NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new gym concept is officially celebrating its arrival in East Nashville, bringing together serious strength training, combat sports, recovery amenities and a community-first atmosphere.
Fuel Fortress Nashville, located at 412 Davidson Street, will host its grand opening celebration on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details are below.
For Teryn Simmonds, one of the gym’s owners, Fuel Fortress is designed to be more than just another fitness facility in a crowded industry. The goal is to create a space that listens to its members and evolves with their needs.
“We really like to tailor to serious lifters,” Simmonds said. “And we definitely take our members feedback into account.”
That member-first approach is already shaping the gym’s future. Simmonds said the team is planning to sell a piece of equipment that members have not been using as much and replace it with two pieces they have been requesting.
“Our goal is to make this their gym and have them be very involved in what makes it great,” she said.
Fuel Fortress offers an open-floor concept with a variety of machines and equipment for members focused on lifting heavy and reaching their goals. The gym is open 24/7, giving members the flexibility to train whenever it works best for their schedule.
“We also have an MMA room where we hold jujitsu classes, Muay Thai classes and even plan to add boxing in the future.”
While Fuel Fortress does not currently offer traditional fitness classes, the gym is built for those who want access to serious training equipment, combat sports and recovery options.
Members also have access to a sauna, posing room, showers and locker rooms.
Those interested in joining the gym are encouraged to stop by their grand opening on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will include a car show, vendors, food, a DJ, giveaways and a discounted membership special.
Anyone who signs up during the grand opening event will receive one month free.
Fuel Fortress is also part of a larger franchise network, with locations in areas including Clarksville and Kentucky. According to Simmonds, members are not limited to one location.
“Our little saying is, if you are a member at one, you’re a member at all,” she said.
For Simmonds, the road to opening the East Nashville location started with a simple thought: she wanted a gym of her own.
She met Josh Biggs, the franchise owner, through the Nashville MMA fight team. After watching him open gyms in Kentucky, she told her husband, Matt, that she wanted to be part of building one, too.
“I was like, ‘Geez, it’s no fair that Josh gets to open up a gym. I want one, too” she laughed.
From there, the idea began to grow. Simmonds later met her business partner, Sam, through her Muay Thai classes, where he and Matt became friends while training together.
“We just happened to say how we wanted to try and open up a location in Nashville, and he was like, ‘I’m in,’” Simmonds said.
That eventually led Sam and Leah, along with Matt and Teryn, to go in on the business together. The group spent about a year planning and going through approvals before beginning the buildout.
“We were here all the time working on the buildout, doing as much as we can to get it open as soon as we could,” she said.
While the equipment, location and 24/7 access are major draws, Simmonds said the heart of Fuel Fortress Nashville is the community it is building.
“What we’ve loved most about gyms is the community that it brings,” she said. “That’s why we were just so looking forward to having a place of our own to have our own community.”
Since opening, Simmonds said the member base has already become one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
“Our member base right now is filled with all sorts of great people,” she said. “And I think that’s probably the biggest perk is just getting to meet all of the amazing people that come through our doors and give them a place to call their gym home.”
When asked to describe the gym’s vibe in one word, Simmonds chose “dedicated.”
“All of our members, they’re in here all the time, and I see the same faces every day, and they’re all working hard and pushing themselves,” she said.
With views of the Titan’s stadium outside the window and a growing community inside its doors, Fuel Fortress Nashville is looking to become a new home base for East Nashville lifters, fighters and fitness enthusiasts ready to train with purpose.
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