By Tim Seyfert

When thinking of fitness centers, rarely do things like oil paintings, watercolor portraits or black-and-white photography spring to mind.

Yet, at one Mountain View exercise facility, these are as much a part of a well-rounded workout as treadmills and Nautilus machines.

Since opening its doors in September 2001, Lift Fitness on San Antonio Road has been more than just a place to sweat, flex and pump. By devoting a portion of its 2,300-square-foot space to an art gallery, the fitness center offers clients a chance to bulk up their senses while burning calories and toning their muscles.

“We’re not just a gym,” said Daphne Allen, one of the owners. “We’re an escape.”

Along with co-owner Joseph Camp, Allen uses art to give the club’s roughly 100 members “something pleasant to look at while exercising,” she said. Every corner of the workout room yields a solid view of the gallery, which showcases the work of a different local artist every three months.

The one criterion: Only art that’s uplifting will hang on the walls, nothing “freaky or disturbing,” Allen said.

Typical artworks include watercolor landscapes; oil renderings of well-known pieces, such as Michelangelo’s “David”; and arty photographs of animals or people. All items are for sale and available for viewing through the club’s periodic art shows.

For Duke Collins, the club’s current resident artist, the fitness facility serves as an ideal venue for his figurative painting style.

“I deal a lot with faces and bodies, so it’s a pretty fitting place to showcase my stuff,” he said. ” Art is something that can be shown anywhere as long as there are people there to appreciate it.”

For Los Altos resident Susan Goldman, the ever-changing eye-candy serves as athletic enhancement for her weekly workout sessions.

“It definitely sets a nice mood before I do my weights,” she said. “It really helps you to leave behind any outside distractions. I always like walking in and seeing what’s new.”

The gallery is intended to be a two-way winning street for both the club and the artists, according to Allen.

“It’s giving local artists a chance to show their stuff, but also giving us a chance to view some beautiful images at the same time,” Allen said. “Everyone seems happy with it so far.”

Lift Fitness operates on an appointment-only basis at $70 a session. The club’s clientele consists largely of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents, according to Allen, with services including weight training, cardio-machines, Pilates and massage.

Still, even with its slew of fitness options, both the club’s staff and clients agree that the club’s art gallery remains the ultimate inspiration for perspiration.

“We’re very sensory-oriented creatures,” Allen said. “Looking at nice things is energizing, which works well when it comes to exercise.”

Lift Fitness is located at 284 San Antonio Road. For more information, call 949-3031 or logon to www.liftfitness.com.