Thanks to a reader for sending word. Crossfit gyms seem to popping up all over the place. Crossfit Metro Center will be opening early 2012.
Gym
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“Dear PoP,
Last week, on the evening of Wednesday, January 20th, a thief broke into three locked lockers in the men’s locker room at the Columbia Heights Washington Sports Club (WSC) location sometime around 7:30. As you know, it was a PoP reader who alerted us to the same type of theft in July. I had my wallet and suit pants stolen and I no longer assume that anything I leave in a locked locker at that location is safe. It looked like a bolt cutter or crowbar was used to pry my lock off.
To add insult to injury, the entire situation was mishandled by staff from the very beginning. The acting manager on duty that night said he would file a police report on behalf of the victims. That turned out not to be true. Initially my calls were not returned and it was only when I began to complain about how poorly I was being treated as a customer that I had my concerns addressed. I was initially offered three free personal training sessions for my trouble, which I found insulting given that the value of my stolen goods was at least $520, and that I had a lock on my locker. They then offered me one free month of membership and reminded me that they are not liable for damaged or stolen property under any circumstances. Whoops, I guess I should have read the fine print when I signed the membership contract.
Besides informing the gym that I am canceling my membership, there is nothing more I can do in this situation. I did, however, want to mention this incident so all your readers are aware that security is still poor at the WSC Columbia Heights location. I’ve heard from two separate sources that there are 8,000 members at this particular gym. I guess with that much revenue pouring in the loss of one member is just minor collateral damage in the effort to get more and more members without adequately protecting existing members. I’ve gone back a number of times since the theft and see no change in security procedures. For example, many times there is no attendant in the locker room.
It’s disappointing that the management of the club is so poor because the location is convenient, but I cannot in good conscience continue placing my trust in WSC to improve security or cap their membership to better manage their club. I just wish I could have had the chance to stop this criminal like the reader who confronted the thief back in July. From now on, I will go to the gym closer to my workplace and exercise there.”
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There was some discussion last week about the construction going on at 13th and U Streets, NW. I have confirmed one rumor with Kim Weeks the founder of Boundless Yoga. She writes:
“We plan to move in during the summer, and we’re expanding from our spot on the 1500 block of U Street to 2500 SF there at 13th/U, with two bright, sunny studios plus a space for Yoga Therapy and private yoga. We’ll be offering public yoga, private yoga, yoga training, Yoga Therapy, and energy healing!”
Now we just have to wait to see who takes over the first floor.
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Consider the following purely scuttlebutt, not sure if others have heard the same, but I thought it was worth sharing. I was at an event where I heard that Results, located at 1612 U St NW, will be moving in 2011. The person who knew the details said that Results would be replaced by a very high-end gym possibly owned by a Salon. I’m just curious if anyone else has heard this rumor?
For a while this Results was going to move into the new View 14 building at 14th and Florida but that is no longer in the works.
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Hmm, I’m not sure but I know some friends were pissed when they closed the pool. Looks like a ton of work is going on. Does anyone know if it’ll become another sports club or something else?
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Ed. Note: I also noticed that the recently closed gym at 2007 18th Street has moved Capitol Combat Sports to HARD Training Club. This is the building that had a liquor application for a restaurant called Jack Rose, not sure what the status of the restaurant is…
“Hello to All out there,
We’d just like to introduce ourselves- we’ve been alerted to this thread and wanted to address any questions, perceptions, speculations you may have. As of September 1, we’re now open and very happy to be in the neighborhood. If any of you have taken a peek inside, we CAN confirm that- YES, we are a small and no frills facility; and honestly, the name counts for a lot in regards to our setup. We actually don’t mind the comments people make, we DO know the name catches attention and illicits many responses- that wasn’t an oversight, though behind it all we’d like to clarify that the name really stands for a philosophy. Strip away all the amenities (distractions) and the focus is truly on Training; however Hard you want to go.
