The boutique brand enters the NYC fitness scene with its high-intensity, low-impact workout on a patented machine that mimics the rhythms of cross-country skiing
Nrthrn Strong, formerly known as Nordic Strong, is officially opening its first permanent U.S. studio in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, which comes just months after the boutique fitness brand made a bold entrance into the U.S. market with a sold-out pop-up in the Hamptons over the summer.
The Scandinavian-inspired workout introduces a unique training modality to American fitness enthusiasts, mirroring the movements of cross-country skiing, the national sport of Norway.
“The reception we received in the Hamptons this summer was incredible. People were immediately drawn to the flow, power, and results of the Nrthrn Strong modality,” said founder and CEO Nicoline Roth. “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring our unique training method and experience to Manhattan and to open the doors to our very first permanent U.S. home in Flatiron.”
Roth, who founded the brand in 2022 in Copenhagen, revealed in an interview with Athletech News that she knew she always wanted to bring the modality to the U.S.
“We’re a very popular studio in Copenhagen. I think what drew people in in the very beginning was that it was so different,” Roth told ATN. “But we see that when people come in and they try the machine, they see it’s effective and it’s low-impact, which makes people come back.”
Nrthrn Strong’s classes are designed around the Nordic Trainer, a patented fitness machine designed to simulate the motion of cross-country skiing. The 50-minute sessions deliver a high-intensity, low-impact workout suited to all fitness levels and provide a blend of strength, cardio and mobility.
The 3,000-square-foot Flatiron space will be reminiscent of the unique Copenhagen spaces. Roth described the studios as feeling “like coming home to a family,” with Nordic-inspired light, sounds, scents, and design — like gray and earth tones — elements that embody the Danish concept of “hygge,” a sensation stemming from coziness and comfort.
In addition to a sleeker, more updated version of the machines, the Nordic Trainers will also now feature an interactive tablet that tracks performance and displays real-time workout metrics.
The new studio — located at 35 West 21st Street — will also feature all three of Nrthrn Strong’s class formats:
Signature Strong: A full-body workout that marries total-body strength training with bursts of high-intensity movement. This class alters between the Nordic Trainer machine and targeted dumbbell floor work for core, glutes, upper body and other muscles. It is designed for all levels.
Sculpt: This combines Pilates principles with deep muscle activation, centered on precision and control. Participants will use the machine to target both large and small muscle groups and work on balance. Each class ends with mindful breathing.
Cardio: A challenging, high-intensity class designed to spike heart rate with quick intervals to hone VO₂ max and endurance.
“With our patented machines, we’ve brought the powerful, full-body movement of cross-country skiing indoors,” Roth added. “It’s a dynamic, year-round workout that builds strength, endurance, and mobility, allowing our community to train like athletes in the warmth and energy of the Flatiron studio.”
