Lansing's FLEXcity Fitness brings no-contract cardio/core classes to new Grand Rapids studio

With an eye to expanding their fitness studios throughout Michigan, FLEXcity Fitness owners Jenny Quinn and Trista Parisian opened their second location on Jan. 16, the two-year anniversary of the opening of the duo's flagship Lansing studio.

The new fitness center at 629 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, next to Urban Mill Cafe, offers more than just plenty of space with lots of natural light. It also brings FLEXcity's brand of group workout cardio and core strength combination classes to the city.

Quinn says she and Parisian developed their "concept of 'flex' based on an interval-based studio -- 25 minutes of cardio, 25 minutes of core strength, and six minutes of flexibility in each class."

Parisian chimes in, saying each class starts with "half the participants on cardio and half on the floor getting personalized attention," and every few minutes, participants switch places. "Every day of the week the intervals are different. Today we did five-minute intervals with people on cardio for five minutes, then on the floor for five minutes working a lot of core and strength."

FLEXcity Fitness offers contract-free workouts: participants pay by the month or buy punch card packages that carry a six-month expiration and allow clients to work out according to their availability. Classes are limited to 16 people, and every first class is free.

Workout equipment ranges from typical treadmills and spin cycles to TRX and barre.

"We wanted to expand the concept and the brand across the state," Quinn says. "Grand Rapids is a growing city. We looked for a likeminded population similar to our clientele in Lansing. We worked with M Retail, and when we walked into the space, we knew it was a perfect fit. It's easy for people coming from all directions to reach us because it's close to downtown and right off the highway."

FLEXcity Fitness offers early morning, afternoon, and evening classes. See the website for schedules and pricing.

Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor