Former Lions football player Jamie Dixon opened a new workout facility in the Shoals area this summer for anybody looking to workout.

Jamie Dixon opened Fit Facility for all people in the area. From shedding a few pounds to toning athletic prowess, Dixon’s facility will help a number of people find fitness.

Dixon said the idea to open a training facility came from his drive in the weight room early in his life.

“I’ve had a passion for strength and conditioning since the first time I walked into a weight room,” Dixon said. “As a young athlete, I was never the most talented person on the field, so I knew I needed to live in the weight room.”

Dixon started at center on the offensive line for the Lions for three years, including being an All-Gulf South, All-Region and an All-American his senior year at UNA. Dixon spent a year interning for the North Alabama football team before accepting a graduate assistant job for the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns as a strength and conditioning coach.

After finishing his degree in Kinesiology, Dixon said he wanted to open a facility to let people train and workout.

Dixon said owning a workout facility was something he always wanted to try after college ended for him.

“This has always been a dream of mine,” he said. “I’m constantly engaged with some aspect of strength and conditioning throughout the day.”

Dixon said he gave thought to opening “The Fit Facility” by deciding he should act instead of over-thinking the situation. Dixon said it was easy to talk about doing it, but it came a time where he wanted to do it and went for it.

Dixon said one of the hardest tasks was coming up with a name for his workout facility.

“I could have easily named it ‘Dixon’s Athletic Performance’ or something like that, but I didn’t think that would be the best option,” Dixon said. “Finding a name that wasn’t already being used was a challenge of sorts.”

He settled on the name The Fit Facility because it could stand out, and if Dixon wanted to expand into multiple buildings he could with ease in the future if needed.

Dixon said The Fit Facility offers two classes for people looking to get fit. One of the classes is for the general population to lose a few pounds or tone their bodies. The second class is for athletes looking for performance help. The athletics-related class is for high school/college age people looking for help.

“I’ve run camps that these athletes go to get a look from schools,” Dixon said. “I know the nuances coaches look for not only physically, but mentally.”

Senior Camren Agee said he does not mind where he works out.

“I’m always down to throw some weight around in a new place,” Agee said.

Dixon’s new workout facility is in downtown Florence on 315 East Alabama Street. The Fit Facility is also on Facebook and Instagram @Fit_Facility. Dixon said students, nurses, EMT, law enforcement, vets and other groups will receive discounts.