Straight Shot Training Wins SASS Choice Award for Best Health & Fitness Center
- Jonny Slick
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
A Big Win for Our Coaching Crew and Community
I’m excited to share that Straight Shot Training has been named the Best Health & Fitness Center in Frederick in the 2025 SASS Choice Awards. This marks our second year in a row winning this Best Gym award, and it means so much because the winners are chosen by public vote. That means this recognition came directly from our community - our members, friends, and supporters who believe in what we’re building here.
With more than 225+ active members, our gym has become a place where strength and support go hand in hand. It’s a reflection of the daily dedication of our coaching crew and the energy of our members who show up, work hard, and cheer each other on.
Who SASS Magazine Is and Why This Award Matters
For those who don’t know, SASS Magazine is a well-respected women’s lifestyle publication based right here in Frederick, MD. Every year they run the SASS Choice Awards, where readers vote for their favorite local businesses across dozens of categories.
The Best Health & Fitness Center award is one of the most competitive, and to win it two years in a row is a huge honor. For us, it isn’t just about a title - it’s proof of the relationships we’ve built and the way this community has rallied around our mission.
From Shed Videos to an Award-Winning Studio in 2025
When people see us winning awards today, it’s easy to forget where we started. Straight Shot Training began back in 2017 as an online-only company. My wife Rachel and I created it to help us raise money to adopt our son, Wesley, while I was working 3 other jobs to try to make ends meet. During COVID, I was filming workout videos in a shed, running Zoom sessions from my landlord’s basement, training people outside in parks from Shepherdstown to Frederick, and spending every waking moment building the back end of what would eventually become Straight Shot Training.
The fitness industry was in rough shape during the pandemic, and honestly, I didn’t know what the future would hold - for me, for the gym, or for the industry as a whole. But I knew one thing: I wanted to create a space where people could feel strong, confident, and supported.
In 2021, with the help of my business partner Chris, we took Straight Shot from online-only to an in-person studio in Frederick, MD. Together, we opened our doors with a clear vision:
Deliver small group personal training that’s individualized, effective, and welcoming.
Build a culture where personal trainers are valued and supported - something that’s too often missing in commercial gyms.
Put community first, so members and coaches alike always feel like they’re part of something bigger.
It hasn’t been easy, but thanks to the trust of our members, the support of my wife and my co-owner Chris, and the hard work of our coaching crew, we’ve built something worth celebrating.
Thank You to Our Members and Coaches
We may have won “Best Gym,” but this award isn’t about a physical space - it’s about the people who walk through these doors and the coaches who give their all every day. Our coaching crew represents the heart of Straight Shot Training. They’re the reason our members get stronger, stay consistent, and keep coming back. I can’t thank them enough for what they do every day here.
And to our members: thank you. Your votes, your trust, and your commitment are the foundation of everything we do.
Why Choose Straight Shot Training?
Being voted the Best Health & Fitness Center in Frederick isn’t about popularity - it’s about results. At Straight Shot Training, you’re not left to figure things out on your own. Every workout is:
Coached by a professional trainer who knows your goals.
Personalized so you can train safely and effectively.
Supportive, with teammates who push and encourage you along the way.
If you’ve been searching for a personal trainer in Frederick, MD, or a gym that offers the accountability of small group personal training, I’d love for you to see for yourself why we’ve been voted the best.
Ready to Experience It for Yourself?
We’d love to meet you. Come try a Free Strong Start Session - it includes:
A consultation with one of our coaches
A short, customized workout
A clear plan for moving forward
No strings attached. Just a chance to experience what makes Straight Shot Training different.