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About the gym

A neighborhood gym built for real life

Small Town Fitness started with a simple idea: make it easy for people in Burnsville, NC to feel stronger, move better, and connect with their community.

24/7

Anytime access for members

Our story

Small Town Fitness studio space in Burnsville, NC

Our facility has evolved immensely since opening our doors in 2018. Over time, we've grown from a single weight room to a large, multilevel facility totaling over 5,200 sq. ft. Our gym is very unique and offers something for everyone.

On the main level, you will find a “typical” gym layout with cardio machines, free weights, and strength & cable machines. Once you pass through the hallway to go downstairs to our lower level, you find a large, open floor training space with many Rogue Rigs along the walls. With a design similar to most Functional Fitness gyms, this space allows you to exercise however you like. Fit with high ceilings, rubber floors, free weights, barbells, bumper plates, kettlebells, medicine balls, rowing machines, pull up bars and more!

But it doesn't stop there! Access another open floor training space on our lower level complete with more free weights, Rogue Rigs, Smith machine, barbells, bumper plates and more. This space is unique as it also doubles as a “Yoga Studio” for the various classes offered at Small Town Fitness. Like to exercise in the fresh air? Open up one or all of our garage doors during your workout, or step outside on the pavement to exercise however you like.

Want to play outdoor pickleball? We've got two fenced in courts right outside too! At Small Town Fitness, we are always improving and growing our facility to help give our members the best workout experience possible.

Our mission

We opened our doors to give Burnsville, NC a gym that was centered around the “small-town feel” our community is known for. A place where you're greeted by name, where coaches remember your goals, and where you never feel like you're working out alone in a crowded room. We strive to always make Small Town Fitness have a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

Our gym offers 24/7 member access because we want you to be able to exercise on YOUR schedule. Also, we keep our membership rates always at an affordable rate for the people of our community. Our mission is to help everyday people build strength, confidence and provide an overall improvement to their health. We believe fitness should feel welcoming, sustainable, and tailored to your life — not something you have to dread or do perfectly to see results.

Membership

Flexible plans, no contracts

24/7 key-card access for all members

Every membership is month-to-month with no joining fees. Autopay is available and can be cancelled at any time — no strings attached.

Full Gym + Pickleball

Full access to the weight rooms, equipment, and pickleball courts.

  • Individual or family plans
  • Autopay or cash/check payment

Special rates available for Armed Forces, Firefighters, Police & First Responders, Glen Raven employees, and Mountain Heritage High School students.

Pickleball Only

Court access without a full gym membership.

  • Individual or family plans
  • Autopay or cash/check payment

Classes & Personal Training

Flexible options open to gym members and non-members alike. Drop in for a single class or train on a regular schedule.

  • Functional Fitness
  • Personal Training
  • Yoga
  • Aerial Fitness
  • Pickleball

See our full list of class offerings →

Call or text for full pricing details

We'd love to walk you through our membership options and find the right fit for your budget and goals.

+1 (828) 284-2729

Our team

Meet our team

Our instructors come from different backgrounds — strength, yoga, aerial fitness, and more — but they share a commitment to making movement feel achievable for everyone.

Amanda Alvarado

Functional Fitness Instructor
Personal Trainer
Portrait of Amanda Alvarado

As the manager and trainer here at Small Town Fitness, Amanda believes the true strength isn’t just about what you can lift in the gym – it’s about making your everyday life easier. Whether you are lifting groceries, playing with your kids, or working a demanding job, Amanda is here to help you move better, feel better and live with more energy. She brings a deep, hands-on understanding of the human body to our local community. Amanda is a certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and has completed an intensive 300-hour in-person, sports medicine technology course. Because the science of fitness is always evolving, she constantly studies & learns new techniques to ensure you receive the safest, most effective coaching available. Whether you want to lift heavier, move better, or just figure out how to start your fitness journey, Amanda is here to help you do it safely and effectively. Let’s get to work!

Contact Amanda directly for class schedules and/or inquiries.

Dawn Schmeiss

Aerial Fitness Instructor
Portrait of Dawn Schmeiss

Dawn brings a grounded, supportive approach to aerial fitness, blending strength, mobility, and mindful movement with an emphasis on body awareness, breath, and sustainable progress. With experience teaching a range of styles since her certification in 2017, Dawn’s classes prioritize accessibility, nervous system regulation, and helping students build confidence, resilience, and trust in their bodies.

Specialties

  • Functional strength
  • Mind-body connection & balance
  • Beginner-friendly progressions
  • Mobility & joint health
  • Body awareness & neuromuscular coordination
  • Breathwork & nervous system regulation

Contact Dawn directly for class schedules and/or inquiries.

Marie González

Yoga Instructor
Portrait of Marie González

Certified in 2017, Marie has taught hundreds of students while continuing to train and learn more about health and fitness, human anatomy, and the physiology of movement. She was the editor of Embodied Posture: Your Unique Body and Yoga, which is highly regarded as one of the best texts available for yoga teachers and students alike.

Specialties

  • Mobility
  • Balance
  • Strength
  • Flexibility
  • Breath work
  • Stress reduction
  • Injury prevention
  • Brain health

Certifications

  • ERYT-200 (1,000+ teaching hours) - Yoga Alliance
  • RYT-500 (500+ training hours) - Yoga Alliance
  • YACEP (Continuing education provider for other teachers) - Yoga Alliance
  • Embodied Posture Method Teacher - The Yoga Project
  • Gravity Yoga Teacher - Yoga Body Yoga Teachers College
  • Yoga Trapeze Teacher - Yoga Body Yoga Teachers College
  • Brain Longevity Specialist - Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation

Contact Marie directly for class schedules and/or inquiries.

Mike Baldwin Sr.

Pickleball Coach
Portrait of Mike Baldwin Sr.

Coach Mike Baldwin Sr. and his wife Willi (Assistant Coach) enjoy leading & teaching outdoor Pickleball clinics and group drill sessions at Small Town Fitness in Burnsville, NC. Originally from Florida, Coach Mike has called Yancey County home for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience.

Experience

  • RSPA / USPTA Certified Master Professional – Tennis & Pickleball
  • Accredited Pickleball Ambassador for this region
  • Gold Medalist at the 2026 U.S. Open National Pickleball Championship
  • Former college tennis player at Florida State University (FSU)
  • Former college tennis coach at Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
  • Florida High School Coach of the Year
  • Master’s in Education and Psychology of Sport (his thesis focused on racquet sports)

Contact Mike directly for class schedules and/or inquiries.

Tish Trescott

Personal Trainer
Portrait of Tish Trescott

At Small Town Fitness, Tish found the community she didn’t even know she was missing. Growing up as a multi-sport athlete (and later competing as an NCAA Division I track & field thrower) gave Tish a strong foundation in training and discipline. After stepping away for a while, getting back into the gym reignited that passion and inspired Tish to become a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer. Along with her certification, Tish brings a deep understanding of body systems and mechanics through her background in both nursing and sports medicine. Tish's goal is to combine that knowledge with her love for fitness to help others feel stronger and more confident.

Contact Tish directly for class schedules and/or inquiries.

24/7 key-card access

Explore our classes & training

See how yoga, aerial fitness, pickleball, and personal training can fit into your week.

View training options