Nazlymov Fencing moving into new Bethesda space (Photos)

En garde! Nazlymov Fencing is moving into its new home at 7747 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. That building has previously had the honor of housing the legendary Jewelry Exchange of Bethesda. The interior is being set up for training and competitive duels. Lockers have been installed, and awards and trophies are already on display. Will yours be the next to join them? A grand opening has been scheduled for March 31, 2023. A few classes here, and you, too, can say, "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya..."

Forme Life opens kiosk at Montgomery Mall

Gyms have been hit hard by the events of the last year, and the success of Peloton in filling that vacuum with a home alternative is attracting new companies to the fitness marketplace. A new entry in late 2020 was Forme Life, a full-length mirror that turns into a "life-size" fitness coach when you activate the screen. Now you can see Forme Life up-close and personal with their new kiosk at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. 

You can also make an appointment to try it out at the kiosk. Forme Life promises it will include a review of all the features of the device, as well as a quick workout. Cinnabon first!

Free-to-use exercise bikes introduced at Montgomery Mall

Can't afford a gym membership? Westfield Montgomery Mall has the solution for you: Free stationary exercise bikes. The mall just set them up outside of candy shop Lolli and Pops, of all places. Gobble down handfuls of candy, then jump on a bike and burn it off. This sounds like a plan.

A sign warns patrons that you are using the bikes "at your own risk." If you give yourself a heart attack, Westfield will not be responsible. There's no indication of how use by any one individual will be regulated, so apparently you can stay on as long as you want - or as long as you can hold out.

There are mirrored partitions around the bike display with inspiring slogans for the demoralized and narcissistic alike. Take a strategically-framed selfie to taunt your friends working out at Equinox. You must be an adult to ride the bikes, by the way. This could be the perfect solution after Cinnabon opens at the mall this spring, when mall patrons' caloric intakes are sure to spike. Find your new free gym on Level 1 in the Macy's wing of the mall.

SoldierFit to open in Bethesda

New fitness studio concept SoldierFit is coming to downtown Bethesda. It will be located at 7920 Norfolk Avenue, where M&T Bank used to be until this summer. The building is owned by Douglas Development.

Peloton now open at Bethesda Row

Peloton has opened its new showroom at 4823 Bethesda Avenue. The high-end exercise bike retailer has now closed its pop-up store at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Peloton posts Coming Soon signage at Bethesda Row

As I reported last month, Peloton is coming to Bethesda Row. Yesterday, they installed a construction wall that includes a Coming Soon message at their space, which is at 4823 Bethesda Avenue. The space was recently vacated by Ministry.

Club Pilates official grand opening in Bethesda this Saturday

Club Pilates is the latest in a new wave of fitness studios to open in downtown Bethesda over the last few weeks. After soft-opening in February, the studio will be hosting an official grand opening tomorrow, Saturday, March 24, 2018. Club Pilates is located at 4959 Elm Street, formerly home to Ten Thousand Villages.

TRUEBODY Bethesda schedules opening events

TRUEBODY Bethesda, the long-awaited new gym in the historic Bethesda Post Office building at 7400 Wisconsin Avenue, will officially open next Monday, February 26, 2018. However, they will also be holding several Open House events this coming weekend at the facility, which has a modern addition behind the historic structure out front.

Stop by this Friday, February 23 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM), Saturday, February 24 (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), or Sunday, February 25 (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), when you will be able to try a class or their 90-minute TRUEBODY Experience, tour the facility, meet the staff, enjoy food and refreshments, sign up at the discounted pre-opening rate, and - assuming you do - go through a member orientation.

You can see the schedule of classes and events this weekend, and sign up, on their website.

Rendering courtesy TRUEBODY Bethesda

Training Ground to hold grand opening this Saturday, Jan. 6, in Bethesda

Training Ground, a new fitness concept located at 4940 Hampden Lane, Suite 200 in downtown Bethesda, will hold its Grand Opening this coming Saturday, January 6, 2018 from 1:00-3:00 PM.  Click here for free tickets.

The first 50 attendees will receive a free gift bag. Inside the bag will be snacks from Amazi, Noshbar and Territory Foods. Bag winners will also be entitled to a free personal training consultation at Training Ground, and a free physical therapy consultation from Cohen Health & Performance.

Everyone will enjoy free food and mimosas from Bethesda Row eateries Sweetgreen and Modern Market as they tour the facility. Training Ground's selling point is that they provide the large, modern space and world-class fitness equipment, but the various training options are provided by the independent personal trainers who use the facility as a shared workspace.

Photos courtesy Training Ground

Urban Boxing accepting pre-orders in Bethesda

While Urban Boxing is finishing moving in, the new gym at 4834 Cordell Avenue is now accepting class pre-orders on a walk-in basis. There are pre-sale specials on classes in boxing, kickboxing, Muay-Thai and Jiu-Jitsu, among other disciplines. Call 301-656-2186 or stop by the gym.

Urban Boxing opening in downtown Bethesda

Another fighting sport will occupy a building that has housed several kickboxing and UFC-related gyms in downtown Bethesda. Urban Boxing has leased space at 4834 Cordell Avenue. The new gym will offer boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ, yoga, a Run Club, and strength and conditioning programs.

UFC GYM INSTALLS SIGN IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

UFC Gym, formerly L.A. Boxing on Cordell Avenue, has installed its permanent, exterior sign. Yes, the gym is an official offshoot of the MMA fighting empire.

BAR METHOD BETHESDA OPENING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13; LESLEY MURPHY OF THE BACHELOR IS LATEST CELEB CLIENT (PHOTOS)

Bethesda's newest fitness studio, The Bar Method Bethesda, is opening this Wednesday, February 13.  Bar Method will offer a variety of classes and challenge levels drawing upon three disciplines: muscle shaping isometrics, dance conditioning, and physical therapy science.  The influence of dance, focus on posture and body sculpting, and protecting the body from injury are what set Bar Method apart from other fitness programs.

Does the Bar Method work? The company offers a roster of celebrity clients as proof, with Anna Paquin, Denise Richards and Zooey Deschanel being the most notable.

But Bar Method's newest  endorsement comes from a fit celebrity client who... was a client before she became a celebrity. Lesley Murphy, a final-6 contestant on the current season of The Bachelor, was a client of the DC location before being selected by the ABC series.

"I feel like I need to personally thank everyone who has taught me Bar Method classes in the past," Murphy says.

Bar Method is offering a a Bethesda new client special, $125 for 30 days of unlimited classes.  You could get that for $100, if you sign up by Tuesday - check with Bar Method for details (301-652-1200).

The new Bar Method studio is located in the street level of the Lionsgate condominium building, at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road.

Now, here's an exclusive preview of the new Bar Method studio:

L.A. BOXING BETHESDA TO BECOME UFC GYM, OFFER MMA-BASED FITNESS PROGRAMS AND WORKOUTS

L.A. Boxing has been acquired by UFC Gyms, a company affiliated with - yes - the UFC mixed martial arts league. Hence, L.A. Boxing Bethesda's location at 4834 Cordell Avenue will soon change its name to, you guessed it, UFC Gym.

The new brand will bring a new workout program to the facility, combining general fitness with techniques derived from mixed martial arts.  However, workouts will accomodate all levels from beginner to experienced. And don't be alarmed if you are a current member - they're not going to force you to fight fellow members. It will be a fitness club, not a Fight Club!

Expect the hefty corporate backing of UFC to boost your perks and bring new kinds of special events, however.