About

Everyone In Their Element

Element Fitness offers a variety of services unique to our facility. We are the home of CrossFit RTR and the brand new HIIT program, X4. Our coaches, community, and amenities are unmatched. On top of that, our gym also offers a smoothie bar offering organic fruit smoothies, a lobby to enjoy post workout drinks and snacks, apparel, fully-stocked showers, and Physiolete Physical Therapy. We are conveniently located in downtown Tuscaloosa with a private parking lot just outside our entrance.

Our Story

 
 
 

2013

CrossFit RTR opened in August 2013 inside the local YMCA. We started in a small 1400sq foot room located on the 2nd floor, only accessible by staircase. Our membership outgrew our space, exceeding over 100 members in less than a year. We began the search for our new location, realizing the importance to stay centrally located in the downtown Tuscaloosa area. We also love being near the UA campus and we needed space to better serve our community, as well as to continue to grow the RTR family.

 

2015

CrossFit RTR moved to the current location in January 2015, and more than doubled the membership within the first year. CrossFit RTR continued to grow and solidify ourselves as the premier CrossFit facility in the Tuscaloosa area, while establishing a strong coaching staff and community that loves and supports one another.

 
 
 
 
 

2018

CrossFit RTR continued to expand the services available to our members and the Tuscaloosa community by adding the RTR Smoothie Bar in August 2018. Later that same year, we were given then unique opportunity to add an entirely new fitness program to our facility, the HIIT program known as X4, through our relationship with Nexus Fitness in Birmingham.

 

2019

In order for our name to more accurately describe all the many services we offer, we decided to rebrand. In August 2019, after intense planning and research we became Element Fitness. While our name and look have changed, our core values and commitment to the community remains the same. We are excited to continue to offer the best fitness experience possible!

 

2022

Under New Ownership – After coaching at Element Fitness for almost 6 years, Drew & Brittany Shamblin are new owners of Element Fitness.

 

“We truly cannot express how excited we are to be in the gym more and continue to love others and be a part of your lives. The last almost six years that we’ve coached at Element have been extremely special! This transition into ownership has been such a blessing for our family and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for our family and our gym family.
We need to thank two amazing people that have not only created what the gym is today, but has so graciously let us be the ones that take on the future of the gym that they built. Cary & Carla have played a huge role in our lives for the last 12 years, and this is just one more incredible moment we get to share with them.  We are beyond thankful that they trust us to pass on the legacy. Without a doubt, #bestgyminttown!”

-Drew & Brittany Shamblin

Coaches

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Drew Shamblin

Owner, Head CrossFit Coach and Programming

Brittany Shamblin

Owner, X4 coach