Full Breakdown
Gym Love Partners with Iron Battalion CrossFit for Expansion in South Lake Tahoe
4/8/2026, 1:55:49 PM
Overview of the Expansion
Gym Love, a fitness center in South Lake Tahoe, California, is expanding its offerings by partnering with Iron Battalion CrossFit. This collaboration aims to create a welcoming environment for individuals who may feel intimidated by traditional gym settings. The expansion is set to be completed by mid-April 2025 and will feature a new space with scenic mountain views.
Vision and Mission
The partnership between Gym Love and Iron Battalion CrossFit was initiated by Gym Love owners Ted and Amber Kennedy, who have a history of successful businesses in the Tahoe area, including Base Camp Pizza Co. and California Burger Company. Ted Kennedy emphasized their mission to foster a sense of belonging in the fitness community, stating, “Our focus has always been on the 80% of people who don’t feel comfortable in a traditional gym setting.” This sentiment is echoed by Sony Graeb, owner of Iron Battalion CrossFit, who believes in the importance of community within fitness. Graeb noted, “It’s all about community... the group feeling of being in a class, working, suffering, and crushing it with other people, you just feed off each other’s energy.”
Background of Iron Battalion CrossFit
Founded in Los Angeles, Iron Battalion CrossFit has a mission similar to that of Gym Love, focusing on inclusivity and support. Graeb, who started her journey in CrossFit in 2013, faced challenges in her early experiences with gyms, which motivated her to create a welcoming environment when she opened her own gym in 2014. After merging with another gym in 2019, Graeb was forced to close her Los Angeles location due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Relocating to Tahoe, she met the Kennedys, leading to the current partnership.
Services Offered
The new facility will not only provide CrossFit classes but also heart rate-based interval training, nutrition plans, and personalized coaching. The expansion aims to enhance the fitness experience by offering a variety of services, including group classes and weightlifting programs, all under the guidance of certified coaches. Graeb highlighted the inclusive nature of their offerings, stating, “CrossFit may sound tough, but we’re a small family and we’re passionate about what we’re doing. It doesn’t matter if you’re 16 or 80, this is for everyone.”
Official Statements
Ted Kennedy expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This new expansion with Iron Battalion CrossFit is a powerful extension of [our] vision.” He believes that the new space will energize individuals as soon as they enter, enhancing their fitness journey.
What's Next
As the construction progresses towards its mid-April completion, Gym Love and Iron Battalion CrossFit are preparing to welcome new members and foster a supportive fitness community in South Lake Tahoe. The facility is located at 3979 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Unit 3, and interested individuals can learn more about their offerings by visiting their website.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We felt like the fitness industry could use more love. We wanted to bring a level of hospitality that we were good at in our restaurants – where people are welcomed by name, cared for, and made to feel like they truly belong,” — Ted Kennedy, Co-owner of Gym Love
- “Graeb thought, “This can’t be it”, so she took everything she didn’t like and turned it into the opposite, opening her own CrossFit gym in 2014.” — Sony Graeb, reflecting on her early experiences in CrossFit.