LIVING LA VIDA LOCA

Forget the supermarket wars, here come the gym wars. First skirmish, Vida vs. Results vs. Mint Fitness. Capital City Brewing chief David von Storch is launching Vida, whose $2.7 million flagship gym is scheduled to open downtown/Gallery Place Aug. 23 at Verizon Center.

But with the second Vida is where it gets interesting. In August 2007, Vida #2 will open in Logan Circle at the Metropole at 15th and P streets NW. According to the WaBizJournal, Von Storch says he's challenging: Results gym at 1620 U St. NW, which is down the street in Adams Morgan from newcomer Mint Fitness.

Von Storch, who owns the building with Results and Bang Salon (which he owns too), will try to force Results out when their lease is up. But Vida will get competition too, when trainer Stuart Smith opens a three-story, 20,000-square-foot fitness center called "Body Smith at Terrell Place" in June around the corner from the planned Vida. Keeping this straight?

Also joining the fray: New York-based fitness chain, Equinox, is working to acquire dc gyms, and Washington Sports is opening a 50,000-square-foot club at DC USA project in Columbia Heights when that project is finished. Whew.