Spry Fitness, located at 2222 Pico Blvd., opened its doors this month under the ownership of Evan Spry, a Santa Monica resident who transitioned from teaching history to pursuing his passion for fitness and community building. "I chose Santa Monica as the location for my gym, one, because I am a Santa Monica resident," he said. "But two, Santa Monica is the most neighborhood-like area I have found in LA. I am attracted to the community Santa Monica has to offer because many residents in Santa Monica have lived here for a long time, and I want to be ingrained in this loyal community." For Santa Monica residents seeking a personalized approach to fitness in a neighborhood setting, Spry Fitness offers an alternative to larger commercial gyms, with an owner who lives in the community and understands its character.