Gym in Sumter, SC
CrossFit Sumter has been part of the Sumter community for nearly 14 years — a gym built for real people, real goals, and real life. Gabbi bought it because she knew what it could be. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth year, you’ll find coaches who care and a community that shows up for you.
Meet your coaches at CrossFit Sumter
Our coaches invest in people, not just programs. From your first session, they’re learning how you move, what drives you, and where you want to get to — then coaching you accordingly, every single time.
Qualifications:
- CrossFit L1, CrossFit L2
- Active Life Recovery Certified
- HSN Nutrition Coach (inactive)
Growing up, I was always active in sports, starting with competitive gymnastics and later transitioning to swimming and diving in high school. The years between high school and motherhood are really what set the stage for my fitness journey. During this time, I gained considerable weight and had my first child, followed by a second pregnancy six months later. At my heaviest, I wore a US size 24 and was struggling to keep up with my young toddler and infant. That’s when I discovered CrossFit in March 2014, inspired by my mom and brother’s remarkable lifestyle change after joining a CrossFit gym. The accountability and community immediately captivated me, and I noticed almost immediate improvements in my energy, mood, and overall well-being. My move to Germany in August 2014 didn’t halt my progress; instead, it fueled my passion for CrossFit even more. By the end of 2016, I started shadow coaching, and by June 2017, I earned my L1 certification and began coaching. Over the past decade, I’ve reached numerous milestones, including weight loss, strength gains, personal records, and body composition changes. More importantly, I’ve gained confidence, pride in my body’s capabilities, and a healthy lifestyle that I can model for my three children. CrossFit, I believe, is for everyone, and this belief ignited my passion for coaching. As a young mother of two, I initially felt out of place, but my first CrossFit class quickly dispelled the rumors that you have to be “fit” to start CrossFit, teaching me that there is no right time or pre-qualifications to join a CrossFit gym.
Knowing what being a part of the CrossFit community has done for my life physically, mentally, and emotionally is what drives me every day to be the best coach and gym owner that I can be!
Growing up, I stood out from other girls my age. As a competitive gymnast, I developed muscles that most kids didn’t have. I was often ridiculed for my size and told I’d never be “skinny,” which led to lifelong self-confidence issues. After having two daughters back-to-back, I was determined to be a healthy role model for them, both physically and mentally, to spare them from similar experiences. CrossFit taught me to appreciate my body and take pride in what my muscular build could achieve. It showed me that fitness isn’t defined by a dress size or a number on the scale. I learned to embrace my uniqueness and realized that looking different from someone else is about as insignificant as having a different hobby from them.
As a coach, my goal is to empower each and every athlete that I come in contact with to be the best version of themselves that they can be. I approach every athlete with a “come as you are” mindset. Whether you are a new mom, new to fitness in general, a CrossFit junkie, or someone training to be a competitor, I will meet you there! My coaching is detail-oriented, so whether you’re learning the basics or trying to fine-tune your training regimen and skills to compete, my wheels will be turning and I will do everything in my power to get you to your goals!
Qualifications:
- Bachelors in Health and Wellness
- Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM)
- Virtual Personal Training Coach (NASM)
- CrossFit Level 1, USAW
I grew up playing sports. I played basketball, Volleyball and softball in high school. I found a love for running and CrossFit after I joined the military. I was drawn to the community and the positive community. I pursued my bachelor’s in health and wellness and a master’s in exercise science. I received my level 1 in 2021 and my USAW in 2016. I also received my NASM certifications in nutrition coaching and virtual coaching in 2023. I truly am passionate about fitness and helping others achieve their goals.
I’ve dealt with anxiety and depression my whole life. There came a time when I had to decide if I was going to let it consume me. I thought about suicide constantly. I was in an emotionally abusive marriage and CrossFit was my only escape. I would spend hours a day there I was happy and for just a few hours a day, I forgot everything. CrossFit saved my life. I’m not exaggerating when I say that. The people, the community, the lifestyle. It saved my life. It changed me completely and it saved me I’m forever grateful and I use coaching as a way to give back. Working out is such a healthy way to deal with stress, depression, and anxiety and I’m here for it and can relate! I’m at a place where I can talk about it and relate and I will be forever grateful!
