The Ark Fitness

The Ark Fitness specializes in group fitness classes in strength and conditioning and olympic weightlifting. The Ark is Gainesville's only 501(c)(3), not-for-profit gym, with charitable services geared towards making fitness available to people of all socio-economic backgrounds. The Ark was started in October of 2012 with a mission to make fitness education available to people of all backgrounds. In 2012, with just five members, we rented a small space in the back-half of an industrial building in East Gainesville. After a year, we acquired the entire building, and have been growing into it ever since. Our programs have grown too: we provide free weightlifting training to youth who are eligible for free or reduced-lunch, we hold free bodyweight classes twice a week (Tues@7PM, Thur@4PM), and we sponsor Yoga at NorthEast Park (Facebook.com/neparkyoga), a free yoga service every Saturday at 8:30AM. The people who join our gym, share in our vision, and help make access to fitness possible for those who may not be able to afford it, or whose opportunities are scarce.