Barry's, the high-intensity fitness chain with a cult following in the D.C. area, opens its first Maryland studio on Saturday on Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The opening gives Montgomery County residents a local alternative to the chain's D.C. and Arlington locations.

The Bethesda studio is Barry's fourth in the Washington region, joining two District locations and one in Arlington, Virginia, according to a July 15 Patch report. Founded in 1998 in West Hollywood, the company now operates more than 96 studios across 17 countries.

Barry's is known for its 50-minute classes inside a dimly red-lit space called the "Red Room." Sessions split time between treadmill cardio intervals and floor-based strength training, with each day targeting a different muscle group: Monday is Arms & Abs, Tuesday is Full Body with a lower-body focus, and the rotation continues through Sunday. The chain also offers a dedicated strength class called LIFT and an indoor cycling format called RIDE.

Clients who prefer not to run can book a "double floor" spot and spend the full session on strength work, according to the company's website. Classes cap at 44 participants.

"No more riding into D.C. for Red Room workouts," Bethesda blogger Robert Dyer wrote on Monday, July 20, announcing the opening date on his site.

Grand opening and pricing

Grand opening festivities on Saturday, July 25, will include brunch bites and photo opportunities, Patch reported. Special opening rates are available, including an $85 Bethesda 5-Pack that can be used to bring guests during the first month, according to Dyer's blog.

Full pricing and membership options are listed at barrys.com/pricing/bethesda. Residents can book classes and view the schedule at barrys.com.