Wellness: 501F1T Open House

Located above downtown Minneapolis's CorePower Yoga, in a naturally lit industrial space, 501F1T is the newest gym to hit the Twin Cities. I stopped in on Thursday evening for the open house celebration and to tour the 8,000-square-foot club. Exposed brick walls, citron-green accents, and large windows act as a backdrop to state-of-the art fitness equipment— much of it custom-designed by founder and fitness director Phil Martens.

Having more than ten years of fitness training under his belt, Martens sought to combine all of his favorite gym equipment into one compact machine. He invented and designed the G-Werx Gym, which is used in 501's unique strength training classes. Featuring a patented "Flexchange System," the G-Werx uses dumbbells as resistance for machine exercise. The combination of free weights and machine offers more than 100 ways to tone and strengthen your entire body.

Other 501F1T amenities include: a fully stocked free weight room, rows of cardio equipment, tidy locker rooms, showers, towel service, massage therapy, nutritional consultations, and more.

While large enough (and open enough) to avoid feeling cramped, 501 is intimate enough to allow for fellow gym members to know you by name. And for many city dwellers, it will be a welcome alternative to the large-scale chain gyms that dot the metro.

Give it a try: New visitors can try a week's worth of classes for only $5.01. Call 612-767-4415 or email info@501FIT.com for more information.

501F1T, 501 S. Washington Ave., Mpls., 612-767-4415