St. Petersburg resident Taylor Dove will open a Yard Gym franchise location Saturday at 2060 1st Ave. S. The 3,200-square-foot space has two workout zones, a sauna, and child care services.
Two distinct areas split the facility. RIG sessions pack in strength training with barbells, dumbbells, pulley systems, and other equipment. The TURF area? It’s loaded with cardio machines and kettlebells.
“Working out really benefited my mental health, and I wanted to give others the same benefits I felt,” Dove said, according to St. Pete Catalyst.
Florida gets its first location. Dove stumbled upon the franchise while scrolling through social media and secured funding through a small business loan.
“I don’t know if I ever thought of myself as a gym owner, but then there was just a thought in my mind that went ‘why not me?'” she said. “I was able to figure out how to get a small business loan. Once the loan and funding were there, I felt super confident in it.”
Members receive 8-week programmed workout cycles. Parents can drop off their kids in the child care area while they train.
“I just had a lot of friends who weren’t able to continue working out once they had kids because they couldn’t get a nanny or a day care,” Dove said.
Daniel and Tiarne Bova founded The Yard Gym in Australia back in 2020. Nike announced in May that the franchise will become the first Global Nike Training Partner — a big deal. The athletic company will make footwear, apparel, and accessories for all trainers, instructors, and team members.
The two organizations will co-create training experiences, activations, and community events.
Dove signed a lease in October 2025 after Hunger Thirst Group decided not to move forward with a summer camp-themed bar planned for the space. Renovation work included adding two showers, renovating two bathrooms, and rerouting plumbing. St. Petersburg-based design studio Form43 crafted concrete pieces for the lobby, including a front desk and hydration station.
“I think when people come in, they’re going to see that it’s more than just a workout,” Dove said. “They are going to be able to form relationships for a lifetime and I hope that it pulls people out of some of their darkest days.”