WHO WE ARE
Gifford Fitness started in the spring of 2016 in a Lino Lakes garage with a small group of members committed to health, fitness, fun, and a positive environment. Lifting with hand-me-down barbells and weights collected from friends and family and sled sprinting up neighborhood sidewalks, we dodged dogs, kids, and curious neighbors while building our idea of the perfect gym.
We wanted to create a place where anyone, regardless of age, gender, ability, sexual orientation, race, weight, political beliefs, or level of health could come to become a better version of themselves. We wanted to build not just better athletes, but better people – better mothers and fathers, better community members, better students, better leaders. We believed that building health and longevity, building incredible athletes, and building kinder and stronger human beings didn’t have to be mutually exclusive ideas. We were able to open our physical gym space in New Brighton shortly thereafter, funded exclusively by founding members who shared our vision.
Today, Gifford Fitness in New Brighton has grown to house several life-changing programs led by passionate and dedicated coaches, and is filled with many inspiring and committed members, all who still live and breathe the core values developed through our grassroots origin.
History of Gifford Fitness
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The community of Gifford Fitness starts with a small group of athletes training in a garage in Lino Lakes, MN. The initial space and startup costs are funded exclusively from a group of Founding Members. From conception of idea to the day we opened our doors was 6 weeks.
Gifford Fitness opened with a diverse adult program that featured functional fitness and a weightlifting club. Owner operated with a small team of 1-2 part time coaches, “2016 era” Gifford Fitness was as grassroots as it gets.
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Gifford Fitness launches it’s first age group program - GiffyFit Teens - with a group of 13 athletes in the Summer of 2018, introducing Gifford Fitness to a new generation of athletes.
Gifford Fitness qualifies an athlete to the Masters Weightlifting Championships in Buffalo, NY and places 3rd. This qualified them to compete in the World Masters Weightlifting Championships later that year in Barcelona, where they also placed 3rd.
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Gifford Fitness expands its Teens program, going from 13 athletes to 300+ and partnering with several high school and club teams, including the Minnesota Force and Irondale High School Girls Swim and Dive. The goal was to provide a safe solution to the constantly changing sport and fitness landscape in 2020 - 2021.
At the end of it’s first season of the expanded GiffyFit Teens program, multiple longstanding school records were broken, and hundreds of young girls were introduced to the power of weightlifting.
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Gifford Fitness more than doubles it’s operating space, expanding from a 1500 sq ft. single room to multiple rooms and an outdoor space totaling over 5000 sq ft.
Gifford Fitness hosts it’s first 24 Hours of Heroes event - raising over $4k in just a few weeks for several veteran and domestic violence charities.
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The 24 Hours of Heroes partners with the Alexandra House, an emergency shelter for domestic violence victims and survivors. Gifford Fitness raises $10k for the shelter.
The GiffyFit Youth Scholarship pogram is launched, helping fund training for kids and teens in need.
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Gifford Fitness launches GiffyFit Kids - a expanding our age group programs to include pre-k, kids, teens and adults!
GiffyFit Teens has assisted in the breaking of several long standing school records, All-American and college athletic careers. Gifford Fitness starts working with the St. Anthony Volleyball and Softball teams, as well as the Irondale Boys Swim and Dive program.
The 24 Hours of Heroes raises over $21k for the Alexandra House, providing services for 100 people utilizing the emergency shelter.
Partnerships with Mayhem Rugby Club and the Twin Cities Amazons are formed.
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Gifford Fitness launches GiffyFit Legends for ages 55+ , fulfilling the Gifford Fitness mission to create a gym for any age and fitness ability to build lifelong health and performance.
Gifford Fitness employs 10 college-educated and professional coaches, partners with several local schools, and is a home to a community of hard workers.
