WILMINGTON—A life-sized Freddy Mercury watches over dozens of stationary bikes as a light show fit for a Queen concert illuminates the studio and the words “For those about to sweat we salute you” adorn the wall.
This is not your typical gym.
Amplifly Cycle and Strength Studio is Porters Neck’s newest fitness center, but this is not your average gym, and that is just what owner Ali Nyquist had in mind when she opened last month. Music plays a big role in the atmosphere at Amplifly because of its ability to bring people together.
“We have a fitness studio that is inspired by music, kind of rock ‘n’ roll, but really all genres. We wanted to create a space that was really welcoming of all walks of life. We felt the best way to bring people together is through music. When you are at a concert it is the one place that can draw everybody together regardless gender, race, religion,” Nyquist said.
Owning her own gym has been a dream of Nyquist’s for about five years, she said. And when she and her husband professional BMX rider Ryan Nyquist moved to Wilmington from California last year, the time was right.
Ali Nyquist is originally from Virginia, but met her husband at East Carolina University. After getting married on the East Coast, the Nyquist’s moved to California to be close to Ryan’s family. They moved back east last July so Ryan could be close to his BMX training facility located in Greenville.
“Last summer the Olympics announced they were going to accept BMX freestyle in as a sport for the very first time … he (Ryan) is still very good at what he does. I think he has a chance at making the Olympic team, if he has the right facilities,” Ali Nyquist said.
“When we lived in Greenville, Ryan built his own training facility he called The Unit,” she said. “Living in California it was a rare opportunity that he could go and ride his own place. So it was like, ‘If you really want to fulfill this Olympic dream I think that we need to be closer to the Unit.'”
Sweat, Bikes and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Nyquist is a self-described endurance junkie.
“I grew up running and then got into triathlons and indoor cycling which is something that I really love, so I wanted to bring that to Wilmington,” she said.
After visiting various “boutique” cycling studios in California, Nyquist decided she wanted to bring the West Coast style to Wilmington, but she wanted to make sure her studio was welcoming for everyone.
“I wanted everyone to feel like as soon as they walked in, they fit in,” she said.
But Amplifly is more than just a cycling studio; it offers a range of classes from traditional styled cycling or spin classes, to strength training, to yoga and Pilates. Guests can also schedule appointments with a certified massage therapist or hire a personal trainer for one-on-one instruction.
With three young children, childcare was a must have for Nyquist, that’s why Amplifly offers AB/CD (an homage to AC/DC) for members children.
“I have three young boys and a lot of times there are different studios I would love to try but if they don’t have childcare it just makes it impossible,” she said.
Nyquist has big plans for Amplifly and hopes to expand the studio in the adjacent suite where she will offer barre classes, but the expansion would also bring food and drink to the gym.
“What were going to do is partner with Nourishment and they do acai bowls, electrolyte snow cones, smoothies, and cold-brew coffee. So, we will actually have a bar at the barre,” Nyquist said.
Amplifly Cycle and Strength Studio is located at 165 Porters Neck Road in Wilmington.
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