MINT members will soon enjoy more convenient and more secure access to the club with facial recognition technology. Please see this post for additional FAQs.
We have meticulously researched the best overall solution for our new front door security system. While there may never be a ‘perfect’ answer to security challenges, our upcoming facial recognition system is designed to be streamlined: you walk up, and you walk in; it’s that simple, it even checks you in for the gym/class! Our chosen security company offers the most robust modern digital security available, serving over 30 million users and over 55,000 commercial and government partners globally. They are a vetted, reputable partner of mindbodyonline, another global organization, and the software we have been using for over 10 years for member and billing information. We are working to possibly provide an alternative access method, which will carry an extra fee and be less convenient.
At MINT, we constantly strive to enhance your experience in every way possible. With this change, our staffing and service levels will remain at the high standards you have come to expect. This system is being implemented in response to recent security issues (noting that we haven’t experienced any issues in months). As we have posted recently, MINT, being an open-access environment, is no exception to issues across DC and most cities, such as ‘smash and grabs’ involving individuals and groups trespassing, ignoring staff, and stealing items that were left unlocked. While there has never been a direct threat to safety within MINT, theft is unacceptable. We have been working closely with the police to address these incidents. Please remember to lock your personal items in our provided key-free lockers.
We eliminated all third-party guest partnerships, such as ClassPass, earlier this year to maximize members’ value, which was unrelated to any security concerns. Following the recent incidents, we also eliminated all drop-in options, including paid guests, and increased our vetting process for membership trials. FLEXGuest continues: info on that program here.
These changes come with substantial costs for us, including lost revenue, increased expenses, fewer new-member inquiries, and heavier workloads for many staff. However, we are always planning for the long term and know these changes will ultimately benefit everyone and increase the value of being a member. We will continue to work hard for you through all aspects of your experience with us.
We love our community and our city. Theft and trespassing are destructive to physical property and attempt to dismantle our peace of mind and sense of security. We are committed to enhancing the safety and quality of our environment for our members and staff. We believe that implementing these new measures will help us maintain a safe and peaceful experience for everyone. We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate this transition.
Thank you for being a valued member of the MINT community.
For more information or further questions, email: Bresni@mintdc.com.
GREAT news! As of March 24, the current phase of remodeling work is complete! The men’s and women’s showers and saunas, and the men’s lockers, are all new.
The women’s locker area will be rebuilt in mid-May; we have planned this night work to cause no disruption to your daily routine.
Thanks for your patience and support as we continuously work to improve your MINT experience!
After much consideration, we’re excited to share that MINT is now welcoming ClassPass guests again on a limited and trial basis. This decision was made thoughtfully, with systems in place to ensure our valued members remain our top priority.
We’ve collaborated closely with ClassPass to manage guest access carefully. Availability will be limited and fully at MINT’s discretion, and many classes will continue to be reserved exclusively for members. Rest assured, our system prioritizes members, guaranteeing you always have the first opportunity to secure your spot.
The decision to reintroduce ClassPass on a trial basis comes with benefits for everyone. The added resources will allow us to continue investing in our community—paying our instructors more, enhancing the energy in classes, and supporting improvements and new offerings to keep MINT thriving.
Thank you for being the heart of MINT! Here’s to even more growth and connection in 2025.
Are you ready to make February your month to row? MINT is kicking off an exciting 4-week Rowing Challenge that’s guaranteed to energize your workouts and bring some friendly competition to the studio. Whether you’re an endurance pro or new to rowing, this is your chance to push your limits, bond with teammates, and aim for the top prize!
Here’s everything you need to know to join the fun:
The Basics
- Challenge Dates: Saturday, February 1 – Sunday, March 2
(Teams will be selected on Sunday, January 26, giving you a few days to strategize before meters count!) - Goal: Row as many meters as possible during MINT classes.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
- Teams of 3-4 People: Teams will be chosen by random draw during “Selection Sunday” on January 26.
- Track Your Progress: After each class, report your meters rowed. MINT will provide a tracking board to keep your progress visible and motivational.
Special Twists
- Double Meter Classes: A select number of classes during the challenge will count for double meters. These will be surprises, so stay tuned for announcements!
- Only at MINT: To ensure fairness, only meters rowed during MINT classes will count toward your team’s total.
Prizes Worth Rowing For
The team with the highest total meters at the end of the challenge will win fantastic prizes, including gift cards to MINT or from our amazing community partners.
Why February Is the Perfect Time to Row
February might be the shortest month, but it’s packed with opportunities to stay motivated and energized. This challenge is your chance to beat the winter slump, make meaningful connections, and add some serious meters to your fitness journey!
