07/05/2026
There are moments in life that you hope never to come, and this is one of them.
Six years ago, during the COVID-19 shutdowns, Miriam and I started going live on Facebook from our front porch. We simply wanted to help people keep moving during a difficult season. We never imagined those workouts would grow into Front Porch Fitness, and we certainly never dreamed we'd have the privilege of serving so many incredible people across the Tri-State area.
Today, after a lot of prayer, countless conversations, and months of reflection, we've made the difficult decision to close our current Front Porch Fitness location at the end of July. To say we're heartbroken would be an understatement.
Over the past year, we watched the fitness industry continue to change, and we had already begun discussing how Front Porch Fitness needed to evolve with it. We were making plans to lean even more into the areas where we thrive most and where we believed the future of our business was headed.
Then the landscape around us changed much more quickly than we anticipated. A large national fitness chain opened next door, accelerating a transition we were already beginning to consider. Had things unfolded differently, we'd probably still be here doing what we love today. But every story has its twists and turns, and we believe this is simply the next chapter of ours.
As we've reflected on this journey, we've been reminded of something important: Front Porch Fitness was born on a front porch, not inside four walls.
It was never about a building. It has always been about helping people become healthier, stronger, more confident, and realizing they're capable of more than they thought possible.
There's a quote that's always stuck with me: "The two most important days of your life are the day you're born and the day you find out why."
Looking back over these past six years, that quote has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Front Porch Fitness helped me discover my "why," and for that I'll always be grateful. That mission isn't changing.
As we enter this next chapter, we're going to lean into what we love most: personal training, small group training, and student-athlete development. We believe that's where we can make the greatest impact, and we're excited for what the future holds.
To every trainer who has been part of Front Porch Fitness, thank you. Your passion, your heart for people, and your commitment helped create something far bigger than a gym.
To every member, every athlete, every family, and every friend who walked through our doors, thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your health, your goals, your victories, your struggles, and your lives. The relationships we've built will always mean more to us than any building ever could.
And to everyone throughout the Tri-State area, thank you for believing in a small local business and allowing us to live out a dream that began on a front porch.
We have just one request: please keep moving.
Whether that's with us, another gym, on a walking trail, in your garage, or somewhere else entirely, keep moving. You've heard me say it for years... all movement is good movement.
We'll continue operating on our normal schedule through the end of July, and we're looking forward to spending these final weeks with all of you.
Front Porch Fitness was never built by four walls. It was built by people. Every one of you helped shape this story, and Miriam and I will be forever grateful for that.
Thank you for believing in us, for growing with us, and for allowing us to be part of your lives. We truly couldn't have done it without you.
With love and gratitude,
Donnie & Miriam
