Massive Luxury Gym Nears Opening On The Upper East Side

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Workshoppe Fitness, a four-level luxury fitness center, is getting ready to open its doors this summer on the Upper East Side, founder and Upper East Sider Damon Riscucci told Patch.

The sprawling health club, located at 1120 Third Ave. between East 66th Street and East 65th Street, is set to open in late June or early July, depending on when some remaining business permits are approved by the city, Riscucci told Patch.

Workshoppe was designed to compete with the big names in the local premium health club business, like Equinox or Life Time, with high-end amenities and equipment, the founder said.

However, Riscucci is making his own playbook.

"One of the key components of our club and what will make us a little different is that we are really going to be focused on strength," Riscucci said, adding that he has curated strength-building equipment from all over the world.

"Our goal is to really get everybody to lift weights and put on some muscle. Every study today is showing that it really is the right thing to do."

The gym will also feature extensive cardio equipment, as well as studio space and locker rooms, and a sauna with Himalayan salt rock and infrared lights will be available in both the men's and women's locker rooms.

"Since Workshoppe is not open yet, I am a customer of a few of the health clubs in the area, and when I walk through these, I am thinking, 'How can we do this better?' or 'How can we be more cost-effective for our customers?'" Viscucci said. "And that is really the driving force behind what makes Workshoppe what it's going to be."

In the studio spaces, Riscucci said instructors will teach a range of classes, including yoga, pilates, cardio and strength-building.

"Workshoppe is going to have a typical range of classes that you might find in an Equinox, but we're also going to have some studio-centric classes that you might find in Barry's Bootcamp or Core Power," Riscucci said. "We're going to have the ability to heat the studio, so we're one of the few large box fitness clubs that are going to offer hot yoga and hot pilates."

Memberships to Workshoppe will range from $120 to $160.

"We've built a really great team, and there's a lot of enthusiasm here," Riscucci said. "Our main goal is to connect with the community and connect with our members. We really want to give a product that is worth more than what people are paying for. That's really what our focus is."

Workshoppe Fitness is located at 1120 Third Ave. in Manhattan.

Know of a business opening or closing in Manhattan? Email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.

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