This review is based on my experience with Solcana both before, during, and after the state-wide…read moreCOVID shutdown. I'll leave the obligatory note that COVID is still a real threat to everyone's health, and I am glad Solcana is one of the businesses in Minneapolis that is truly taking it seriously. I've been a member of Solcana for nearly a year, and before COVID, the gym itself operated much like many crossfit gyms, with lots of classes, good equipment, and a friendly atmosphere. There has always been a strong focus here on equity and equality (at least as long as we have been members), and that's one of the main reasons why we chose to join. That focus has only become stronger over the past year, and I will touch on it a bit later.
When COVID came around, Solcana, like all other gyms, shut down. I have to hand it to them though, they really tried hard to keep delivering a quality product to members, mostly through online classes. After the state started allowing gyms to open up on a limited basis, outdoor barbell classes began again. I've observed quite a few post-covid outdoor classes run by other gyms (whether out on a bike ride or in the park by my house), and many of them have seemed to completely ignore social distancing guidelines. Solcana has been completely different; all of the outdoor classes have felt really safe, with specific areas marked out for every athlete, small class sizes, and strict cleaning practices.
This week, we were allowed to go back inside. However, that didn't mean Solcana relaxed their commitment to safety...if anything, they strengthened it. Indoor classes are even smaller, the distance between athletes has grown, masks are mandatory all of the time, and they are making sure everything is cleaned between classes (and there's at least an hour between classes). There are also still outdoor classes, depending on what type of workout you want and how safe you feel indoors. Even with all the new safety practices, the programming has been great, and we feel like we are getting a lot out of our membership, despite not being able to go as much as we were able to before (due to smaller class sizes and fewer classes, there is now a limit on classes per month, but that's completely understandable).
Back to social justice...in the wake of the tragedy surrounding George Floyd, Solcana made an even stronger commitment to promoting equity and equality for all, and that's included doing even more with the BLM movement. The gym as de-affiliated from crossfit because of their comments/positions following the tragedy, but aside from not using that name any more (or giving them any money), the programming is pretty much exactly what you would expect from that type of gym. You will also find that this gym is extremely welcoming of all athletes, no matter who you are, what you look like, or how you identify, a trait not all CF gyms share.
All in all, this is a wonderful, welcoming fitness community that promotes social justice AND takes COVID very seriously. The owner herself told me that she wants to be the safest gym in the Twin Cities, and so far, it seems they are succeeding.