It looks like something straight out of a Marvel movie. And there’s a pretty good chance you’ll feel like a superhero as you slip into an electro muscle stimulation suit for the first time. Well, consider the Triangle your Gotham City on the edge of a fitness revolution as EMS studios have begun to emerge.
With EMS, traditional exercises get a boost via high-tech wearables that send pulses to your muscles—think 36,000 muscle contractions in 20 minutes—causing them to contract and activate at higher rates than your brain alone can muster. The result? A more efficient, effective, zero-impact 20-min fit sesh with the same payoff as hours in the gym. Ohm—yes, please (!).
Launching the trend locally—and “taking your mind and motivation out of the workout”— BODY20 brought its one-on-one personal training via certified coach to Cary’s Waverly Place in February, with plans to open additional locations in Brier Creek (est. late July) and Glenwood South (est. September).
Meanwhile—life means squat without you? OHM Fitness leans into the better together model as one of the first fitness franchises to use wireless EMS in a group setting. Locals Liz and Luis Arcos—formerly of European Wax Center fame—are leading the charge, having secured area representative rights to open 20 OHM Fitness spaces across the state (P.S. They’re looking for franchisees!), and are currently on the hunt for three Triangle sweat spots.
“I love the body. It’s a beautiful design, but it does have some limitations,” says OHM Fitness CEO and co-founder Doug Payne. Thus, the company’s proprietary wireless EMPower bodysuit is “kind of a cheat code that allows us to level-up our exercise routine using the technology.”
If it sounds too good to be true (or a bit like pseudoscience), think again. EMS technology has been used in health care for decades and is especially popular in physical therapy. At both BODY20 and OHM Fitness, you can also get in-depth insights into your body before and after a workout that goes beyond numbers on a scale.
“It’s not snake oil. It’s not ‘get fit fast.’ It’s a lifestyle change. The workout gives you all the benefits of traditional training without compromising your time,” says BODY20 franchisee and devotee Toby Brodie. He and wife Kim—who are on track to open 13 studios in NC—believe in the power of EMS to change lives regardless of your fitness background.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re an elite athlete or you’ve never worked out before,” says Kim. “EMS technology can meet you where you are.” … So, if you dreamed about that superhero life as a kid, now’s your chance to look and feel like one—no capes required. Holy EMS, Batman! body20.com, ohmfitness.com
Opening in late 2024, the goliath 45-acre flagship campus is on course to be the largest multiracquet sports facility in the world, featuring 70+ courts for tennis, pickleball, padel and beach tennis.
“Seeing these three significant collaborations come to fruition is a testament to our commitment to revolutionizing the racquet sports experience and creating a world-class sportstainment venue,” says Swing founder and CEO Rob Autry.
In addition to a tennis racquet stringing bar and retail brick-and-mortar, Wilson is bringing cutting-edge technology to Swing with augmented reality, virtual reality and gamification experiences, along with a satellite hub of Wilson Labs, the company’s R&D arm. The collab will also help define Swing as a top destination for national and international tournaments and events.
Wilson president and CEO Joe Dudy says this all-in-one concept is just what the industry needs. “We are very bullish about this project and feel Wilson can play an integral role in Swing’s movement. We cannot wait to see Swing come to life in Raleigh and beyond.”
Fabio Viviani | Photo by Neil Burger
On the training front, Stockholm-based GTG is joining Swing to create a co-branded academy at the facility. GTG boasts an impressive string of players who trained under its coaching model, including the current world No. 9 Maria Sakkari, three-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 3 Stan Wawrinka, and former world No. 3 in singles Grigor Dimitrov.
While sports may take top billing, don’t sleep on the food. Celebrity chef and restaurateur Fabio Viviani and his eponymous Fabio Viviani Hospitality will lead the food and bev charge, focusing on healthy meals made with high-quality ingredients to give players an energy boost while encouraging community building off the court.
“Long gone are the days when food and beverage were just an afterthought for sports and entertainment concepts,” says Viviani, going on to explain that his concept will be a “tangible asset” to complement Swing’s appeal.
Autry adds that Swing is excited to bring their vision to life alongside these industry leaders.“These relationships will not only enhance the Swing experience, but they will also help grow the player base and create opportunities for individuals who may not have otherwise had access to these sports.” Now that’s a swing and a score in our book.
Grab your forks and get ready to get your grub on—Black Restaurant Week is here! From April 28 to May 7 (and beyond!), show your support for local Black-owned businesses throughout the Triangle while celebrating African American, African and Caribbean cuisines.
Launched in 2016 in Houston by founders Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell and Derek Robinson, BRW has since expanded its reach to communities throughout North America, and their efforts have only escalated since the pandemic given how hard the food and bev industry was hit.
For minority-owned businesses, the impacts are especially long-lasting. So the BRW team is on a mission to ease those lingering pandemic pains with their More Than Just a Week campaign focused on restimulating local Black communities by promoting Black-owned culinary businesses and professionals who cannot afford marketing efforts.
