Downtown Decatur is getting another fitness studio at the end of October.
[solidcore] has announced that as part of expansion to Georgia, it will be opening a fitness studio at 150 East Ponce de Leon Avenue in the One Decatur Town Center building on October 29th.
According to a press release, “The [solidcore] method emphasizes slow and controlled full-body movements with constant tension, working muscles to failure – yes, failure – and then forcing muscles to rebuild in a stronger and more sculpted way.” There are currently [solidcore] studios in 4 states (VA, PA, MD, MN) and in Washington DC. The release notes that First Lady Michelle Obama is a client of [solidcore].
Fitness options have exploded for area residents in the last year. [solidcore] joins Orange Theory and PureBarre as the third fitness studio to open in Downtown Decatur in the past year. And then there’s the new LA Fitness up at Suburban Plaza. Long-time, local gym COREBODY Decatur closed at the end of 2015.
Funny how small, locally owned businesses close while chains continue to populate the Decatur landscape.
Yeah, not so funny, really. Fitness studios in the downtown area just doesn’t make sense to me. They normally have classes that start at a certain time, but finding parking and getting yourself in the door before you’re shut out is a real challenge.
I have to think that they are going to be the new FroYo glut. There has to be a limit to how many folks have the time, money, and desire to go to large fitness and yoga places. Especially if the parking is limited which adds a hurdle for those who don’t live near enough to walk. And especially if the patrons can be watched through large glass walls with an unobstructed view, limiting participation to those who are adequately fit and well-outfitted to be on display.
lots of new people moving downtown these days with the new buildings going up. those folks won’t be affected by the lack of parking as much as suburban decaturites.
Not so funny indeed but welcome to the new Decatur where corporate money talks and little business walks.
Atlanta Barbell was started by two former Core Body trainers and is off college, a great, locally owned option!
they moved. smugs fitness is moving in there soon, i think.
Joe’s Gym in Oakhurst is also an indie start-up.
It will be fun to sit on Leon’s patio, munching on frites and drinking cocktails, in plain view of the poor souls trapped exercising.
Since we’re giving shout-outs, I’m partial to Form Yoga, owned by Decatur mom, Mandy Roberts. Plenty of parking. Next to the Asian market on E. Ponce. $99 per month for all the down dogs you want.
I like Form too. And Decatur Yoga.
If you are into Pilates there is a new place next to Joe’s Gym inn Oakhurst that has incredible instruction. Small classes. A lot of personal attention. Private and semi private classes.
http://www.energy-form-alignment.com/
But many of these franchises are locally owned and operated. We don’t diss our beloved DQ and Chik-fil-A has long been a supporter of local community events.
Among the newbies, Pure Barre is (from what I read online) franchise, and I know Smoothie King is a locally owned franchise. Sure the balance from indie business to franchise business may be changing. But there are varying degrees of corporate overlords heartlessly changing the landscape …