There is a new fitness studio in town and community members are sweating with excitement.
“SWEAT opened a few months ago and we had an outpour of support from community members and local businesses,” owner Katherine Olson says. “I knew there was an appetite for working out in person again, and I have received so much positive feedback around the new space.”
The studio is located at 4508 Valley View Road in Edina and was originally under a different name and ownership.
“I was a long-time client of the previous studio,” Katherine says. “It was my go to place for workouts and when I heard they were going to close, I was sad. I knew many people, including myself, used the studio as a place to escape and get our sweat on.”
As Katherine thought more and more about what she could do, a plan started to form.
“In 2019, I was laid off from my job in corporate America and I took the opportunity to spend more time with my family,” she says. “Fast forward to 2022 and this opportunity fell into my lap. Combining my passion for fitness and business, I decided to launch SWEAT.”
Once her decision was made, Katherine acted fast to minimize how long the studio space would be closed during transition.
“The former studio had a long list of clients and excellent instructors, all of which I wanted to build on,” she says.
In June of 2022, the previous gym closed, and Katherine opened her doors on July 11 under a temporary name.
“I was able to open in 11 days and keep 100% of the instructors employed,” she says. “It was a fast launch. I made it happen with room to learn and make changes.”
Her approach to the business was and continues to be reactive, strategic, and based on suggestions from her clients and staff and local fitness community.
“I ran the temporary studio as a trial period to learn what people wanted,” Katherine says. “That time afforded the opportunity to figure out the best strategy to create a new physical permanent fitness space. I operated this way for the summer while I built the new brand with redesigned class schedules, formats and updating the facility.”
After months of creation, SWEAT officially opened in October 2022.
“SWEAT is a curated team of fitness instructors (with over 200 years of combined experience) who lead high-energy, structured classes with a variety of specialized formats,” Katherine says. “Classes are fun, tough and designed to meet every ‘body’ on their own fitness journey.”
A variety of classes are offered including cardio, strength training, yoga, Pilates mat sculpting and even dance. Days of the week are themed to encourage clients to try something new.
Monday is COMBOSweat for those wanting cardio and strength training. Tuesday is SCULPTSweat, which follows a Yoga Sculpt format. Wednesday is STRONGSweat for a full body strength workout. Thursday is MOVESweat for those wanting to get their heart rates up. Friday and Saturday are a mixture of classes to give people a chance to try different formats. Lastly, Sunday is a restorative day with yoga and mobility classes.
“SWEAT offers a variety of exciting, fun classes,” Katherine says. “We have a contagious energy that makes people want to come back again and again.”
First time clients can take a class for free and after that sessions cost $24 for a single, $99 for five and $179 for 10.
SWEAT is also offering an introductory limited time membership program that includes unlimited classes for $99 a month.
“Another area of opportunity for SWEAT clients, besides the adult classes, is the ability to rent the studio space, along with coach-led youth team agility, mobility and strength training,” Katherine says.
Anyone can rent the studio space out for parties, team building occasions and more. The event’s itinerary does not have to include a workout class, although that is an option.
“For youth team training we partner with local teams, and they choose what they would like to work on, whether that’s strength, yoga or stretching,” Katherine says.
Katherine has three children of her own and some of their sports teams have participated in team training.
“I have loved seeing my kids interact with their teammates and build on their skills,” she says.
As Katherine looks toward the future of her space, she hopes to add a more extensive group training program.
“We will soon launch a full small group performance program that will be all encompassing with strength and conditioning training, nutrition and support,” she says. “Participants will go 2-3 times per week and have access to unlimited classes. We have so many exciting things coming, and I will make sure every person walking through the studio doors gets a great workout."
For more details, visit www.sweatmsp.com.
"We have a contagious energy that makes people want to come back again and again.”