History
ALl about Community.
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About Jugtown Fitness
Welcome to Jugtown Fitness, proudly owned and operated by Gene Paul and Tonya Branham. Our name honors the deep roots of the place we call home — Gardendale, Alabama, a community with a history as strong and resilient as the people who live here.
From Jugtown to Gardendale
Before it was known as Gardendale, this area was called Jugtown — a small rural settlement in the 1800s known for its pottery and craftsmanship. A local pottery once produced clay jugs and churns that supplied homes and farms across the region. Over time, the community grew, and in 1906, a local teacher named Hettie Thomason Cargo led the charge to give the town a new name — Gardendale — symbolizing growth, renewal, and pride in the land.
From its humble Jugtown beginnings to the vibrant city it is today, Gardendale has always been built on hard work, connection, and community — values we carry into every workout, every class, and every moment inside Jugtown Fitness.
Our Story
Under the leadership of Gene Paul Branham and Tonya Branham, Jugtown Fitness enters a new chapter with the same heart. After three years as part of a local gym similar to Jugtown Fitness, Gene Paul and Tonya are stepping forward to lead with one clear mission: to keep the community that changed their lives together and thriving.
Their passion for fitness and their deep commitment to people ensure that the spirit of working out as a community lives on—stronger than ever. Jugtown Fitness is built on community roots, and we’re proud to continue pouring into Gardendale with purpose, energy, and love.
Our Mission
Just like the potters and pioneers who shaped Jugtown long ago, we believe in building something lasting — strength, friendship, and transformation from the ground up. Here’s to new beginnings, same family — and to honoring our town’s past as we shape its future, one workout at a time.
