Gracefully Fit, Fayetteville's new female

A new fitness center exclusively for women is coming to Fayetteville with plans to open by spring 2025.

Founded by military spouse and mother of three Grace Bex, Gracefully Fit LLC will feature amenities such as a steam sauna, infrared sauna, cold plunge and compression therapy. Bex said the 4,230-square-foot gym will be in Westwood Shopping Center when it opens.

She said that she has partnered with a neighboring daycare to offer discounted childcare packages for members. Bex said the arrangement allows parents to focus on their workouts while ensuring their children are cared for. She said the gym will offer a variety of group classes, including yoga, Pilates, Barre, Zumba, Mixxed Fit and HIIT, along with personal training and specialty programs tailored to meet diverse fitness needs.

“Our vision is to create a luxury boutique vibe with a touch of ‘badass’ — a place where women can recharge and feel empowered,” Bex said Wednesday.

A journey rooted in fitness and resilience

Bex said her journey to becoming a gym owner began in 2017 following the birth of her first child and her struggle with postpartum depression. She said fitness became her outlet, inspiring her to share her experiences on social media and gain a following, eventually leading her to pursue certification through the American College of Sports Medicine.

“I want to create a space where women feel heard, seen and comfortable, no matter how they look or where they’re starting from,” Bex said. “This gym is about more than just fitness — it’s about building a supportive community for women from all walks of life.”Bex said that while stationed with her husband in Germany, her passion for fitness led to the launch of her first gym. Despite setbacks caused by COVID-19, Bex said, she remained committed to helping women achieve their health goals. In January 2023, her husband was assigned to Fort Liberty and Bex began training clients from her home gym.With a growing waitlist and the realization that Fayetteville lacked a women-only fitness space, Bex said she decided to open a fitness center.Beyond fitness, Bex said, the gym will host groups to foster relationships among members with shared interests, which include activities like book clubs and themed events.“Community has always been a big part of my mission,” Bex said. “As a military spouse, I know how hard it can be to find your people. I want this gym to be a space where women feel connected and supported.”A space for women to rechargeBex said that as her home-based business grew, she realized many women faced challenges like anxiety working out in a gym or not feeling part of a community. Recognizing the absence of women-only fitness space in Fayetteville, she said she decided to fill the gap.“Women want a place where they can connect, feel safe and focus on their wellness without distractions,” Bex said.Memberships and pricingBex said memberships will include flexible pricing options, with an unlimited membership costing $150 per month for a 12-month contract. She said the first 50 members will receive an exclusive rate of $100 per month, locked in as long as the membership remains active.She said the gym will offer flexible class pack options, with packages of five, eight, 10 or 20 classes starting at $95, valid for 12 weeks, along with private and semi-private training sessions also available, starting at $25 per session.”This gym is about creating a serene space where women can step away from the outside world and fill their cup while they’re there so that they can leave and accomplish things in life, feeling restored,” Bex said.Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com