How to Get Started
- Sign Up: Join us for “Selection Sunday” on January 26 to get your team assignment.
- Row and Report: Starting February 1, track your meters after every class.
- Strategize: Work with your team to stay motivated and take advantage of those surprise double-meter classes!
Don’t miss this chance to make February a month of fitness, fun, and teamwork. Grab your spot in the challenge and let’s row our way to victory—together!
As we dive into a new year, prioritizing recovery and physical wellness is key to achieving your fitness goals. That’s why MINT is excited to host a Stretch and Foam Roll Workshop with Tali, designed to help you move better, feel better, and recover like a pro.
Workshop Details
- Date: Tuesday, January 14
- Time: 8:00 AM, 50 minutes
- Instructor: Tali Israeli
What to Expect
This hands-on workshop is all about enhancing your flexibility, relieving muscle tension, and supporting your overall wellness. With Tali’s expert guidance, you’ll learn:
- Targeted stretching techniques to improve mobility and flexibility.
- The best foam rolling strategies to reduce soreness and aid muscle recovery.
- Tips to incorporate these recovery practices into your routine for long-term benefits.
Whether you’re an avid athlete, a regular gym-goer, or just getting started with fitness, this workshop is suitable for all levels.
Why Recovery Matters
Stretching and foam rolling aren’t just about feeling good after a workout—they’re essential components of a balanced fitness routine. By promoting recovery, you can:
- Reduce the risk of injury.
- Boost your performance in classes and workouts.
- Support your body’s ability to handle everyday movement with ease.
This workshop aligns with MINT’s focus on helping members prioritize recovery as part of their wellness journey.
Reserve Your Spot!
Space is limited, so be sure to sign up early to secure your place in this interactive workshop. Let’s kick off 2025 feeling flexible, strong, and ready to take on anything!
2024 was a big year at MINT! As the year wraps up, we want to take a moment to reflect on some of the changes and improvements made to the club, and of course say a big THANK YOU to all our members, guests, trainers, coaches, and staff who keep us running.
We introduced new classes to the weekly schedule, including shorter, 25-minute Express FLEX classes, a midday Power Hour lunchtime class, and expanded pilates offerings including TRX Pilates. For those who prefer crafting their own routines over instructor-led classes, additional equipment was also added to the workout floor.
Some new faces joined our MINT team this year! Yoga instructor Seara Mainor, rowing instructor Annie Avendt, and pilates/yoga instructor Sally Tyler cultivated environments of compassion and kindness in all their classes. Others grew in their career – Personal trainer Tali Israeli was promoted to Advanced Master Trainer and Braegan Padley was promoted to our first-ever Master Instructor. We also expanded our list of community partners, welcoming Others Coffee to the neighborhood.
Several of the common spaces got a refresh in the past year, with a new lounge area and coffee machine. New improvements for 2025 are already underway. The men’s and women’s showers and saunas will get complete remodels, making for an upgraded, spa-like recovery experience. The men’s showers are open and the women’s showers are on target to open by the first week of February [more].
The thing we’re most grateful for in 2024? YOU, our members! Thanks for getting stronger with us this year, and we hope you stick with us for all the good things coming in 2025.
What are your proudest accomplishments from 2024? And what are you looking forward to most in 2025?
Introducing MINT Condition: Our All-New Unlimited Membership
We’re thrilled to launch our new MINT Condition membership, the ultimate membership for fitness enthusiasts looking for flexibility, value, and unparalleled perks!
Here’s what’s included in your MINT Condition membership:
- Unlimited Access: Enjoy unrestricted access to all cardio and strength equipment, as well as our studio classes.
- Fit3D Body Composition Tracking: Track your progress like never before with unlimited Fit3D detailed body composition scans—typically an additional $29/month, now included.
- FLEXGuest Perk: Bring a buddy as often as you’d like with unlimited guest visits, also typically $29/month—yours free with this membership.
- Leave of Absence Option: Need to pause your membership? Take up to 6 months off per year at no additional charge.
Special Offer: Paid-in-Full Discount | 15 Total Available, SOLD OUT as of 12.26.24
Lock in your 2025 fitness journey today with our paid-in-full deal for only $1,776, available now through December 31, 2024. That’s just $148/month for unlimited access to all the benefits MINT Condition has to offer.
This exclusive membership can only be purchased by current members and is limited to two memberships per person.
Check out our Black Green Friday deals! On Sale 11/28-12/01
What time of day is best to work out?
The answer to this question varies from person to person and depends on many factors, including sleep, work and meal schedules, energy levels, and individual fitness goals.
