NEW PATHWAYS TO FITNESS

In 2026, we’re done grinding—we’re upgrading. If your workout feels like you’re running in place (literally), you’re not alone. More people than ever are ditching the same old treadmill routine and looking for smarter, more energizing ways to get fit.

The good news? Wilmington, NC and the surrounding areas are full of fresh options that make movement exciting again. From innovative strength concepts to community-driven experiences, here are our top picks for shaking up your fitness routine this year.

By Kaylee Marshall

Wilmington Latin Dance

Q&A with Owner, Summer McPherson

Wilmington Latin Dance offers more than just dance classes. What sets your approach apart from traditional dance studios, and how does it help people build confidence, connection, and overall well-being?

When you come to our studio and take classes, that is one part of the experience. You will learn how to dance Salsa, Bachata or another style of Latin Dance with fellow students. What sets us apart is the opportunity to put your new skills to work on the dance floor! We host multiple events around town, giving you a chance to meet people, visit new venues, support local businesses, practice what you've learned, and enjoy social connections. One of the biggest surprises most people new to our community find is how many others are brand new to dancing. We welcome those of all levels, but it's amazing to see folks who have never danced before come in and learn! Everyone has their own goals when learning to dance Latin. It could be a bucket list item, to connect with or learn about cultures, to meet people, or find a more "fun" way to exercise. While achieving those goals, you are also immersed in a wonderful community of people from different cultures, backgrounds, and ages who enjoy Latin dancing. Our classes and events become something you look forward to, and you find yourself clearing your calendars to make time to dance.

Who are your classes designed for, and how do you make Latin dance accessible and enjoyable for everyone?

Our classes are designed for anyone willing to learn. We offer a variety of Beginner classes in our studio for those with no Latin dance experience, as well as higher-level classes for those continuing to grow on their dance journey. These classes are structured as 4-Week Progressive Group Courses or Drop-In Classes. Within the first week or one drop in class, you'll learn the basic steps to get you ready for the dance floor. In addition to our studio classes, all community events start with a short Beginner Lesson. Some of our events are free, and some are earlier in the day or evening, with the goal of making the chance to learn and dance as accessible as possible.

Many people feel intimidated trying dance for the first time. What can someone expect during their first class at Wilmington Latin Dance, and how do you create a welcoming, low-pressure environment?

Feeling intimidated is totally understandable. You might see people dancing together and wonder, 'How do they do that?!" I like to remind everyone that we all started somewhere! If you're coming into one of our classes or events for the first time, you'll get to learn the basic steps from the ground up and get to practice to music. We also introduce these basic steps in partnerwork so you'll get to feel how they work together while dancing with another person. It's like learning a new language and having a conversation with someone, but without the words and put to music! It's best to see our students rotate partners and be excited to try again. We laugh a lot in our classes. Our team of instructors is both incredibly knowledgeable and funny! We are grateful for this beautiful music and dance. It's a joy to share it, and we like to keep it a fun experience for everyone.

How do you see Latin dance fitting into a broader wellness and lifestyle routine?

Latin dance is a fantastic addition to your lifestyle routine; it is a lifestyle all on its own! There are hundreds of studies showing that dancing is incredibly beneficial for our physical, mental, and emotional health. The added benefit for our Latin dance community is that not only will you be learning something new, but you'll also get to do so in a social environment, dancing with different partners and seeing familiar faces in classes and events. It's a wonderful shake-up to "nightlife" or going out. It also means less time scrolling and more time being with others, connecting, and moving together. With multiple opportunities throughout the month to learn, dance, and socialise, you'll have a fun addition to look forward to on your calendar.

Osteostrong

Q&A with Owner, Candace Vivian

As a certified herbalist, registered yoga teacher and a Duke Health and Wellbeing graduate, Candace Vivian has always been interested in alternative therapies. Before moving to Wilmington, while living in Sedona, Arizona, she was first introduced to the concept of Osteostrong.

What makes Osteostrong unique?

OsteoStrong is built on the science of osteogenic loading—the application of brief, targeted forces to the skeletal system to stimulate growth and adaptation.

When bones experience stress—particularly rapid, high-intensity force—they respond by becoming stronger. This principle is grounded in Wolff’s Law, which states that bone tissue remodels itself according to the demands placed upon it. Properly applied stress signals the body to increase bone density and structural integrity.

OsteoStrong’s specialized equipment enables individuals to safely exert very high levels of force through controlled pushing or pulling movements. Even though each effort lasts only seconds, it activates large muscle groups and engages powerful neurological pathways, enhancing both muscular and skeletal response.

What can readers expect when starting at Osteostrong?

A first OsteoStrong session feels very different from a typical gym workout. After a brief assessment, a trained coach guides you through four specialized machines. Each effort lasts just 10–15 seconds, focused on a single, powerful push or pull against high resistance. It’s high-intensity but low-impact—no cardio, no repetitive lifting, no exhaustion. Most people describe it as challenging, empowering, and safe.

In just 10–15 minutes, you deliver a strong stimulus to your bones and nervous system—without stressing your joints. Every session is fully guided to ensure proper positioning and maximum benefit.

Done once a week, OsteoStrong fits easily into any fitness routine. It strengthens the skeletal and nervous systems that support all movement, serving as a foundation that enhances everything else you do for your health.

RC Surf Instruction

Q&A with Owner & Surf Instructor Ryan Cassidy

Can you share a bit about your personal background and what led you to surfing and eventually founding RC Surf Instruction?