“COVID-19 changed the landscape since 2020,” explains Luckett. “Now the price of food is soaring. From being overlooked for revitalization funds to inflation, most Black-owned culinary businesses cannot afford advertisements/PR/marketing to build awareness and attract consumers. That’s why we proudly do this for free—it’s peer-to-peer support for 10 or 14 days within each market and for the past seven years.”
In addition to boosting sales and educating the community on the abundance of cuisines in the area, Black Restaurant Week also helps business owners secure grants and training through its Feed the Soul Foundation. We’ll eat to that.
So, what’s first on your culinary agenda? Here, a few options to get you started.
Blend of Soul 100% natural cold-pressed juice made from fresh locally sourced ingredients delivered straight to your door. Oh, kale yeah.
Blu Tee Spoon You won’t even miss the meat in these gourmet vegan burgs—best enjoyed with a side of vegan mac and cheese and the signature hibiscus lemonade.
Uncorked Raleigh Nosh on tapas while you sip your favorite vino—or grab a bottle (or three) to go.
Craft your signature color at this Glenwood South lipstick/lip gloss studio.
“They say my lip gloss is cool. My lip gloss be poppin’.” … And a custom gloss (or lipstick) from Lip Print Beauty Bar will have all the boys—and girls—stoppin’ (!). Pumping up the glam in Glenwood South, the new first-of-its-kind locally owned studio is the place to create your own one-of-a-kind lipstick or gloss—whether for an upcoming event or just to have your very own signature color. The spot is also the perf makeup for hosting a unique bach/birthday party or GNO.
“There’s so many things we can customize,” says Renee McGregor, who runs Lip Print Beauty Bar with fellow co-owners Nickell Parks and Latrice Reynolds. “You can customize burritos. You can do candle-making and customize a candle. So why not customize your makeup?”
Originally started as a mobile business in 2021, the trio opened the brick-and-mortar in DTR this past October as the Triangle’s first lipstick/gloss studio. All the cosmetics are American-made, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and contain no synthetic fragrances. “We try to use makeup that is also going to be good and nourishing for the skin—not just pretty,” adds McGregor.
Whether you’re looking for an everyday lipstick or something daring to step out of your comfort zone, let the fab lip artists at Lip Print Beauty Bar guide you on your journey to the perfect pout. lipprintbeautybar.com
Step 1: Choose your base: creme, matte, liquid matte or gloss.
Step 2: Next, your lip artist will help you mix pigments to create a custom color for you to try on. Want a bold red? A soft coral? How about an eye-striking purple? If the first combo wasn’t what you had in mind, no worries! You can experiment to find a shade you love.
Step 3: If you want more customization, add extras like lip plumper, glitter, antioxidants or sunscreen. And don’t forget to add your favorite scent!
Step 4: Once you’re happy with the combo you’ve crafted, you’ll use those mixing skills to blend everything together before your lip artist pours the finished product into a mold. Lip gloss or liquid lipstick mixtures are packaged into a lip product tube.
Step 5: Voila! You have your very own lipstick. The studio will even keep the “recipe” on file for when you run out of your new fave shade.
Step 6: Don’t forget to show off your creation at one of the selfie stations.
Calling all smarty pants! Test your wits and win prizes via these crafty trivia nights.
Hey, know-it-alls! It’s time to put your talents to the test with a night of trivia out on the town. … And no one in the Triangle has more experience helping trivia junkies stretch those mental muscles than Tom Marshall, who is celebrating his 20th anniversary at the helm of his venture Big Slow Tom’s Trivia this year.
You can find his so-called “no-frills” trivia at restaurants and bars in and around the city, including Wakefield Tavern (the endeavor’s flagship locale), all three Woody’s locations, Clouds Brewing, The Piper’s Tavern and more. Or, hire Big Slow Tom to fuel a bit of rivalry at your next event—whether a birthday party, fundraiser or office social.
“My entire life is basically playing Six Degrees From Kevin Bacon,” says Marshall, who prides himself on crafting questions that result in face-palm moments. Rather than quizzing folks on obscure details, he wants players to hear the answers and say, “Oh yeah! I knew that.”
To boot, connecting with triviagoers is one of Marshall’s favorite parts of the job. He’s had the pleasure of watching many of his regulars grow up, get married and have kids. “I’ve met so many great people and seen their lives evolve in front of me,” he says. “They’ve become friends.”
NTM a trivia night is a great excuse to take a break from doomscrolling social media and enjoy a little healthy competition among friends. (Speaking of Friends—for 50 points, what was the name of Phoebe Buffay’s estranged twin sister?)
“I want people to interact,” says Marshall. “It’s a chance to not be staring at your phones.”
So, dust off your pencils, put down your iPhone and get ready to rack your brain. Bonus: Big Slow Tom’s Trivia boasts prizes and bragging rights for your all-star team. Victory! (Oh, and for those of you playing along—Phoebe’s sister? That would be Ursula). How’s that for a quiz pro quo?
