Uplift Fitness Brings New Gym to Stephenville
A new gym is preparing to open in Stephenville with a focus on fitness, family, and community.
Uplift Fitness, founded by longtime personal trainer Kaitlynn Gibson, will open in Fall 2026!
The idea for Uplift Fitness began in February 2025, when Gibson decided to pursue her longtime dream of owning a gym. With approximately eight years of experience as a personal trainer and experience working at several area gyms, Gibson said she noticed a need for a stronger sense of community, particularly among women.
Gibson initially pursued that vision in Hico, where she and her family invested their savings and time into creating a gym. However, unforeseen circumstances and life changes eventually forced them to leave the location.
Although the setback was difficult, Gibson said the experience gave her time to step back and consider where she wanted to take the business next.
"I really sat with God and decided to let Him lead me to where He wanted me to be," Gibson said.
About eight months ago, Gibson said she felt called to Stephenville. After searching for the right location for approximately eight months, she and her family found the space on West Washington Street.
For Gibson, Stephenville was a natural fit. Her home church is located in the community, and she said her own journey began there. She wanted to build her business in a place where she already had connections and felt a sense of belonging.
The gym's name also reflects Gibson's faith. While praying about what the business should be called and what she wanted the space to represent, she said she felt called to "arise" and rise to the challenge.
She settled on Uplift Fitness to create an environment that encourages people and helps them feel supported.
Gibson even designed the business's logo herself by hand.
That same philosophy will carry into the gym's approach to its members. As a woman-owned, family-run business, Gibson said she wants Uplift Fitness to feel different from a traditional gym where members check in, work out, and leave.
"We don't want you to just check in and leave," Gibson said. "We want to know your name. We want to know your story."
Gibson plans to be involved in the gym herself from day one, teaching classes and working alongside members.
Family is another major part of the gym's plans. Uplift Fitness will have a children's area where parents can bring their kids while they work out, eliminating the need to arrange child care for every visit.
The initial children's area will be small, but Gibson hopes to eventually add nursery workers and expand the programming available for younger members. Children ages 12 and older will be able to purchase memberships and work out with their parents, with children's classes also being considered as the gym grows.
Uplift Fitness will offer group fitness classes, personal training, and pelvic floor classes. Gibson also plans to eventually add mom-and-me classes, as well as women-only and men-only classes.
The gym will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Members will receive keycard access linked to their phones, allowing them to work out on their own schedules. The facility will not have staff on-site around the clock.
Memberships will be available on their website , and a QR code at the gym will allow prospective members to sign up directly from the building at any time.
Membership options include:
$45 per month with a six-month contract
$50 per month with a three-month contract
$55 per month, month-to-month
$15 individual classes
In addition to fitness services, the gym will sell canned Cool Beans coffee and offer a selection of vitamin supplements.
While preparing the new location has required significant investment, Gibson said one of the most meaningful moments came after she signed the lease.
More than 20 friends and family members gathered at the building to pray over the space and its future. They walked through the building together, blessing the new business and the journey ahead.
For Gibson, that support reinforced the community she hopes to build through Uplift Fitness.
The gym is scheduled to hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting on Nov. 2nd. A soft opening is planned, although a date has not yet been announced.
Updates about the soft opening, grand opening, memberships, and classes will be posted on Uplift Fitness' Facebook and Instagram pages.
For Gibson, opening Uplift Fitness is the culmination of a dream that began long before she found the building at 3054 West Washington Street. Now, she hopes the gym will become a place where Stephenville families can pursue their fitness goals while building relationships and encouraging one another along the way. Follow Uplift on Facebook and Instagram for more updates about their progress, and join us in welcoming them to the community!
