West Seattle business: Inspire Seattle coming to Admiral District

| Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Another business is joining Umpqua Bank (WSB sponsor) and Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in the retail building north of Admiral Safeway: The fitness studio Inspire Seattle, based on Queen Anne, is expanding to West Seattle. Thanks to Crys for tipping us to a brief announcement on the Inspire Facebook page; we contacted owner Sue Hahm to find out more. She replied:

We’re expanding to West Seattle because we felt it was the right demographic for our target client base. Queen Anne has been very successful for us so we wanted to open our second studio in a similar neighborhood. We provide an effective and intense workout in 40 minutes, so it’s important that we’re in a neighborhood where clients can take advantage of the quick workout and not have to commute too far to work out… because clients tend to stay more motivated to work out if it’s convenient.

According to its website, Inspire Seattle is the city’s only studio offering the Lagree Fitness system. Hahm says they expect the West Seattle location (2620 California SW) to open late this year or early next.

Pilatesjunkie August 7, 2012 (7:56 pm)

Great workout for a seasoned pilates student – they need to alter their cancellation policy b/c West Seattlites probably won’t like it. I have to say I’m slightly sad that we are now being compared to the same demographic as Queen Anne – people here might have the same intelligence level and income but we are NOT like Queen Anne residents. Regardless, wish Inspire great success with their endeavor.

Admiral August 8, 2012 (1:03 am)

I was also confused by the comparison to Queen Anne, as I have never thought that we were similar. I visited their website and their prices are pretty darn steep, and wonder how so many pricey gyms can live so close to one another…

Though I wish any business luck in our neighborhood, I wish a more community-friendly business would have picked that spot.

WSB August 8, 2012 (1:39 am)

Whatever the specifics, while watching the business community’s changes over these past five-plus years of covering West Seattle intensively/extensively, we’ve noticed so many businesses expanding from north end to here, that I almost headlined this story something like “ANOTHER north-end business coming here.” In coffee, for example, the north-enders who are here too (some QA, some Ballard, some U-District, etc.) include Caffe Fiore, Caffe Ladro, Uptown Espresso, Java Bean, Diva, Cupcake Royale all have north and south branches … in restaurants and bars, we have Chaco Canyon (WSB sponsor), Matador, Wing Dome, Prost, Endolyne Joe’s (sister to 5 Spot on Queen Anne) … retailers like Sneakery and Edie’s … and, also in the fitness industry, 8 Limbs and Breathe among others … I’m sure there are others I’m not thinking of. We don’t even get around to writing about every personal-care business that is coming here – fitness, spas, salons have really proliferated – but this apparently is so unique, according to our tipster (a client, not an employee or owner), that people have been driving all the way over there to be part of it. But somehow it seems as if that would just be normal for a big city, a successful business looking for another neighborhood to expand into. – TR

Peabody August 8, 2012 (7:37 am)

Admiral, I’m puzzled…Inspire hasn’t even moved in yet, so how did you come to the conclusion that they aren’t “community-friendly”? Try giving them a chance.

pilatesjunkie August 8, 2012 (9:19 am)

I used to drive all the way over there 5x week – great studio for a seasoned Pilates student. This is a wonderful business opportunity for them – it will fit well as WS spends a lot of money on fitness. I personally chose to start supporting long time West Seattle Pilates studios that provide very effective workouts in a safer manner. To name a few, Al Dente, Be Pilates, Fauntleroy Pilates and the YMCA – they all have group reformer classes. As always – I appreciate your incredible reporting of all the changes taking place in the West Seattle area!

Crys August 8, 2012 (9:25 am)

Thank you WSB for investigating for us! This is the easily the best work out I’ve ever had. I go to class 3 to 4 times a week. I’m very excited to no longer have that crazy commute. I might even be able to add one day!

Peaches August 8, 2012 (3:46 pm)

As a small business owner I would like to say that any business that thinks it can be successful and takes that leap is amazing! The rent at this location is astronomical and I think that if the numbers were cheaper other small businesses would love to move in. Either way we should try to support each other.

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