Bethesda Row is the perfect place to visit if you’re living an active lifestyle! With countless boutique studios and fitness clubs, healthy spots to grab a bite, activewear and athleisure stores, and even a homegrown running store, there’s something for everyone! I spent the day walking, shopping, and grazing on Bethesda Row to report back to you on how you can spend the day with movement, fashion, and healthy bites.
If cardio is your thing, there’s a SoulCycle on Elm Street where you can see flushed faces exiting the studio after a heart-pumping class. Orangetheory Fitness is also a short walk, and their high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts will definitely leave you nice and sweaty! For those who prefer to workout on their own outdoors, the Capital Crescent Trail is a tremendous public resource. Walk, run, scoot, or cycle along this beautiful trail, and you’ll see that many people in the community are also taking advantage of this resource.
If you prefer yoga, Pilates, and/or barre, there are ample studios in the area. Club Pilates, CorePower, barre3, and [solidcore] are all within a short walk of all the restaurants and shops you love on Bethesda Row! Pro tip: Many boutique studios allow you to try a class for free on your first visit! Be sure to visit their websites and see the promotions they have for first-timers.
After your workout, you’re probably craving something to eat, drink, or both. If you are looking for something truly different for your post-sweat bites, PLANTA is the place to be! They have amazing vegan options of the cooked and raw variety. For Meatless Monday, they have half-priced “sushi,” so you can try a little bit of everything. Their watermelon nigiri is my favorite thing on the menu, and I’m not even ordinarily a fan of watermelon! On the weekends, they have brunch cocktails to celebrate your latest victory at the gym, and the atmosphere just feels… cool! It’s definitely a vibe.
If you need a little caffeine to fuel you after your workout, Quartermaine Coffee Roasters offers a strong brew to get you going again!
Did you forget something for your workout (socks, a mat, something to change into afterwards, etc.)? Vuori and Lululemon offer amazing activewear and athleisure for all genders, and their staff is knowledgeable about their gear. I wear leggings just about every day, and both brands carry high quality leggings that are flattering and last through many a sweat sesh. These stores also offer free fitness classes to the community throughout the year, so be sure to check their calendars to see what they have coming up!
If you’re training for a marathon or chasing another PR at a different distance, you’ll want to stop into RNJ Sports for all the running essentials. If you’ve never been fitted for running shoes before, make sure you ask the RNJ team to help you get into the right gear! Getting fitted for running shoes is essential for trying to avoid injury and making sure you’re in the right shoe for your feet AND for the distances and terrain you’re planning to run.
On my last trip, I nearly shopped ‘til I dropped, so I had to visit Jeni’s for an ice cream pick-me-up. They have so many insane flavors, and the outdoor seating area is perfect for hanging out with your accountability buddies after class.
No matter how you plan to move your body, Bethesda Row has something for everybody. You get a great mix of national brands and local small businesses, public parks, and spaces, and there are all different types of cuisines – even food for the pickiest eaters! Bethesda Row provides a welcoming and upbeat environment to move your body, feed your appetite, and connect with the community.