Our facility IS Spartan, it’s meant to be. To us it’s stripped down to the basics, you still have everything you need for a full workout. We have equipment for strength training; no machinery or bells and whistles but it IS high grade steel, incredibly sturdy, genuine Ludlow pieces that can take whatever you want to dish it: Hacksquat/Leg Press, Wallsquat, Power Rack, Lat Pull, Cable Cross, Preacher Curl, Dip Station, Roman Chair, Calf Raise, and more; as well as free weights: benches, tons of plates, and Dumb Bells from 5lbs to 125lbs; and throw in weighted bars, cross T weights, boxing/ Thai Pads, Heavy Bag, and so on for good measure.
But what we’re most intent on is this being the kind of place where you can swing a heavy rope around your head like a helicopter, do incline situps while throwing sand bags in the air, bounce medicine balls high off the walls, heave a sledgehammer at tractor tires like chopping wood, do balanced pushups on the floor with your feet in Olympic Rings- or do them upside down suspended on the ceiling from our monkey bars, jump plyometric boxes, climb a rope, flip tires down an alleyway all without feeling like a spectacle or raising an eyebrow. Make it fun to break a sweat; to push, influence, and inspire each other; it’s just meant to be a place you can feel free to train however you want to in a laid back and easy going atmosphere.
Being small and low key, there are no locker rooms but there are 2 bathrooms, 1 shower (Bring Your Own Stuff), and lockers with additional storage cubbies downstairs. HARD Training Club is a bit rough around the edges but that’s how we like it; and if you think you’re ok with that- please stop by.
HARD is open to all, in these beginning days we cover a broad span of clientele and we’re looking forward to continue growing that way. HARD doesn’t hire trainers because in this facility everybody’s a member; BUT trainers are welcome- and we have a great and beneficial fee structure to offer. You’re not going to find rates like this anywhere; come by to talk to us about it.
If you read about us on this link just mention that to us and we can give you complementary passes to really give us a try because we know the proof is in the doing.
HARD TRAINING CLUB
Educating and Empowering our Members by challenging entrenched training attitudes and stereotypes in a welcoming, “No-Frills” fitness facility.
1726 Kalorama Rd NW (btwn 17th & Ontario)
www.hardtrainingclub.com; [email protected]”
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“Dear PoP,
I have noticed that you’ve got a couple of yoga studio sponsors and wondered if reader reviews of local yoga studios might be a good topic for discussion. I am a beginner who has never taken a class but I’d like to get into some yoga and pilates. I don’t know my ashtanga from my bikram. Honestly I am a working mom who likes to get out of town on weekends so it’s been really hard to find the time.
Also, I once found online a yoga studio that was offering a parent-toddler yoga class that sounded like fun but I now can’t remember/find the listing. If it rings any bells let me know!”
I’ll open up this up to you guys. I know yoga studios have exploded all over the city so there has to be one with a parent-toddler class. Anyone know? What’s your favorite in the city?
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The space that formerly housed Eco Green Living is becoming a gym. But not any ordinary gym – it’s becoming a CrossFit. For those not familiar with CrossFit you can sign up for a 3 session workshop and read more about it on their Web site. The owner of this space, which opens today, John Main, said that basically CrossFit is “constantly varied, functional movement, performed at a high intensity”. All I know is that my Uncle, in his 60s, does CrossFit and can easily kick my ass. Though I guess before he did CrossFit he could still kick my ass… Anyway, it’s great to see Church Street filling its empty storefronts particularly with a great spot like this.
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Hard Training Club will be coming to 1726 Kalorama Road, NW. It looks like it might be a pretty small space for a gym but maybe it’s more about classes than a gym. Anyone familiar with this group? I think we may have mentioned this before in talking about the Washington Sports Club but what is the average monthly price for a gym membership?
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Photo from The National Harbor.
From an email:
“Mid City Yoga, my guerrilla yoga company, is hosting a fun, summer outdoor yoga class every sunny (read: not rainy) Tuesday evening at 7pm in Thomas Circle. The 75 minute class will be an open-level flow, aimed at challenging experienced yogis and giving some experience to novices, all while enjoying the gorgeousness that is a DC Summer. I’ll be teaching, so come ready for a little bit of fun, a little bit of sweat, and some darn good company. The whole thing is pay what you can, so don’t stress– come play.
Thomas Circle is located on 14th Street NW, right at M Street and Mass Ave. The big horse statue is hard to miss. I’ll be the tall blonde guy with a yoga mat. 7pm.”