Morning
For some, working out first thing in the morning is a perfect start to the day. And if you’re someone who struggles to stick to a routine, regular morning exercise can be a great way to build consistency. By prioritizing movement shortly after waking up, you’ll remove the chance of obstacles or other obligations getting in the way. Research has also shown that the benefits of a morning workout extend beyond the early hours; you may experience better concentration and higher energy throughout the day.
For the extra early risers – MINT opens at 5:30am Monday-Friday and 7am on Saturday and Sunday. These are often the quietest times at the gym, so if you prefer solitude, try arriving early.
Midday
By the afternoon, you might notice you’re more awake and alert, and your body feels looser and more warmed up. Midday can be an effective and efficient time to workout while building towards fitness goals. Most people are better fueled and more hydrated by the afternoon than they are first thing in the morning, which can contribute to a more productive workout. This can be a great time to try adding more weight, extra reps, or trying a HIIT or speed workout. Like earlier workouts, benefits like lowered stress and boosted metabolism can extend throughout the rest of the day.
MINT offers classes between 11am and 12:30pm every day. Try one and see how a lunchtime workout makes you feel.
Evening
5pm-7pm is one of the most popular times to come to the gym, and for good reason, an early evening exercise schedule has many benefits. Your body temperature rises throughout the day, which affects movement and flexibility. Your muscles may also be better warmed up from other activities throughout the day, reducing the risk of injury. Research has suggested that working in the late afternoon or early evening can improve sleep, leaving you recharged for the next day.
Late night
You’re not alone if you like working out later in the evening. Many people enjoy coming to the gym after the post-work rush. Some studies have found that exercising later in the evening, after your body has digested most of its meals for the day, can help stabilize blood sugar the following day. That said, if you find that exercising later at night affects your sleep, you might want to try a lower-intensity, low-impact activity like yoga or barre or trading the treadmill for the elliptical or stationary bike for cardio.
MINT is open until 10pm Monday-Thursday and 9pm Friday-Sunday. Like the early hours, these later times tend to be less busy than midday or early evening.
Ultimately, the best time to come to the gym is… whenever you can get there! If you’re planning to change your workout schedule – maybe try a morning class if you’re a night owl or a late-evening session for an early riser – give yourself time to adjust, and don’t expect your body to feel the same right away. It can take 3-4 weeks to regulate changes. You might also need to shift other parts of your schedule to ensure you’re getting adequate sleep, fuel, and hydration.
What’s your favorite time of day to work out? Do you prefer taking group classes or getting your solo sweat on? Let us know, and as always – tag us in your sweaty selfies!
We are quickly approaching the time of year when daylight hours dwindle, and the temperature begins to drop. On November 3rd the clocks “fall back,” and for many, especially those with a 9 to 5 office schedule, that means a significant drop in exposure to natural light. This change in time and decrease in daylight can affect our mental and physical health. Here are some things to look out for and tips on managing.
- Sleep disruption
Even though we’ll technically “gain” an hour overnight, disruption or loss of sleep is a common side effect of the time change. Luckily, if you stick with consistent bed and wake times, you should adjust within about a week. It also might help to slowly shift your usual schedule back in 15-minute increments over a few days. If you have trouble falling asleep, try dimming the lights at least one hour before your desired bedtime. Avoiding phone use and other screens might help as well.
- Lower energy
It takes some time for our bodies’ internal clocks to adjust to the shift in time. Be prepared to feel slightly more tired for a few days, and be patient with yourself as your circadian rhythm adjusts. If you’re lower in energy than usual, try moving your body restoratively. While it can be tempting to double down on caffeine to power through (and we wouldn’t judge you for that extra cup of coffee Monday morning!), be sure to hydrate adequately, too.
- Depressed mood
Seasonal affective disorder is a common ailment triggered by changing seasons and waning daylight in winter months. It’s believed that reduced daylight affects how the body produces serotonin. A balanced diet, including protein, carbs, and healthy fats, can help balance hormonal disruptions. Getting as much sunlight as possible during the day may also alleviate symptoms of SAD. Light exposure in the morning and afternoon will help realign circadian rhythm and help alleviate evening energy and mood dips.
It’s not all bad – the time change will be welcome for early risers since it allows more sunlight in the early morning hours. If you prefer to move your body in daylight, consider shifting your workout schedule earlier in the morning. MINT opens at 5:30am on weekdays and offers classes at 6am, 6:30am, and 7am Monday through Friday.
There are also ways to embrace the darker afternoons and evenings. Try a candlelight yoga class, offered on Mondays at 6pm and Sundays at 4:30pm. Other restorative and flow yoga classes are offered on weekday evenings.
Let us know how MINT can help with your winter wellness!
