Equinox Fitness Bulks Up D.C. Metro Area Retail Presence; Holds Wellensteyn Trunk Show

Tysons Corner, Va. -- Consistently ranked one of the best gym chains in the country by numerous magazines, newspapers, and blogs, Equinox Fitness nevertheless refuses to rest on its laurels.

Not content with simply being the hottest place to drop a few pounds or build some muscle, the much lauded chain (approximately 50 locations nationwide) also has aggressive retail ambitions.

A relative newcomer to the D.C. fitness scene (the New York City-based company opened its first area location in Tysons Corner just a little over two years ago), Equinox has been content primarily selling items of convenience (e.g., Kiehl's products, gym shorts, bathing suits, heart rate monitors, etc.) to local members since it first launched in 2008.

But all of that is about to change with the launch of a massive new Bethesda location in the fall, spanning more than 31,000 square feet, across four different floors. Located at the intersection of Elm Street and Hampden Lane, inside the rapidly growing Bethesda Row community, Equinox's second D.C.-area location will devote a significant portion of its space to an expansive new retail store.

Unlike the Tysons Corner facility, however, Equinox Bethesda's boutique will cater to area residents in addition to the gym's members. Seasonal apparel, beauty products, fashion accessories, and workout equipment will all be offered, in addition to the usual gym essentials.

Customers will be able to pamper themselves with a massage, grab a fresh fruit smoothie, and browse the latest styles of activewear, all in one convenient location.

In an effort to show Washingtonians just how serious it is about providing an attractive selection of top merchandise, Equinox will be holding a series of trunk shows throughout the year at both its Tysons Corner and Bethesda facilities, featuring products from some of the top athletic and apparel manufacturers.

Saturday morning represented the first of these fashion-forward shopping parties, with multiple racks of outerwear from the Wellensteyn Clothing Company on display.

Founded more than 60 years ago in Hamburg, Germany, Wellensteyn began as a producer of mechanical instruments. Bowing to the needs of its customers, Adolf Wuttke's company slowly transitioned to designing sturdy, functional, and weather-resistant workwear for the German shipyard industry.

Now under the guidance of the founder's grandson, the designer brand has recently undergone a complete makeover, with a new emphasis on style in addition to function. Dubbed a 'fusion of function + fashion', Wellensteyn's latest collection is now sold through high-end stores like Macy's and Neiman Marcus. And now Equinox as well...

Wellensteyn's jackets are made of the highest quality of fabrics, with practical details (taped seams, water/wind proofing) carefully integrated into fashionable and trim-fitted offerings. With a recently opened showroom in Los Angeles and a New York City launch imminent, it's only a matter of time before the brand's jackets are spotted on this winter's most sought-after celebrities.

Equinox is clearly determined to make its mark on the local shopping scene. And with company CEO Harvey Spevak recently spotted scouting downtown D.C. locations, we can only guess that Equinox's retail star is just beginning to shine.

To learn more about Equinox Fitness, please visit the company's Tysons Corner and Bethesda Row websites.

Full disclosure: I've been a member of Equinox Tysons Corner for almost two years now and have lost 60+ pounds since first joining. I highly recommend that you check out their facilities!