These readers’ favorite gyms help strengthen minds, bodies and spirits in Pittsboro and Siler City, NC

By Sinclair Holian | Photography by John Michael Simpson

Duke Center for Living at Fearrington

Complete with state-of-the-art equipment, a cushioned indoor track and a heated pool and hot tub, this fitness center can accommodate any health goal. Work with a personal trainer, sweat it out in the vast range of weekly group classes, exercise solo or unwind with a soothing massage therapy session.

Although Robert Popchak has been a member for less than a year, he’s already found himself at home in the gym community. “It’s like a family atmosphere at a professional level,” he says. After joining, Robert, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, suggested the staff start a “Punching Parkinson’s” boxing program. When the request was echoed by his peers, staff exercise physiologist Nicole Neuwirth began teaching the biweekly class. Each 45-minute session includes mobility and balance exercises, light and medium weightlifting, and heavy punching bag and speed bag work to develop coordination, strength training and balance. “[Parkinson’s] is an incurable and debilitating disease,” Robert says. “It robs one of strength, coordination, movement and speech, resulting in untimely death. Anything I and the Punching Parkinson’s team can do to prolong the effects is worth every single minute of the effort.”

Former kindergarten teacher Betsy Bermudez joined the gym after retiring from the classroom 10 years ago. She’s become a student again herself, taking several fitness classes including Zumba as well as workouts that focus on stretching, core and cardio. “I particularly enjoy coupling strength with aqua fitness,” she says. “The land class is weight-bearing and great for my bone and muscle health, [and] the water provides a larger range of motion for similar exercises and a great aerobic workout.” Guided by the fun and professional staff, Betsy says she has nothing but love for her experience. “I have belonged to other gyms but have never felt more at home than I do at the DCFL.”

Triangle Fitness

This Siler City gym opened its doors in 2007 and was purchased by fitness enthusiasts Melanie Downey and John Downey in 2021. The facility boasts a vast array of resources for its members, including weekly fitness classes, personal training, indoor and outdoor training spaces, cardio equipment, machine-assisted weights, free weights and even several nutrition options.

While the gym can be an intimidating place for some, Courtney Atkins has found nothing but support since her very first day at Triangle Fitness. “I was new to the gym, and I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing,” she recalls. “The owner, John Downey, noticed I was struggling with an exercise, and he didn’t think twice about coming over to help me out.” Courtney has flourished since joining Triangle Fitness, and especially enjoys personal training sessions and breaking a sweat at “boot camp” every Wednesday morning. “Triangle’s gym community is unlike any other,” she says. “From the members to the staff, you just can’t beat it. [There’s] nowhere else I’d rather work out!”

Certified personal trainer Arnold Newby says Triangle Fitness combines work and a workout. “My favorite memory [was] being able to conduct a boot camp class,” he says. “It’s pretty cool being able to impact lives through physical and mental health.” The gym’s community is unique, he says, offering an old-school gym with a hometown feeling. “There are no cliques, and everyone makes you feel welcome,” Arnold says.

Ladies’ Fitness Center of Pittsboro

Owned and operated by personal trainer Audrey Burleson, this gym welcomes women of all ages and fitness levels, offering more than 25 weekly classes, including full body, cycling, Zumba, pilates, yoga and more. Personal training options for small groups and individuals are available, and members can use the gym 24 hours a day.

Lindy Parr has been a member since 1998 – long enough to remember the facility before Audrey became the owner in 2007. Having experienced several changes in ownership, Lindy says, “It is [Audrey’s] classes that have kept me a member for so many years.” She opts for Audrey’s 8 a.m. classes, which Lindy says have sparked many friendships.

The supportive atmosphere at the gym is important to member Agustina Pablo-Baldwin. “We all have our own key, and that physically creates a sense of belonging to me,” she says. “As soon as I open that door, I know I’m in a safe haven.” Like Lindy, Agustina prefers morning classes and appreciates Audrey’s encouragement to “enjoy the process.”

After more than a decade of membership, Kasandra Granger has countless workouts under her belt, but the gym’s strong sense of community has been equally important to her. “We have so many different ways to work out these days, but the ability to be surrounded by such a fantastic group of women is unique,” she says.

Health complications from three hyperemesis gravidarum pregnancies have placed Kasandra on a “roller coaster of recovery” over the years, but the Ladies’ Fitness Center has always made her feel welcome. “Whether I’m at my top physical condition, pregnant, going through recovery [or] getting older, I have always felt like I could jump into class and participate,” she says. “Everything is
modified to fit your level, and everyone there wants you to succeed.”

Chatham YMCA

Offering group exercise classes, free weights, strength and cardio equipment and a child care drop-off program, this gym has options for children, teens, adults and families at any fitness level. Soon, the gym will expand its services with a new 34,000-square-foot facility down the road in Chatham Park. The new space will provide a wellness center and group exercise studio, an outdoor pool, indoor and open-air gymnasiums and a multipurpose space for community collaboration and wellness programs.

For 77-year-old Henry Hadley, going to the gym means more than a physical workout: It’s about caring for his mind, body and spirit. “I always say you can either come here, or you can take another pill,” he laughs. “So it’s better to come to the gym – that way you don’t have to take so many pills!” The proof of Henry’s dedication is in his numbers. In 2022, he was named the gym’s “top scanner,” swiping in for a workout an impressive 200 times that year.

Henry’s workout routine often starts with a short walk from his home to the gym. He then turns on his music (James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell are some of his favorite artists) and hops on the stationary bicycle or elliptical. Henry also spends his workouts memorizing new songs for his choir at the Mt. Sinai African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Henry, sporting headphones, determination and a smile, shares this advice for all ages: “No doubt, you just gotta keep it moving!”