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If a roaring, 7-foot-tall, chest-beating gorilla named Flex stands before you, you are either in very grave danger or you’re at the entrance of Outer Banks Sports Club in Nags Head.
For those who have yet to see it for themselves, the imposing gorilla comes to life by way of a power cord. Its presence at Outer Banks Sports Club (OBSC) came about in 2022 when the gym’s owner, Manny Golasa, was changing the gym’s logo from a hammerhead shark to a hulking gorilla. Golasa stumbled across an animatronic ape at a trade show, and when he expressed interest to the seller, they offered to build a custom version that more closely resembled the OBSC logo. The result is a furry giant mascot named Flex that now stands post greeting local and visiting gym goers.
“Throughout the whole summer since we put him out there, people have been stopping by all the time just to take pictures with Flex,” Golasa says. “It draws people to the gym whether they’re working out or not.” OBSC members were immediately charmed by Flex as well. Golasa says his members are amazing, like one big family. His goal is to give people on the Outer Banks the best gym possible, noting that the members appreciate his and his staff’s friendly and involved attitudes.
“I am good at customer service. I learned that from my dad,” Golasa says.
After celebrating more than 15 years in business, OBSC is currently planning an exciting expansion. Golasa says the last two years have been booming like never before.
“We went from barely surviving the COVID-19 shutdown to starting the process of expanding the gym,” he says.
While concrete details remain forthcoming, Golasa plans to add on to the right side of the building, likely only having to sacrifice part of the sidewalk and six parking spaces from their ample lot. The additional workout space will connect to existing areas such as the upstairs cardio space to seamlessly join the new with the old on both floors.
OBSC will boast a wider variety of fitness equipment in the resulting 20,000-square-foot gym with a fresh, modern look. Golasa is also brainstorming the idea of a supervised area where parents will be able to drop off mid-age-range children. In offering a service like this, parents can get their workouts done while children who would normally need daycare or babysitters can hang out or play amongst themselves in the building.
This idea is a thoughtful way to accommodate parents, showcasing this gym’s passion for community and retaining its members through all stages of life.
OBSC will also be bulking up its apparel line, which already includes t-shirts, hats, hoodies and the number one seller: stringer tank tops. Sometimes you can even catch Flex sporting the merchandise.
With the cooler months among us and a lot of outdoor athletic activities falling to the wayside, consider checking out one of the best gyms on the island. And give Flex the gorilla a high five!
(252) 441-8361
2423 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head
About the Author Gabrielle Giannone
Gabrielle Giannone is a contributing writer for OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved from Virginia to the Outer Banks in early 2023. Outside of writing and exploring the area, she is a server at three local restaurants and a fine art painter.
