Gym

2500 Georgia Avenue, NW

“Dear PoPville,

I would love to pose a question to the community in light of the discussion around the new ByndFit gym:

Maybe we can just crowdsource it from comments, but I will also just ask directly in case anyone has something like this just lying around: Does anyone have a spreadsheet or list of all of the pools suitable for lap swimming in the District, their hours, and the cost to use? I know that there are some DPR options, but I was hoping to unearth any hidden gems, e.g., the Fairmont Hotel pool in the West End (you can purchase a membership to swim there, but I don’t know the price). And I am talking about pools for lap swimming, specifically). Just want to see what we can put together. And yes, I sorely miss the YMCA on Rhode Island and 17th, with the huge pool open from 5AM to 11PM. Thank you all”

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve been a member of VIDA Fitness in Mount Vernon Triangle since first coming to DC for an internship in 2013. I never fooled myself about VIDA, its parent “lifestyle company,” or their target affluent customer base. It was expensive for me then. It’s expensive for me now. The monthly fee, just over $100, was always a bit of a splurge. Other than rent and student loan payments, my VIDA membership is my greatest monthly expense. I justified it to myself because (1) being physically active was and still is very important to me, (2) it was the most conveniently located gym to where I lived, and (3) the facility was high quality. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user
zach_cockrum

“Dear PoPville,

I am interested in getting more fit in the new year and know there are a ton of gyms with deals, but what I’m really interested in is doing it with a group. I’m not exactly sure how to find those. Not necessarily a bootcamp, but a group of people who are not so in shape being trained by the same person consistently every week in order to get stronger and healthier! Know any groups like that? They don’t even necessarily have to be associated with a gym, although it would be nice to be in that environment. Help appreciated!”