Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Gipson.
Hi Christina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I never set out to build a gym, rather I set out to build a place where people felt at home. My work in the gym has always revolved around working with people, helping them grow, and creating environments where they feel supported. Fitness became the vehicle, but people have always been the purpose.
Before I ever owned a gym, sports were already a major part of my life. I played soccer in college, and when that chapter ended, I stayed connected to the sport by coaching. Coaching gave me the opportunity to develop athletes, encourage confidence, and continue the teamwork and competitiveness I loved. I also engaged in adventure racing and running, always looking for new ways to challenge myself outdoors and stay connected to a competitive, goal-driven lifestyle.
Eventually, I went overseas to play soccer, which taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of a supportive team in a completely new environment. When I returned, I shifted into long-distance running and began running marathons, which brought a different mindset: mental endurance, consistency over intensity, and the joy of training toward something bigger than a single event.
During this time, I worked as a personal trainer and taught spinning classes, gaining hands-on experience helping people build healthy habits, improve their movement, and reach their goals. In 2012, I discovered CrossFit and immediately fell in love with it. It gave me a new way to compete and push myself while reconnecting with a supportive community that felt like a team again. As I continued to get older, I realized how beneficial it was not just to train, but to provide a place where others could find that same outlet, structure, and drive.
When I started The Garage, it wasn’t because I dreamed of owning a big facility or managing equipment. It was because I love helping people get healthy, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I wanted a space where someone could walk in, take a deep breath, and think, “This is my place.” A place where they wouldn’t feel judged or out of place, where showing up mattered more than being perfect.
The early days were humble. Our equipment came from friends, other gyms, and anyone willing to sell us a piece for cheap. Nothing matched, but every piece had a story. And honestly, that fit us because we were building something real, something imperfect, something alive. We built community faster than we built walls.
As we grew, we moved three times in just a few short years. Each move was a leap of faith. There were long nights, setbacks, environmental inspection delays, and moments when it felt like we were dreaming too big. But every time our community followed us, it reminded me why The Garage existed in the first place: people wanted this. They wanted a place where they were known.
Owning The Garage has never been about membership numbers or fancy branding. It has always been about belonging. I wanted members to feel like they had a second home, a place where it is okay to be new, to struggle, to celebrate wins, to ask for help, and to keep coming back. I wanted coaches who greet people by name, music that makes you smile, workouts that make you proud, and a culture where everyone cheers for each other.
Today, in our third location, our mission is exactly what it has always been: to empower people with the tools, knowledge, and encouragement to live healthier, longer, and more connected lives. We believe consistency, smart programming, and community support are keys to real, sustainable change.
But underneath all of that, here is the truth of how we got here: I love people. I love watching someone go from “I can’t” to “I did.” I love seeing strangers become friends, coaches become mentors, and members become family. The Garage is still growing, still evolving, still dreaming big, but it will always be a home.
Fitness happens here, yes, but more importantly, life happens here. And that is exactly why I started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. Like most meaningful journeys, starting and growing The Garage has come with challenges, sacrifices, and plenty of moments where it would have been easier to quit. I’ve always believed in the mission, but that doesn’t mean the road has been easy.
The early days weren’t the hard part. In the beginning, things actually flowed — we had momentum, excitement, and a shared vision. The challenges really started when I went on my own as the sole owner. That’s when the weight of every decision, every expense, and every obstacle landed squarely on my shoulders.
We didn’t have large investors or brand-new equipment, so I had to build from what we had — used equipment, borrowed pieces, and whatever resources I could gather. It was grassroots and often uncertain. There were days when it felt like I was putting together a puzzle without all the pieces, trying to make smart choices while keeping the doors open and the mission alive.
What got me through were the great coaches, members, friends, family, and the Statesboro community who stood beside me. Even though I didn’t have co-owners, I had a community of people who believed in what we were creating. They helped move equipment, showed up early, stayed late, encouraged new members, and reminded me that this gym wasn’t mine alone, rather it belonged to all of us. Their support didn’t eliminate the struggles, but it made the journey meaningful and possible.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What Should You Know About The Garage?
