NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville is about to get a serious boost in the fitness department.

LEGACY, a standout fitness brand built initially in Miami, is officially making its way to Germantown—and if you thought this was just another gym opening, think again. We recently sat down with founder and former Auburn football player Manning Sumner on a Zoom interview to get the full story behind LEGACY’s move to Music City, and what he shared was nothing short of inspiring.

Manning, who has deep roots in the South, played ball at Auburn University before going to Miami, where he launched his fitness empire. Over the past few years, he’s grown the brand to seven thriving locations across South Florida, building a reputation for innovative programming and community-building. Now, he’s bringing that same energy to Nashville.

“We go early, plant our flag, and build community around us,” Manning said. “That’s what we’ve done in Miami, and that’s exactly what we want to bring to Nashville—a new take on fitness that feels like a second home.”

The decision to expand into Nashville was made during the pandemic. While most were hesitant to make moves, Manning was looking for cities that weren’t closed in this temporary season. Nashville stood out. “It was one of the places that stayed open, that stayed smart,” he said. People were moving here in droves, and I already had a few connections in the city—from Gunnar Peterson to friends in Franklin.”

Now set to open this summer, LEGACY’s Nashville location will land in Germantown and flip the traditional gym model. Rather than tucking group fitness into a back room, the group exercise experience will be front and center—literally.

“The group class energy is the gym energy,” said Manning. “You walk in and immediately feel the vibe.”

LEGACY’s signature group class is based on an athletic circuit format Manning designed initially for pro athletes. The format includes 20 partner-based stations with a push-pull-core cardio flow—two minutes per station, 30-second transitions, and built-in accountability. “You rest when your partner works. You’ve got to talk. You get to connect,”Manning explained. “It’s almost impossible to just put on your headphones and disappear. We want to be intentional.”

But it’s not just about the sweat. LEGACY in Nashville will also include a coworking lounge, a full spa with saunas and cold plunges, and open gym access—all wrapped in a design meant to foster belonging.

“We call it a family—a team! “Manning said. “We have seen LEGACY marriages, LEGACY babies… We want people to come here and connect.”

Check out their fun design coming to the Germantown area:

With a resume that includes training over 30 NFL players, countless NBA stars during the 2011 lockout, and celebrities across industries, Manning isn’t just talking the talk. His 20-year journey has been built on consistency, innovation, and heart.

Terry Barga, Owner of Nashville Fit Magazine, summed it up best:

“You’re not just building a gym—you’re building something bigger. We love the accountability piece. We’re excited to have you here and can’t wait to help spread the word.”

LEGACY in Germantown is slated to open in late summer 2025. Stay tuned for updates, community events, and ways to get involved—and if you’re in town for the Music City Fit Expo on May 30-31, you might just run into Manning himself.

Oh—and keep your eyes peeled for NO DAYS OFFPremium Water, Manning’s canned water brand, officially making waves in Nashville.

Follow along with Manning to keep up with the latest on all things LEGACY happenings.

Author: Tala Shatara