You won’t find a leather-clad study or scotch-sipping suits at Melissa Gallagher and Krista Knee’s fitness and social club on King West. That’s because, when we’re talking about the womens-only Elle Fitness and Social, we’re talking about throwing the preconceptions of stuffy, members-only clubs out the window. Instead, luxe furniture, crystal chandeliers and plenty of pink adorn Elle’s bright, lofty space, located in a converted industrial building on the bustling strip proper.
Elle’s shtick is mostly group fitness. Classes start at 6 am, 7 am and 8 am and range from fat-busting boot camp to yoga and Pilates to runners training to Zumba. “The bikini boot camps are very popular,” co-owner Melissa says. “But the boxing class is what made me fall in love with the studio. Our Saturday morning box class is always packed.”
The fitness club hosts studio hours from 10 am to 10 pm, so members can pop by for a private workout in the back room. There are also group classes in the evenings and over lunch. “The instructors will always give variations so people can leave 15 minutes early but still get an equal workout on both sides. As we say, we want to make sure that no one has a lopsided ass,” Melissa laughs.
