Hey Knoxville!

Spring is here, the sun’s sticking around longer, and if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to shake off winter and get moving again — this is it. This week we’re leaning into wellness. Not the trendy, complicated, $300-leggings kind. The real kind: showing up, getting stronger, knowing your neighbors, and being a little more capable than you were last month.

That mindset is exactly why we’re excited to introduce you to Chris Berrier and Elev8 Fitness on Chapman Highway. Small gym, big mission, and the kind of place where someone actually notices when you walk through the door.

“My name is Chris Berrier, and I started Elev8 Fitness with one goal in mind — to help people, not to get rich. Everything I’ve done in life has been about serving others. From my military experience to my current role as a corrections officer, that mission has never changed. With over 20 years of experience in weight training, MMA competition, and working on high-performance teams, I’ve built Elev8 Fitness to pass that knowledge on.

Elev8 was created for one reason: to make people capable again. The world has gotten soft, and I’m committed to changing that one person at a time.

I’m proud to have two dedicated trainers on staff — Meghan Laing and Derrick Nelson — who are ready to help anyone, regardless of age or gender, become the best version of themselves. We offer memberships starting at just $25/month, with discounts available for emergency services, teachers, and seniors.

This is a small gym with an old-school feel. We may not have the newest equipment, but you won’t be waiting around for machines, and you’ll know everyone by name. When you walk through our doors, you’ll be ready to work, and you’ll be pushed by both our trainers and the community around you.

I’m proud to serve the same community I’ve spent my entire life in, and I’m here to help in any way I can. Don’t hesitate to stop by, say hello, and talk about fitness, nutrition, or even just life. We offer a free one-day pass — no strings attached.

We hope to see you at Elev8 Fitness. 5001 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, TN.”

Go give Chris a visit and tell him The Knoxville Report sent you. A free day pass and no pressure — that’s about as easy as a first step gets.

Follow Chris and Elev8 on socials: Facebook • Instagram • Website

Plenty going on around town this week. Three picks worth putting on the calendar:

Downtown Knoxville turns into one of the biggest street parties of the year. Four stages of music and performance, food from around the world, and a full day of wandering Gay Street with the whole city out. Free to attend, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Grammy winner Hunter Hayes brings an intimate acoustic-leaning night to the Bijou. Great room, great voice, perfect Saturday date night. Doors at 7 p.m.

Whatever you get out to this week — go move, go listen, go say hi to someone new. See you next week, Knoxville.