I grew up drawn to the ocean. Surfing started as something fun and challenging, but over time it became much more than that. It became a space where I felt grounded, clear-headed, and confident. The ocean has a way of stripping everything down to the present moment. As I continued surfing, I realized how transformative that experience could be for other people. What began as giving a few lessons naturally evolved into building RC Surf Instruction. I wanted to create a space where anyone, regardless of age or ability, could experience that same sense of accomplishment and connection in the water.

Surfing is often seen as both a sport and a lifestyle. How do you view it as a pathway to fitness?

Surfing is one of the most complete forms of fitness. It builds strength, endurance, balance, mobility, and coordination all at once. But beyond the physical benefits, it’s incredibly powerful for mental wellness. When you’re in the ocean, you are fully present. You cannot rush it, control it, or distract yourself from it. That presence builds resilience and confidence. The rhythm of the waves, the salt air, and the challenge of learning something new create a unique combination of physical exertion and mental clarity that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.

What makes RC Surf Instruction unique when it comes to teaching style?

At RC Surf Instruction, confidence comes before performance. My approach is structured, safe, and supportive. I focus on meeting people exactly where they are, whether they’re an athlete or someone who has never stepped into the ocean before.

Every lesson is about building trust—with the water, and with yourself. I break skills down in a way that feels achievable, celebrate small wins, and create an environment where people feel encouraged rather than judged. The goal isn’t just to stand up on a wave. It’s to leave feeling stronger and more capable than when you arrived.

For someone who is curious about surfing what can they expect from their first lesson with you?

They can expect patience, clarity, and a lot of encouragement. We start with safety and fundamentals on the sand so nothing feels rushed. I explain the ocean in a way that makes it less intimidating and more understandable. By the time we head into the water, students feel prepared. Most people surprise themselves. Even if they don’t stand up on their first wave, they leave realizing they’re capable of more than they thought. That shift in mindset is often the most powerful part of the experience.

9Round

Q&A with Owner Lynnette Spinelli

As a fitness brand, 9Round started over 13 years ago in Greenville, SC. Owner Lynnette Spinelli's journey with 9Round began 10 years ago when she joined a studio in Charlotte. "The 9Round program changed my life and helped me get in the best shape ever," says Spinelli. "While our youngest daughter was a student at UNCW, we began spending more time in Wilmington and fell in love with the community. We also noticed there was not a 9Round in the area. My husband and I began researching the franchise's business side, moved to Wilmington 7 years ago and opened our first location in Ogden over 6 years ago. This was followed by two additional locations, each a year later."

What makes 9Round unique?

9Round is the premiere workout for busy people. 9Round is circuit training with a kickboxing theme, but not all stations use kickboxing. There are no class times, so you work out on your schedule. Show up anytime and get a fantastic workout in 30 minutes. High-intensity circuit training allows for maximum efficiency. Because you change stations and exercises every 3 minutes, the workouts are engaging, always exciting and keep you focused. The workouts change every day and can be scaled to any fitness level. Punching a bag is also an incredibly stress-relieving activity! Instructors teach kickboxing techniques, so no experience is necessary. Our innovative workout screens run a continuous loop demonstrating the day's exercises. Each session is designed to be a total body workout. We have recently added a 24/7 model so members can truly catch a session any day and any time.

What can readers expect when signing up to 9Round for the first time? 9Round offers a complimentary trial session to check out what our program is all about. That session is a one on one with an instructor who will guide the individual through the circuit and teach some kickboxing basics if new to it. Members can also expect ongoing fitness instruction, body composition analysis to monitor progress, kickboxing workshops and member events, accountability check-ins and great customer service.

Anytime Fitness

Q&A with General Manager Ashlee Uebele

Ashlee Uebele has been the General Manager of the Anytime Fitness gym in Wilmington, NC, for the past 6 years. After graduating with a Business and Fashion Design degree, she worked at The NY Post and Salvatore Ferragamo. But when she moved to Wilmington, her career path turned to the fitness industry. "My father owns the gyms, and our dream has always been to open a family business together," says Ashlee. "My husband Alex and I started from the bottom and worked our way up to managing the gyms together. We've gone through all the roles from the front desk, personal trainer, and General Manager. To this day, we all work together and love every minute. We all learn so much from each other and love helping people strive to become healthier versions of themselves. We are family-run and strive to have that as the vibe in our gyms. Everyone is welcome; we all know each other and are all rooting each other on whether they're trying to lose weight, gain weight, run a marathon, deadlift, etc. The list goes on. We really have the best and most supportive communities in our gyms."

What makes Anytime Fitness unique?

We're not just a 'gym'. We're a family, always looking out for each other. Our team, all fitness enthusiasts, share a true passion for helping others. We offer a wide range of free group fitness classes, including Yoga, Spin, Aerial, Mobility, Deadlifting, Beach Bootcamps, Zumba, Silver Sneakers, Kickboxing, and more. These classes are designed to cater to a variety of fitness needs and preferences, ensuring that there's something for everyone. Our trainers have extensive experience working with individuals of all fitness levels and a variety of fitness needs, from hip replacements and shoulder injuries to MS, Diabetes, long-term injuries, weight gain, weight loss, spinal cord injuries, and chronic pain. We're here to support your fitness journey, regardless of your starting point. What’s more, as a member, you will have 24/7 FREE Private access to all the 5,000+ locations worldwide, allowing you to maintain your fitness routine even when you’re on the go.

What can readers expect when signing up to Anytime Fitness?

If you are signing up for the first time with us, you can expect to have a supportive team cheering you on the whole way. Guiding, encouraging, picking you up when you think you need to do more. I've said it before, and I'll repeat it, we truly have the best team and the most amazing members. We have lifelong friends because of it. If you don't believe me, please try us out for free! We'd love to show you what we're all about.