Solcana Fitness

Nearly a year ago I signed up for a beginner class at Solcana and was terrified. I had never been to a gym before, and quite honestly was too intimidated to attempt lifting heavier weights on my own. The empower class gave me the confidence I needed to continue my journey and now, almost a year later you will find me at Solcana several times a week! The coaches are so encouraging and helpful and the community is incredible. I have never felt stronger in my life. Solcana is the best!

Wonderful gym! The trainers are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, attentive, and helpful. The people are incredibly nice, accepting, and supportive of a variety of body types and ability levels.

The classes offer a great variety with lots of timeslots. There are also daily "recesses" where you can do whatever you'd like outside of a class.

They're incredibly LGBTQIA+ accepting. I've always felt welcomed.

Words don’t express how much of a difference it makes to be surrounded by supportive people instead of gym bros. The community at Solcana gives me so much more than just incredible and fun workouts. I feel encouraged to do what’s best for my body and didn’t have to deal with toxic weight loss culture messaging. The coaches give so many alternative options for an exercise and I always learn something new.

Best gym ever! I joined Solcana as a newbie to lifting, and my relationship to fitness has totally changed in my year as a member. For the first time in my life, I really look forward to going to the gym! The friendly, nonjudgemental environment and all of the modifications that coaches offer have been really helpful in making me feel comfortable to get started, and learning what my body needs. The community at Solcana is unbeatable– it is such a treat to work out with so many fun, kind people who are all working on their own personal goals.

Being an older person brand new to this kind of fitness in 2021, I was a bit overwhelmed to try Solcana. It didn't take long to love it - the fitness AND the community. I felt welcomed and supported from day one. The coaches and the athletes make Solcana a thing of beauty supporting each other to do and be their best, whatever that looks like for them. I am inspired every time I come to Solcana because of how all types of bodies are welcomed and show up, getting strong and pushing through hard stuff together. Flash forward to 2+ years later: I am stronger, more comfortable and at home in my aging body, doing things I never thought possible, and I couldn’t be happier with the Solcana community. It’s definitely more than just a gym. Or perhaps what all gyms should aspire to be.

I joined the beginners Empower Class and am so grateful I did! I have never worked out in a gym in my life and really felt that the program and coaches met me where I am. The Empower class has changed the way I see working out and how it fits into my life — I understand now that movement everyday is beneficial to your health and waiting for perfect circumstances is silly. I am continuing my fitness journey and have joined Solcana as a member to attend the BBF classes.

I am in town for work for two weeks and wanted to try out a local gym that might be similar to the classes I take at home. Solcana’s Sunday community class sounded perfect! Unfortunately when I arrived, I learned that the class had been cancelled - however, Cate and her team were so welcoming, it only made me more interested in joining their community! They graciously encouraged me to make myself at home in their gym and use their facilities on my own. This experience has me wishing I lived in Minneapolis - Solcana has clearly created something special here!

I can’t say enough about Solcana. Before I went to Solcana, I’ve been searching for somewhere to get back into shape after a long hiatus/injury. I took a chance on empower and haven’t looked back! Solcana has made me feel confident, strong, and supported in my fitness journey. The coaches and other members are really amazing and I look forward to my three times a week I get to join them all.

Been going to this gym for almost 2 years now, and it is like no other. I love the community I’ve found here, and the strength-based group classes have been gamechanging! I never thought I would like group classes, but the accountability has kept me coming back consistently. The coaches here are knowledgeable, compassionate, and always willing to adapt movements to something that will work for your body. If you are looking for a body-neutral, queer/queer friendly gym, this is the place to go.

Solcana's pretty damn great. I've been going for years now, and their quality programming and coaches keep me going back. What distinguishes them from other "functional fitness" gyms?

1. Inclusivity and body/ability positivity - It doesn't matter your shape or ability level. Coaches will find a way for you to start or continue your fitness journey

2. Quality programming and coaching - I would routinely injure myself at my old gym. I juries are rare at Solcana because I'm taught how to do things the right way and programmed in a way that I don't hurt my back or strain my shoulder.

3. LGBTQ and BIPOC centered - Solcana does their best to be a welcoming community for all and centers people who are typically marginalized. As someone who is privileged enough to benefit from our society, I'm happy to support and join a gym as an ally to all marginalized people.

Hannah has built an amazing community, and I love it.

Friendly gym with welcoming vibe for all. LGBTQ+, size and age diverse, women-owned. I’m in the 50+ class and have never worked out in such a supportive environment. Make extra time to find parking in the evening.

Best gym ever! Trans and queer led, offers black strength, trans strength and masters (50+) strength classes, etc. Incredibly body positve, to the degree that i have never heard any staff ever initiate a conversation about weightloss or muscle building unless someone asked first. Even then, its hardly ever mentioned. I have always felt welcome safe and included as short, wide, queer, late 50s woman with injury restrictions. It's one of the only places where I can say things like 'l am a power lifter' and no one looks at me like I am nuts, or 'oh that's so cute she thinks she can lift things' or like I am some super role model. I am just an athlete like anyone else.

Truly the most comfortable and rewarding gym experience I've ever had! The coaches are patient, knowledgeable, kind, ability-inclusive, and helpful. I have loved every workout because of the atmosphere here

Best. Gym. Ever. I joined Solcana right after it opened and it is an amazing fitness experience! While I took a break for a couple years...for reasons ... I'm back now doing the women over 50 programming. Such a supportive, affirming environment!

I’ve been a member of Solcana for about 9 months and am so glad I finally joined! I have confidence in the programming/coaching and have made some nice gains already. While there’s good fitness to be had here, there’s also a diverse and inclusive group of people to build community with. I’m hooked!

Solcana is wonderful!!! The people who attend class, and the coaches are all amazing and supportive! If you are looking for a place to feel comfortable and welcome in your exercise journey Solcana is the place!

I feel really grateful to have found this space. I’ve been immediately welcomed to the community with warmth and have been encouraged to be my strongest and happiest self. This gym aligns with my values in supporting strength and training without any emphasis on restriction, diet, and weight loss. I’m excited for the growth and gains this space will guide me to!

LOVE Solcana. I immediately felt comfortable and cared for. The staff is all so friendly and positive. In my whole life I have never liked working out, until I came to Solcana. It’s so surprising! I now I have a passion for exercise that I honestly thought I would never have!

This gym is great. As someone who had never been to the gym before, EmPower was very approachable and a great place to start. Would recommend to my fellow anxious folks who are nervous and not very confident about exercising in public! ❤

I'm so happy to have found Solcana! I recently signed up for a membership after finishing the [Em]power beginner's program. [Em]Power was a fun, safe, welcoming way to see if Solcana was a fit for me. As a fat person, it can be hard to find a gym that feels comfortable, and Solcana goes the extra mile to be a safe place for people who might feel embraced in other gym settings.