The new South Block location at Dulles International Airport (photo courtesy of South Block)
An Arlington-based chain of health-conscious eateries is now catering to more than just local diners.
South Block began serving customers at Dulles International Airport on Monday, Dec. 30, opening up its collection of smoothies, acai bowls and cold-pressed juice to travelers.
Walk into almost any gym in January, and it’s packed.
Walk into that same gym a few months later, and it’s noticeably quieter.
It isn’t because people stopped wanting to be healthier. It’s because most people eventually run into the same problem:
They simply don’t know what to do.
You download a workout plan. You watch videos online. You try different machines. You spend time figuring out exercises, wondering if you’re doing them correctly, and hoping you’ll eventually see results.
For busy adults, that approach rarely lasts.
That’s one reason personalized training has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the fitness industry.
Instead of paying for access to equipment, people are investing in coaching, accountability, and a plan that’s built specifically for them.
That shift is happening nationwide — and locally, Alloy Personal Training has become the go-to answer for busy adults across Northern Virginia.
At Alloy Personal Training, every member follows a personalized program based on their goals, current fitness level, and any limitations they may have. Every workout is coached by a professional trainer, so there’s never any guesswork about what to do next.
Most members train just two or three times each week in 55-minute sessions, making it realistic to fit fitness into a busy schedule.
Unlike large group classes where everyone performs the same workout, Alloy’s small-group format allows each person to follow their own individualized program while still benefiting from the energy and accountability of training alongside others.
For many members, that’s the difference.
It’s not about finding more motivation.
It’s about removing the obstacles that cause people to quit.
You don’t need to spend hours researching workouts.
You don’t need to wonder whether you’re making progress.
You simply show up, and your coach takes care of the rest.
Whether your goal is to build strength, lose weight, improve energy, stay active as you get older, or simply feel better every day, consistency matters more than perfection.
And consistency becomes much easier when you have a plan designed specifically for you.
That’s why more adults throughout Northern Virginia are moving away from traditional gyms and choosing a more personalized approach to fitness.
If you’ve been thinking about getting back into a routine—but haven’t found something you could truly stick with—Alloy Personal Training invites you to experience it for yourself.
Your complimentary Starting Point Session includes a conversation about your goals, an InBody body composition analysis, a movement assessment, and a personalized roadmap designed around you.
With studios in Falls Church, Reston, and Fairfax City, Alloy helps busy adults train smarter—not longer.
Schedule your complimentary Starting Point Session today and discover why so many of your neighbors have made the switch.
After closing last Sept. 15, the health-conscious, fast-casual restaurant reopened under its new branding at 11 a.m. today (Thursday) at 14385 Newbrook Drive, Suite 500, in Chantilly’s The Field at Commonwealth shopping center.
A vacant office building formerly occupied by Inova Health System at 2990 Telestar Court in Merrifield is being converted to affordable housing (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
A project to convert a vacant office building in Merrifield into workforce housing could move forward this year.
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) and private developer Conifer Realty are in the midst of negotiations with Inova Health Care Services to acquire the four-story office building at 2990 Telestar Court, according to FCRHA spokesperson Allyson Pearce.
Come and learn about NVHC! Meet the Clergy, chat with other congregants, and see the sanctuary. Get to know our welcoming, vibrant, Reform Jewish community and enjoy some ice cream.
A "coming soon" sign for De Clieu Coffee and Sandwich has been erected outside 2235 Soapstone Drive in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The new year will bring a new coffee and snack spot to Reston.
De Clieu Coffee and Sandwich has boarded up the windows of a vacant commercial building at 2235 Soapstone Drive near 7-Eleven in anticipation of opening its third location in Northern Virginia later this winter.
Flags fly at half-staff over the water fountain at Vienna’s Town Green (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Lightning Strikes D.C. Landmarks — “2024 did not go out with a whimper, as storms moved into the region on New Year’s Eve, producing heavy rain, wind gusts and prompting a tornado warning and lightning strikes at two iconic D.C. structures. Lightning struck the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol Tuesday night as the storms rolled through the District.” [WTOP]
Rep. Connolly Reacts to New Orleans Attack — “I am heartbroken by the horrific attack in New Orleans. My heart is with the victims, their families, and the people of New Orleans. Thank you to every first responder who ran toward danger to protect innocent lives.” [Rep. Gerry Connolly/Twitter]
Fairfax City Police Investigate Shots-Fired Incident — “Police are asking the public’s help in identifying the person who shot a firearm around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday in the 9900 block of Fairfax Square. This is the second such shooting in the neighborhood” in December. No injuries or property damage were reported, but bullet casings were found. [Patch]
South County Sees Rebound in Tourism — “Visit Fairfax, the county’s destination marketing organization, is upbeat about the post-pandemic resurgence of tourism in Southeast Fairfax County — particularly in the resource- and attraction-rich parts of the Mount Vernon District.” Attractions like the Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House and the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton reported upticks in visitors for 2024. [On the MoVe]
Police Seek Suspects in Annandale Home Burglary — “On December 27, at 2:48 p.m., officers responded to the 3300 block of Elm Terrace in Annandale for a residential burglary alarm. The complainant reported seeing two suspects enter her home on surveillance cameras. After activating an audible alarm, the suspects fled prior to police arrival.” [FCPD]
Tysons Marriott Hotel Sold — “The Tysons Corner Marriott has sold for nearly $63.9 million, or $161,227 per key, to a New York real estate investment management firm that appears to be making its first entry into Greater Washington’s hospitality market. The sale, to an affiliate of Prospect Ridge, was recorded Dec. 5, per Fairfax County land records.” [Washington Business Journal]
Incoming Fairfax City Council Member Gets Engaged — “As if getting elected to the Fairfax City Council didn’t make 2024 special enough for Anthony Amos, he decided to cap the year off by getting engaged … Monterrosa and Amos first met in Hawaii in 2018. The couple has set Sept. 20, 2025 as a tentative date for their wedding ceremony.” [Patch]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high temperature near 40 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 11 to 16 mph and gusts up to 28 mph. For Thursday night, the conditions will be mostly clear with a low temperature around 29 degrees and a west wind at 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
☀️ Wednesday’s forecast
Mostly sunny skies are expected today, with comfortable afternoon temperatures reaching the low 70s, making for a pleasant day. As the evening progresses, scattered clouds will begin to appear along with light winds, cooling the temperatures down into the mid 50s overnight. Tomorrow, expect an increase in cloud cover leading to a chance of showers in the afternoon, followed by steadier rain towards the evening. See more from Weather.gov.
Individuals call attention to homelessness in Reston near a newly cleared homelessness encampment on the morning of Sept. 10, 2024 (staff file photo by Fatimah Waseem)
With 2025 on the horizon, FFXnow is taking a final look back at the past year in Fairfax County news.
In the past, we’ve closed out the year by reviewing the 10 most-read stories, but with “best restaurant” rankings taking up nearly half of the top 10 spots (in case you’ve ever wondered why we cover every shoutout to a local establishment by the Washington Post, Washingtonian or another outlet), we’re going to instead highlight the most memorable stories of this year.
New Year’s Day will bring a number of new laws and regulations into effect across Virginia.
While legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed by the governor typically has an effective date of the start of the state government’s fiscal year on July 1, some measures are delayed until Jan. 1 each year.