Soli Deo Gloria. To God alone be the glory.
That’s what Soli Deo Gloria Fitness and Health owner Abby Allen, wants her clients to remember each time they attend a class at her Bluff Park studio. After all, her fitness classes began as a local church wellness ministry – and will continue to have God at the center.
“The heart of this is a ministry,” said Abby. “It’s how I get to be the Lord’s hands and feet. This is my purpose and how I serve others.”
At SDG, the gym’s walls are adorned with scripture verses that were chosen by Abby’s clients. A GroupMe features devotionals and exercise challenges with a spiritual component. Both speak to SDG’s origins as a group Bible study that morphed into community workouts at a church gym, and continues to serve members from Hoover and beyond.
While Abby wants to encourage her clients to better themselves physically and spiritually, she added that it’s also important for her studio to be a safe place to try new things, even if that means failing. “It’s important for people to be seen, loved and met where they are,” she said.
One of the ways she shows love for her clients is through celebratory birthday workouts. Leading up to the big day, a client can share with Abby if they want to do a special workout on their birthday.
It can be themed to certain music, include reps that mimic their age, or be built around a favorite exercise, like the “Climb to 40” Cardio workout she created for a recent milestone birthday.
For Abby, SDG’s daily workout classes and personalized nutrition plans are an extension of her career as a pediatrician. She became certified in personal training and nutrition in 2020 so that she could educate her patients and their families on how to eat better and fuel their bodies affordably.
Now, she gets to spend her days living out her calling in the health and wellness space in different places and through different forms. When asked how she balances her work as a pediatrician with the fitness studio, she points back to the people and the community she serves.
“I have an amazing spouse who serves in and out of the home, children who are living their purpose, and friends who can fill in the gaps. My pediatric practice also supports and encourages what I do.” Though ultimately, she says it all comes down to living her purpose, the Lord’s will, and His perfect timing.
SDG Fitness and Health offers community workouts with a greater purpose. Join us in our Bluff Park studio—where you’ll never do the same workout twice—for physical exercise and spiritual encouragement.
Find the Workout for You
SDG’s workout schedule is released every Sunday on Instagram and Facebook. Each week brings different workouts, and the order in which they are offered changes, too. This ensures you never have the same workout twice!
Classes are held Monday through Thursday at 5 am, 6 am, 8:30 am, and 4:30 pm; on Fridays at 5 am, 6 am, and 8:30 am; and on Saturday at 6 am, 7 am, and 8 am.
For class schedules, special events and updates, follow SDG on Instagram @sdgfitness_health
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