Count Alise Beccaria among the legions of Wake Forest residents happy to see O2 Fitness back in the community. The acupuncturist and yoga instructor began teaching classes for the health club chain in 2019 when it occupied space at The Factory. After the company closed that location in late 2022, Beccaria began making a 40-minute round-trip drive to Brier Creek to lead hour-long yoga classes at O2’s location there.
Since the launch of O2’s expansive new location at Grove 98, Beccaria’s commute has become much simpler. “I literally live across the street from Grove 98,” says Beccaria, a Rockland County, N.Y. native who has resided in Wake Forest’s Reynolds Mill neighborhood since 2020. Her day job as owner of Elemental Acupuncture Center is also a short hop, less than a mile away on Ligon Mill Road.
Now, Beccaria is once again bringing her “alignment-based yoga” – classes that fold her knowledge of Oriental medicine together with the ancient Indian movement system – to O2 Grove 98 twice a week. “It’s nice not having to drive to Brier Creek,” she admits. “Yoga is a passion of mine, and I really love to teach.” So when the chance to bring her classes back to Wake Forest presented itself, Beccaria jumped at the chance. “Now I can walk to the gym and my office,” she says.
Beccaria is part of a growing team of talented fitness instructors now leading classes at the new O2. In addition to yoga, members can take advantage of cardio, strength training, core workouts, Zumba, and other offerings. The number of classes and instructors is growing, says General Manager Josh Bangle. “We’re currently hiring group fitness instructors, in addition to front desk personnel, housekeepers, and kids club staff,” Bangle says. “We’re also building out our personal training team, adding a minimum of 15 trainers.” O2 Grove 98 will add significantly to its current 36-employee workforce as it welcomes new members.
The free-standing 40,000-square foot facility was constructed by Greensboro-based Trisect Commercial after extensive site preparation by Stiles Corp, developer of Grove 98. Just a few steps from O2 Fitness, the complex’s second phase is also beginning to come to life with the arrival of several national eatery brands, personal care franchises, and other retailers. “Foot traffic has been great,” Bangle says. “We’re excited to be part of the Grove 98 community.”
Like Alise Beccaria, Bangle is a Wake Forest resident who’s glad to have a shorter commute. He previously managed O2’s club in downtown Raleigh. The married father of two small children likes the idea of working closer to home – only an eight-minute drive, and he enjoys seeing local friends and fellow parents among the newly arriving O2 members.
Prior fitness industry experience is not a pre-requisite for joining the O2 team, Bangle says. “I’m always looking for people who are dependable and self-disciplined, who take pride in their work and ownership for what they do,” he says. “If you have a great work ethic and are coachable, we can develop the hard skills,” he says.
By late March, O2 Grove 98 had over 1,200 members. The sheer size of the facility makes even that number seem light. “Members like not having to wait for equipment,” Bangle says, noting the company’s vision for a membership base of at least 3,200 in Wake Forest. “This club can comfortably accommodate somewhere between 1,600 and 1,900 check-ins per day,” he says. Prospective members can sign up online for a tour of the facility – or just show up for a walk-through, according to Bangle.
O2 Fitness Grove 98 is among the Raleigh-based chain’s destination locations known as “Signature” clubs, which offer a complete range of services and amenities that include physical therapy, nutritional counseling, free weights, cardio machines, an outdoor/indoor functional training area, and even co-working space. Another big draw is the oversized saunas with Himalayan salts to intensify the detox experience. “They have been a great hit,” Bangle reports. “The pink salt walls add a whole new element.”
O2 Fitness operates 17 locations around the Carolinas, with new clubs set to open soon in northern Brunswick County, the Town of Leland, and in northern Chatham County. Raleigh native Michael Olander founded the company in 2002 shortly after finishing college. O2 clubs are now part of Raleigh-based MDO Holdings, which also has ownership interests in several food and beverage concepts, a chain of hot-yoga studios, and various commercial real estate development and re-development ventures. The brand first came to Wake Forest in 2013 with a modest location just off Capital Boulevard on Main Street before expanding to The Factory.
“It’s exciting to have O2 Fitness back in Wake Forest as a total fitness destination,” says Jason Cannon, President and CEO of the Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership (WFBIP). Wake Forest residents are active adults at all ages and stages of their careers who find value in keeping fit, Cannon believes. “O2’s presence at Grove 98 is already adding noticeable energy to Grove 98, which is emerging as a walkable and centrally located retail and residential hub.”