I truly want to help others and I believe I was given this passion that I want to share with others. I truly believe I’m good at uplifting others and making them believe in themselves and I think that is a powerful tool as a coach. I also am patient and empathetic which is also a very important quality of a coach. My motivation is to inspire others to believe in themselves. My motivation is my son and all the self-doubt I’ve had in the past. That fuels me to be better.
Bio…
Qualifications:
- CF Level 2 Certificate (current)
- USAW Level 1 Coach (expired)
I have always enjoyed doing physical and challenging things in my life. I spent many years practicing martial arts from my early teens up until joining the Air Force in 1996. As a SERE Specialist (for 20 years), I was required to perform physical and challenging tasks on a routine basis. I was convinced to try CrossFit in 2012, after many persuasive discussions with my older brother. From that point forward, I was hooked. The community, the challenge, and the intensity, were all elements I had been missing in my workout routine. I decided I wanted to help others achieve their fitness goals and obtained my CrossFit Level 1 Certificate in 2015 and my CrossFit Level 2 Certificate in 2020. Over the years, I have shared my knowledge and passion with each athlete I have coached.
As an Air Force SERE Specialist, I spent many of my years believing that I could just run and pump iron and that would be all I needed to make it by. Over the years, my body began to show my that the path I had chosen was not the correct one. My joints were always aching and my movement was terrible. As smart as I thought I was about exercise, I was very wrong. I decided I needed to try something different and started CrossFit soon after. As a results oriented person, i can say the decision to start CrossFit was one of my best decisions for myself. My military PT scores improved. My strength and endurance increased. I started to look better and healthier than I had before. Most of all, I started to feel better about myself – about what I have done, what I can do, and what can be gained.
I have a passion and goal to help others be better versions of themselves. I get enjoyment to see people make gains and improvements in all the different aspects that are affected by exercise. Your success is my success.
Qualifications:
- CrossFit Level 2
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certified
Hi, I’m Sydney, and I’m from a small town just north of Birmingham, Alabama. I’m happily married, and we have three rescue pups that we’re obsessed with. Growing up, I was deeply involved in softball and volleyball, and high school introduced me to weight lifting. I found CrossFit in 2016, and it was love at first lift—don’t worry, I cringed too. The vibrant community and competitive spirit felt like a perfect fit for me, blending seamlessly with my passion for fitness and connection. I earned my NASM Certified Personal Trainer certification in the spring of 2021 and soon after achieved my CrossFit Level 1.
My hope as a coach is that everyone who walks through our door feels seen and welcome.
Bio…
Qualifications:
- CrossFit Level 1
Growing up, I played soccer and danced competitively, but I didn’t really know what weightlifting was until high school. I have always been active but didn’t think about fitness as a lifestyle until I got older. I started CrossFit in 2018 and have been doing it in one capacity or another since then. I have noticed my biggest improvements over the last 1.5-2 years as I focused on consistency and started to understand better how sleeping and eating played into it as well. I still have a long way to go but the fundamentals have really clicked and even the smallest of accomplishments push me to continue to see what else I achieve. I continue to show up not only for myself but for the friends that I’ve made in this community!
My motivation to coach was to help people push themselves to do what they never thought they could. I truly enjoy watching athletes meet their goals and hit milestones they never thought they could get to. I learn something new every time I coach a class whether it is a better way to cue someone or a new modification to meet the athlete on their level. Celebrating even the smallest of wins or sharing a little extra encouragement on the days that are harder than others is what motivates me to continue on this coaching journey.
14
Established
150+
Current members
80+
5* reviews
7
Passionate coaches
Our Mission
How CrossFit Sumter started
CrossFit Sumter started when Gabbi realised that Sumter didn’t need another gym full of machines and no guidance — it needed coaching, structure, and a place where someone actually notices when you don’t show up.
As head coach under the previous owners, Gabbi worked side by side to build CFS into something more than an old-school box where only people who wanted to suffer would fit in. When those owners had to sell unexpectedly, letting it go wasn’t an option.
What began as a leap of faith — terrifying and exciting in equal measure — has grown into a gym that serves everyday people from across Sumter and the surrounding areas. Stay at home parents, busy professionals, complete beginners, and everyone in between.
Today, the team of 7 coaches helps people train in a way that’s challenging, safe, and — most importantly — something they actually want to keep doing.
