Recess by Bevin Prince is an indoor/outdoor cycling studio that inspires a playful attitude.

Ready for a new fitness adventure, one recent Friday morning, my friend and I took a class at Recess, a high-energy, open-air indoor cycling studio in a 30’ by 40’ tent in Autumn Hall.

My fitness level can be described as mediocre at best, but my trepidation was immediately eased by the cheerful, contagious optimism surrounding me. I was instantly smiling and laughing with the group, and once the class was over, I wanted to keep going. I left the class energized with a new appreciation of my own ability, for community and wellness.

Former One Tree Hill actress and North Carolina native Bevin Prince is the woman behind Recess.

“Remember what it felt like to just play as children?” Prince asks. “We are bringing back that feeling as we experienced it as children. Movement should be fun and all are welcome at Recess!”

The vision for Recess began in April 2020 when Prince and her late husband, William Friend, came to stay with her parents in the Wilmington area at the height of the COVID lockdown. Friend fell in love with the Wilmington area, and together Prince and Friend made the decision to leave New York City and move to Wrightsville Beach. Together they created Recess, offering an outdoor space during the pandemic.

Once pandemic restrictions eased, Prince, who has more than 10 years of experience in the fitness industry, kept the open-air environment as a core component of the Recess brand.

At Recess, it does not matter what your fitness level is or if you’ve never clipped into a bike. You are encouraged to take your workout at your own pace and learn to make small changes in a safe environment. They do not use gauges but go by feeling, blending cardio and strength training for a full-body workout. It is an unintimidating space where you are encouraged to celebrate where you are, disconnect and work on your true self both spiritually and physically.

Recess has the highest-quality bikes and instructors in the game. Each bike is sanitized using the best cleaning and disinfecting supplies possible. The bikes are spaced six feet apart with instructors walking you through the entire set up. They never repeat a playlist or a workout. You are encouraged to ride to the beat of the music and turn up your resistance at your own pace.

Each class is 45 minutes long and focuses on positivity, community, music, fun and physical and mental wellness.

Recess offers a variety of classes ranging from yoga combined with cycling, community rides to disco rides. Recess even offers private rides for bachelorettes, wedding parties, birthdays, corporate and teambuilding. Staff curate the playlists based on the customer’s interests. Dogs are also welcome on a leash. Prince’s own English Lab, Lady Winston of Wrightsville (Winnie), accompanies her to class.

When asked about the best part about living in Wilmington area, Prince is quick to say it is the community. She explains that some of the most special things about what she does is seeing how people support and show up for each other. The community was there for her when Recess’ tent blew away during last year’s tropical storm and especially when Friend tragically passed away last summer. She says she feels tremendous gratitude for the continued outpouring of support she has received and for helping her in the midst of that grief.

Plans are in the works to relocate to a permanent brick and mortar space by summer of 2023 — with plenty of outdoor space for cycling to stay true to Recess’ open-air concept. They also plan to expand class offerings, hire additional instructors and offer more class times. In addition, Recess is expanding with a location planned in Raleigh for 2024.

If you’re just visiting the area, Recess has zero membership contracts and drop-ins per class are welcome. You don’t need anything except your water bottle. They even provide the shoes.

Want to go?
Recess by Bevin Prince
101 Autumn Hall Drive, Wilmington
(910) 565-5372
To book a class, go to recessbybevinprince.com.

Photography by Megan Deitz