If you want a pumped up body as though it were chiseled by a Roman sculptor, then Marcus Aurelius fitness center would be a good place to visit.

The club, which opened two years ago is located in Moscow’s eastern suburb and has a good reputation among industry insiders.

The club’s name honors the Roman Emperor and military leader Mark Aurelius. Whether he was as ripped muscularly as his statue remains unknown, but club owners believe Aurelius is a good example to emulate. The cool name probably helped as well.

However barbaric his name may sound, the center’s director, Vladimir Turchinsky (a.k.a. "Gladiator Dynamite") does not walk around in helmet and sword or grunt. Having held the title of "Russia’s Strongest Man" in 1998, Turchinsky is certainly qualified to show people how to build mass and strength.

Mark Aurelius has two spacious halls totaling 1,000 sq meters of floor space. The rooms are well equipped with state-of-the-art German machines. Don’t worry about suffocating here. The halls are equipped with climate control systems, which means that even when the club is overcrowded with sweaty people, you will be able to breathe freely.

The first hall is a cardiovascular area. Here you can find dumbbells ranging from 1 kilo to 70 kilos. The bars are easily adjustable for desired loading. Precor running machines, skiing simulators, Tectrix bike machines and step machines fill out the rest of the room.

The second hall is a weight machine area. It is equipped with Gym-80 and Accept machines, which simulate freestyle weight lifting. The machines are designed to ensure safety. Professional trainers who have won competitions are on hand to offer help or advice. Here you will also find step, slide, cycle, workout and dance classes. Within each of them, there are primary, intermediate and advanced levels.

You can learn almost all the dances of the world — from Latin to modern jazz.

If you prefer something "harder," there is a boxing area where trainers teach the art of hit and duck. Drop any preconceived notions against boxing — it is a good sport to develop your reaction speed, increase your ability to stay calm and overcome difficulties.

"In addition to boxing, our patrons can try Tai Kwon Do," Turchinsky said. "In addition to force, dexterity and flexibility, Tae Kwon Do will boost your spirit."

Whether you pump iron or do step aerobics, make a visit to the massage area after your workout for a relaxing rub down. You can chose between classical, sporting, relaxing and anti-cellulite massage. The center also offers Shiatsu Japanese massage.

You can receive various skin- and face-care services at the center’s cosmetology and phyto-therapy area. The center can advise you on how to chose cosmetics. Sessions cost from 500 to 900 rubles a go. However, an initial checkup is free and includes diagnostics of your skin, hair and nails and relevant consultations on the choice of cosmetics and services.

Turchinsky claims that the clubs phyto-therapists can help you achieve better results. "They will prepare healthy herbal extracts or creams for you with respect to your body’s specific problems," he said. "These products will not only normalize hormonal balance, but will cure aches in your joints and build up your muscles."

Mark Aurelius has a cozy bar offering a wide selection of freshly-squeezed juices as well as fruit and milk cocktails, salads, dietary dishes and stamina-boosting food.

You can purchase vitamin and mineral supplements, protein drinks and carbohydrate-enhanced products at a sports store located next door to the reception desk. Sportswear and accessories from name-brands are also on sale.

Mark Aurelius offers a membership system that is much more attractive compared to other fitness centers in the city. Individual membership is $140 per month or $90 for off-peak hours (7 a.m. to 5 p.m. plus unlimited access on weekends and holidays), membership for two is from $400 to $1,000 (for six months). Also available is a ‘morning subscription’ (from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. plus unlimited on weekends and holidays) and a corporate subscription (three people or more). A membership card only includes access to the gyms, aerobics and boxing areas, sauna, fitness testing, initial orientation and consulting. It does not include solarium, massage and sports bar which are to be paid separately. If you are undecided and just want to try it, a good choice would be a clip-card for 10 visits ($155).

MARCUS AURELIUS
71 Izmailovskoye Shosse
Gamma-Delta Building, 2nd floor
Metro: Izmailovsky Park
Tel: 166-1136
Open: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.