A new gym is opening up downtown where nerds workout.
It combines serious fitness with cosplay, crafts and superhero training.
Yes, members can workout dressed up as their favorite superhero or in a T-Rex costume.
The Nerd Gym is owned and run by two nerds Eric Frey, 41, and Melanie TschoppFrey, 38. It’s opening in the Warehouse Arts District at 15 E. Toole Ave. on July 5.
"We're serious fitness and silly people," Melanie said.
But before they can do that, they have to move out of their current location in Marana. That means moving the yoga balls, free weights and a Star Wars Rebel Flag along with treadmills and other cardio machines to the bigger location.
The new location will offer the same four membership options (Green for $49, Orange for $79, Purple for $185, Blue for $597 per month for 12 months) as the Marana location and many more workout classes like Unleash Your Power Training and Batman workouts. The Purple membership is the most popular because it combines group training and personal training. You get a personal trainer, access to all the themed workouts and open cardio times, and more.
"We're trying to take the boredom out of exercise and create a space where people who typically don’t see themselves as enjoying exercise can be themselves and enjoy exercise," Eric said.
Courtesy of The Nerd Gym
The idea came from their own health journey. They wanted to create a space that combines traditional workouts and the imagination stuff they enjoy.
"Melanie and I didn’t grow up being jocks," Eric said. "When we workout, our imagination ignites and we don’t just think about trudging along on a treadmill. Our imagination takes us into our favorite movies, our favorite books and things like that."
You don't have to be a nerd to workout in this gym, you just have to be open. The Nerd Gym believes in the magic of friendship, they like to have fun and and help build confidence.
The gym recently hosted a Wonder Woman Cosplay and Craft Night where attendees met to make custom leather-wrist guards like Wonder Woman’s. Melanie even made mimosas.
It was intended to build a supportive community where people can make new friends and keep each other accountable.
"So when you start making friend and start doing things aside from push ups together, you start caring for each other and supporting each other and then your results become that much better," Eric said.
"When someone is missing from a class, it’s noticed," Melanie added.
The next event craft and cosplay night is July 22, at the new location. There’s also a Star Wars-themed exercise workshop at the end of the month where you’ll be engaging the Force.
If you go
What: The Nerd Gym
Hours: The open cardio hours will be 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Special events are on the weekend.
Location: Two locations; Current one (closing in December) at 3870 W. River Rd., Suite 108 and a new location opening downtown at 15 E. Toole Ave.
More info: thenerdgym.com
