[image]
[title]The new fitness studio in Avenidas Novas branches out from a long beige corridor into its various training disciplines. Form, Build, Barre and Yoga – the space was designed to meet more than one fitness need, but above all to provide a sense of escape as soon as you walk through the door. ‘We designed this space to be minimalist, somewhere your gaze can rest, where you can leave the stress of the city behind and find a kind of calm,’ explains Guga, one of the three partners behind Reset Society.
The interiors are by Alca Design Studio, which gave the space its beige palette and balanced straight lines with curved surfaces. The harmony is complete, thanks in part to Joana Forjaz’s lighting design. Across three rooms, Reset Society accommodates different training experiences – strength training for up to eight people, resistance training on reformer machines for six, and a studio equipped for barre classes, inspired by the movements and postures of classical ballet, as well as vinyasa and yin yoga. The former is more physically demanding, while the latter takes a contemplative and meditative approach.
After just one week of opening, strength training had already emerged as the most popular option. ‘We realised there was a gap in the market when it came to strength classes. Usually, people either have a personal trainer, which is great but, because it is more expensive, is not accessible to everyone, or they attend group classes with lots of people and end up feeling a little lost. Even those classes often mix strength and cardio, which is not ideal for building muscle. Here, we only work on strength,’ explains the owner, who created the space with two friends.
‘Clear the mind. Ride the tiger’
Reset Society operates exclusively through classes, which are spread across three periods – morning, lunchtime and the end of the day. Bookings are made online using a credit system, with credits included in class packs and monthly memberships, which require a two-month commitment. A €55 welcome pack allows you to try up to four classes and is valid for four weeks. The remaining packs range from €84 to €450, covering between four and 30 classes. Monthly memberships start at €75 for up to five classes and rise to €345 for up to 28 sessions.
But the options are not limited to physical exertion. There is an infrared sauna for up to six people, which can also be booked using class credits, and a massage room, with services charged separately. The reception area will soon become a small shop selling official merchandise, Tarwi supplements and Sava electrolytes, both Portuguese brands. Available from day one are smoothies made by neighbouring restaurant Olivia. Order before your workout and the drink will be ready when you leave.
‘It is important to us that people stay here to have their smoothie, socialise and get to know one another a little better. They say the gym is a great place to make friends, but in reality that does not happen. We try to encourage that – we want to foster a sense of community. Our main goal is to promote mental wellbeing, whether through physical exercise or through community. Although we are increasingly connected digitally, we are less connected in the real world. That is why, at Reset Society, we really want to create community experiences,’ she says.
Under the motto ‘Clear the mind. Ride the tiger’, the studio aims to offer more than an escape from the bustle of everyday life. ‘We believe that physical exercise can help us practise being present and achieve a clearer mind,’ adds Guga, who admits that the early days will be a process of constant improvement and that the three partners also want to open the space up to a programme of events. For now, there is a listening party on the horizon. This society is prepared to do whatever it takes to cultivate a sense of belonging.
Avenida Visconde de Valmor, 50B (Campo Pequeno). Mon–Fri 7am–9pm, Sat 9am–1pm.