MEET THE GARAGE GYM LADY

I’m Abby—The Garage Gym Lady and founder of Blacktop Fit. I’m 52, a wife, *mom of three, and a lifelong coach, teacher, and garage gym junkie with 30+ years of experience.

I’m passionate about empowering people—especially women & kids—discover the power of lifting weights, working out and getting stronger, especially with age. I help women 50+ and beginners get started, build strength, confidence, and consistency through functional fitness training.  I help you FEEL GOOD! 

"The Playground" is my FREE online fitness space where you train on your time, at your pace, and in your own space.

LET'S PLAY! RULE YOUR BLACKTOP!

*My crew--D1 rower and future RD, national and world-ranked Olympic weightlifter, a beauty pro with serious game—and my garage gym besties, Gus & Dude.

It all started in 2008.  I was extremely out of shape, hadn’t exercised seriously since high school sports and felt like a beginner. I was a busy mom of three kids under 4, and my body hurt ALL the time. I felt 80. I thought, this can’t be what it feels like after having kids, being a mom and getting older.

Running 200 meters felt like a marathon—still does sometimes. I could barely jump on a curb without support. Ten-pound dumbbells were heavy. I was weak, frustrated, ready for change. Ready being the key word.

8 months after one of my babies, I tried a bootcamp in the park. This was the moment everything shifted, a light bulb went off.  I realized, it wasn’t just about a better body or losing weight—it was about FEELING BETTER, STRONGER, MORE IN CONTROL OF MY ENERGY AND MINDSET.  It wasn't until a few years after this that I really started my journey at another bootcamp in the park. The coolest thing...after some time my joints and body stopped hurting.

It's taken years of raw, messy, RELENTLESS hard work to get where I am today. The greatest lesson I've learned is fitness isn’t a straight line to success. It’s tough, gritty, unpredictable, but always worth it.

Now, in perimenopause and menopause, I see how essential strength and fitness are, and will continue to be, for my well-being. I'm grateful for the habits I built that have and will continue to carry me through these life stages.

It’s never too late to start. Build the habits now. Your future self will thank you.

I never imagined showing up at a bootcamp class in the park would change my life the way it did.  

These Top 11 Fit Tips have kept me grounded, realistic, and moving forward. Maybe they can help you, too.

• Seeing people, especially women, get fitter, stronger, and more confident is truly inspiring.

• The moment when the focus shifts from the number on the scale, body image and realizing what you're capable of—loving newfound strength and muscle—that’s when the real magic happens.

• Being part of little wins, small successes, and watching how life outside the gym improves—that’s where true progress lies.

Favorites:

• Lifting heavy, dumbbell snatches, slamballs, cleans, squats.

• Workouts that challenge me and make me question life and if I’ll finish.

• The calm, focus, and energy post-workout.

• The feeling of being wrapped in a weighted blanket all day.

• Burpees? Yes, please!  Especially if they come with box jump, pull-ups, or weights. Devil’s Press = FaVoRiTe!

Least Favorites:

• Bodyweight movements: push-ups, planks, running.

• Anything requiring coordination

• I may dress like a Jazzercise gal with leg warmers and a sweatband at times, but I run into walls walking and mix up right and left ALL the time.

Education & Certifications

• B.A. Journalism & Mass Communications, Iowa State University

• M.A. Education, William & Mary

• Barbell Rehab, CrossFit L1 (x2), CrossFit Kids, CrossFit Olympic Lifting, CrossFit Gymnastics

• The BrandX Method (ACE equivalent)

• NASM, Precision Nutrition, GGS Coaching Certification for Women Materials

Experience

• 30+ years of combined teaching and coaching experience

• Worked with all ages and fitness levels: 3-year-olds to 70+, beginners to advanced athletes

• Experience in personal training, small groups, gyms, homes, parks, schools, businesses, and online coaching

Specialties

• Strength & Conditioning | Functional Fitness | CrossFit | General Weightlifting | Resistance Training | HIIT | Core Training

• Expertise in coaching women over 40 and beginner/novice strength & conditioning

Fitness Achievements

• 17+ years in fitness and still going strong

• Masters Athlete: 2x Top 200 in the World CrossFit Open/Age Group Online Qualifier (45-49)

• Top 10% in 50-54 Age Group

Additional Roles

• Special Education Aide, Kindergarten & Preschool Teacher

• Former Co-owner of The Spanish Clubhouse for Kids