The health and fitness industry continues to grow in the Wilmington area, with several gyms expanding into the market or expanding their presence in the region.

Megarounds, a fitness studio in the works on the ground floor of Pier 33 Apartments in downtown Wilmington, will be the first studio in the Port City – and North Carolina – to teach Lagree method workouts and use Megaformer and VersaClimber machines, said Megarounds owner Melissa Reeck.

Lagree is performed on a Megaformer machine, which is similar to reformers used in Pilates. However, the Megaformer workout is more intense and targets muscular development, cardio endurance, and mental endurance.

“Unlike Pilates, which is low intensity, low impact, this is high intensity but low impact,” Reeck said.
The VersaClimbers complement the Lagree workout by providing a low-impact but high-intensity cardio exercise. The machine uses the lower and upper body and provides a workout similar to a spin class or a session on an elliptical, Reeck said.

Reeck signed a lease for the roughly 1,400-square-foot space at 30 Harnett St. in March, which is currently being built into a fitness studio. Construction began about a month ago and is expected to wrap up this fall. She chose the spot because of its location – near the Cape Fear River and Live Oak Bank Pavilion – and the area’s continued growth.

“I wanted to bring business and awareness and sort of a different demographic to downtown,” she said. “So that’s why I picked the space, as well.”

Reeck said the studio will eventually house nine Megaformers and nine VersaClimbers. She wants to bring a “nightclub feel” into the studio, “so it’s going to be darker in the studio, gorgeous lighting in there, lighting synched to the music,” she said.

Reeck trained to teach Lagree in 2021 and previously taught at a studio in Wilmington. She now offers classes out of her home. She will also be certified to teach VersaClimber classes at the end of the month, and she plans to play an active role as an instructor at Megarounds.

“This is my baby. I definitely want to be in the studio every day,” Reeck said, “training, starting to establish the vibe, the feeling that I want to convey.”

Another gym that intends to bring a different vibe and national chain to midtown is Crunch Fitness, coming to 356 S. College Road.

Crunch Fitness started in New York City’s Greenwich Village in 1989 as a welcoming place for a diverse group of people to get fit.

Crunch recognizes Wilmington as a market with a health-conscious community, aligning well with its mission of making fitness accessible, inclusive and fun for everyone, officials said.

“The city’s diverse population and increasing interest in wellness make it an ideal location for our unique approach to fitness,” said assistant general manager Sara Severt.

Crunch officials expect the gym to become a key player in the Wilmington fitness community by providing a welcoming and nonintimidating environment where everyone feels comfortable regardless of fitness level.

“We aim to attract a diverse membership base, foster a strong sense of community and become a go-to fitness destination for people looking for a supportive atmosphere, innovative classes and state-of-the-art equipment,” Severt said. “We anticipate a positive response from the local community, leading to strong membership growth and engagement.”

She said Crunch Fitness focuses on creating a positive and enjoyable experience that keeps members motivated and engaged.

Crunch offers a variety of group fitness classes, from high-intensity interval training and dance-based workouts to yoga and Pilates. In addition to equipment, Crunch facilities feature certified personal trainers and an energetic environment designed to motivate and inspire. They also offer flexible membership options for different needs and budgets.

Crunch Fitness plans to open its new location by the end of fall 2024.

O2 Fitness, a familiar face in the Wilmington area with two locations, will expand to Leland, in Leland Town Center, in early 2025.

The expansion to the northern Brunswick County town follows a series of consolidations in 2022 when O2 closed its Porters Neck and Mayfaire locations. At one point in 2018, O2 had five locations in Wilmington.

“We have had our eye on Leland for a very long time and seeing all the growth there is what is exciting for us,” said Justin Mascho, senior vice president of O2. “We are excited to have the right partner to get it done.”

Wilson Blount Development is working on the Leland project for O2. The chain’s Wilmington locations include 200 Racine Drive and 1315 Independence Blvd. The Leland location will be nearly 8,000 square feet larger than O2’s Hanover Center signature gym.

“We are not a gym but a wellness destination,” Mascho said, pointing out the club’s amenities.
Within the more than 35,000-square-foot facility will be fitness equipment, nutrition services, physiotherapy and nearly 7,000 square feet of outdoor and indoor training turf.

“We have registered dietitians on our team to navigate nutritional information and specifically target it to our members,” Mascho said. “And our Renew Physiotherapy is our on-site physiotherapy services that include cupping, dry needling and physical therapy, allowing members to perform at a high level.”