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If you’ve ever seen the comedy “Dodgeball,” you might remember the over-the-top gym called “Globo Gym.” Ben Stiller’s character is extreme, pushy and obsessed with perfection. It’s funny in the movie, but many people feel like real gyms aren’t that different. They can seem judgmental or built on the idea that the “old you” is bad and the “new you” is the only acceptable version.
That mindset makes working out feel intimidating and discouraging. It also leads to short-term fixes — 21-day plans, six-week challenges and programs that promise big results fast. Most people end up right back where they started, only more frustrated. The truth is, you are always you. Real change comes from habits, community and support — not pressure.
That’s exactly why Elevate Cullman feels so refreshing. Elevate is the original boutique fitness studio in the heart of downtown Cullman. It opened in 2017 with one clear mission: to create a welcoming space where women can move, breathe and build strength — both mentally and physically. It even has a unique reward structure for consistent class attendance, and gifts these special people with a finisher necklace.
The studio was started by Rachel Eidson, a local lawyer, mom and longtime fan of barre, yoga and cardio classes. She began her fitness journey in 2010 while teaching for a barre franchise in Huntsville. She loved the movement and the impact it had on women, but she wanted to bring more hospitality and heart into the experience — things that didn’t fit well in a big corporate structure. When she moved to Cullman in 2016, she saw a need for a warm, encouraging space where women could work out without feeling judged or compared. And so, Elevate was born.
Elevate doesn’t feel like a traditional gym. It’s more like a friendly girls’ club where you show up to move your body and connect with people who get you. Some women pop in at 5:30 a.m. with a smile. Others roll in after hitting snooze three times. Either way, you’re greeted by name, encouraged and reminded that showing up — however you show up — is already a win.
The staff and clients call themselves “Lovelies,” and the name truly fits. It’s common to find groups grabbing coffee before or after class, celebrating milestones or checking in on each other during tough weeks. The community feels real and supportive. One of the sweetest traditions is watching moms attend classes throughout pregnancy and then bring their babies with them during recovery. As longtime client D.G., who has taken more than 1,000 classes, says, “We all get to feel like we’re part of the journey.”
The class schedule has something for everyone — barre, boxing-inspired cardio, yoga and more. Each class serves a purpose. Piloxing barre gives you a fun mix of Pilates core work and energizing boxing intervals. Elevate Barre, the studio’s most widely offered class, blends yoga alignment, ballet strength training and Pilates control for a powerful full-body workout. Yoga classes help stretch and restore your muscles, creating balance between building strength and staying flexible.
One of the first things you do when you walk into the studio is kick off your shoes. It signals to your brain and body that this is a space to slow down, breathe and focus. The colorful “sticky socks” everyone wears add a bit of fun and help keep you steady during class. Equipment stays simple because, as the teachers like to say, “Your body is the machine.”
The teachers give hands-on, thoughtful guidance, offering small adjustments that help you feel each exercise more clearly. They are trained not only in movement, but also in how to encourage and support people of all experience levels. The result is a space that feels safe, welcoming and surprisingly fun — even for people who normally don’t love the gym.
Elevate Cullman isn’t about becoming a “new you.” It’s about becoming a stronger, more confident version of the amazing person you already are. If traditional gyms have left you feeling out of place, Elevate might just be the change your mind and body have been waiting for.
Elevate Cullman is located at 220 First Ave. SE in downtown Cullman. Find it online at elevatecullman.com (where you can explore monthly class schedules, pricing and more details — and get to know the instructors ), facebook.com/elevatecullman and instagram.com/elevatecullman.