”


“Dear PoPville,

Time to think about rejoining the gym post vaccine, specifically WSC. Wondered if people had updates on good / bad experiences. I know WSC often gets bad rap, but always worked well for me pre covid.”

Ed. Note: We recently spoke about other post covid gym options here.


“Dear PoPville,

I’m wondering if any fellow ex-WSC members are being bombarded with multiple weekly voicemail messages trying to “win back their loyalty”. I’ve asked the Columbia Heights WSC folks to remove my information from their system three times already, but the calls have still been relentless. They’re clearly automated and come from different numbers each time with no discernable pattern, so blocking hasn’t helped. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!”

And earlier this week from the DC Office of the Attorney General:

“Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced the parent company of Washington Sports Club will be required to pay a $100,000 fine to the District to resolve allegations that the company failed to adhere to the District’s COVID-19 health and safety orders, misinformed its patrons, and put the heath of District residents at risk. (more…)


From The Office of the Attorney General:

“Today, Attorney General Karl A. Racine filed a lawsuit against the parent company of Washington Sports Club for failing to comply with the District’s health and safety orders related to COVID-19. In the complaint, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) alleges that the Dupont Circle location of the Washington Sports Club failed to enforce the District’s mask mandate, set and enforce appropriate social distancing guidelines, and properly disinfect equipment. Through the lawsuit, OAG is seeking civil penalties and a court order requiring the gym to comply with applicable safety regulations. (more…)



Photo by Diane Krauthamer

From the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia:

“Attorney General Karl A. Racine today announced that Urban Athletic Club, a District gym chain, will be required to pay a penalty of $10,000 to resolve allegations it had misled consumers and failed to comply with emergency COVID-19 health and safety requirements. In a December 2020 lawsuit, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) alleged that Urban Athletic Club violated the District’s COVID-19 public health emergency orders and consumer protection laws by allowing customers to exercise at its Shaw location without masks, adequate distancing, or proper equipment sanitization. After OAG filed suit, the company entered into an interim agreement requiring it to begin enforcing the COVID-19 orders at its clubs. As part of the settlement, Urban Athletic Club must pay $10,000 to the District and continue complying with COVID-19 safety requirements and District law over the next year. (more…)



1625 P Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

We live about a block from Stead Park. There’s always a lot of activity going on there, especially as fitness classes have moved outside. We’ve never been bothered by the noise, but recently there have been almost nightly dance fitness classes. The music is extremely loud. Like so loud it it feels like we are blasting music in our house- and it’s almost every night. Plus, we are almost a block from the park on a high floor- we can’t be the only people affected by this. We’ve tried to find the name of the class so we can reach out and request that they follow the local noise ordinances, but haven’t been able to find anything. Can you help?


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