The Garage is more than a gym, it’s a community built around belonging, consistency, and real-life change. We provide fitness programming that is accessible, sustainable, and supportive for people at all stages of their health journey. Our focus isn’t just on helping you get stronger physically, but also on improving mental well-being, building confidence, and creating meaningful social connections.
What We Do & What We’re Known For
We specialize in smart, intentional programming that prioritizes longevity over intensity. Our workouts are designed to help members build functional strength, improve mobility, and maintain wellness for life, not just for a season. We are known for meeting people where they are, offering modifications, guidance, and encouragement without judgment. Whether someone is brand new to fitness or has been training for years, they feel welcomed, supported, and challenged in a way that works for them.
What Sets Us Apart
What truly sets The Garage apart is our culture. You’ll hear members say it all the time: “It just feels different here.” We greet people by name. We check in when someone hasn’t been in a while. We celebrate milestones that have nothing to do with the scale or a stopwatch. Coaches care not only about how you move, but how you’re doing as a person.
We don’t believe in fitness fads, toxic gym culture, or pressure to “look a certain way.” We believe in showing up, working hard, and growing, physically, mentally, and emotionally. And we operate with heart: patience, empathy, consistency, and connection are built into everything we do.
What We’re Most Proud Of (Brand-Wise)
I’m most proud of the fact that our brand reflects our values. The Garage stands for: Belonging, not intimidation; Progress, not perfection; and Community, not comparison.
From the moment you walk in, you’ll feel seen, supported, and encouraged. We’ve created a space where teachers, students, parents, military recruits, athletes, and newcomers all train side-by-side and learn from one another. We’ve grown through word-of-mouth because people feel at home here, that’s the core of our brand.
What We Offer
We provide:
~ Group fitness classes led by caring, knowledgeable coaches
~ Functional strength and conditioning programming
~ Beginner-friendly fitness and modifications for all abilities
~ Specialty programs, workshops, and events (including teacher wellness initiatives, faith + fitness series, and youth programming)
~ Self-defense classes open to the community
~ A consistent structure that helps people stick with their goals long-term
We also focus on building authentic community through outside-the-gym connections: workouts, local partnerships, themed fitness events, mental wellness workshops, and programs designed to support everyday life and well-being.
What We Want Readers to Know
The Garage isn’t about being the strongest person in the room, it’s about becoming a stronger YOU. If you’re looking for a place where people know your name, where progress is celebrated at every level, and where you can grow in a safe, supportive environment, this is it.
If you want to feel better, move better, live healthier, and be surrounded by people who care, you don’t have to do it alone. There’s a place for you at The Garage.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is creating a place where people feel like they truly belong. Fitness is important, and movement, health, strength, and longevity all matter, but what I care about most is building a community where people feel seen, supported, and valued. That sense of belonging is powerful. It keeps people coming back, not because they have to work out, but because they feel connected, encouraged, and at home.
I have always loved helping people. I believe that when someone feels safe, accepted, and encouraged, they will push themselves further than they ever thought possible both inside and outside the gym. At The Garage, we do not just train bodies; we care about the whole person, including their energy, their stress, their confidence, their joy, and their life outside the workout.
What matters most to me is consistency and connection. Anyone can walk into a gym and lift weights, but it is the relationships, the check-ins, the high-fives, the conversations after class, and the “we missed you” texts that change people’s lives. That is what makes a space truly special.
Why does this matter? Because we are all carrying something. People walk through our doors with stress from work, family responsibilities, self-doubt, health concerns, and personal battles that no one else sees. If I can provide a space where someone feels supported for one hour, where they leave feeling stronger, lighter, and more capable, then that hour matters.
Fitness should make life better, not just bodies smaller. It should give people confidence to show up in the world, provide tools to manage stress, and offer community to lean on. That is why I do what I do. Helping people become the best version of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally is what matters most. And building a community that lifts each other up is why The Garage exists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegarage-fitness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_garage_at_statesboro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088918579221
