This feature originally ran in the November 2025-January 2026 issue of Community Matters, the quarterly magazine produced by The Cullman Tribune.
Tally Ho Fitness is more than your average gym; the moment you step through the doors, you’ll experience the kind of encouragement that makes even the most challenging workouts feel possible and become part of a community focused on building one another up and achieving goals. That sense of belonging is exactly what owner Cassie Johnson envisioned when she opened the gym.
Johnson began her career in a chemistry lab in Birmingham, where every day on her lunch breaks, she would gather her coworkers to go to the gym.
“One day, a coworker said, ‘Cassie, you enjoy torturing us way more than you enjoy running these tests in the lab. You need to do that.’ That was the push I needed,” she said.
Returning to Cullman, Johnson saw an opportunity to create a space where people didn’t just show up to work out, but where they felt noticed, welcomed and supported.
“You are going to be called by your name and you are going to feel like you belong here,” she said. “It’s important to me that you know you matter.”
Over the years, Tally Ho has grown into much more than a CrossFit gym. Classes blend strength and conditioning with warm-ups, cooldowns and skill work, all designed to fit neatly into an hour.
“I know people have families, jobs and commitments,” explained Johnson. “My goal is to give them everything they need in the time they have.”
Nutrition coaching has become one of the most impactful additions, making a huge difference for Tally Ho members. The programming also stays fresh with seasonal challenges and clinics, from gymnastics workshops to outdoor rucks and hikes.
“We want to be well-rounded,” she said. “CrossFit pushes you to be a little bit good at everything.”
Johnson credits her staff with helping bring her vision to life.
“The people who work here are passionate about what they do. They have a fire in them about helping people, too, and I couldn’t ask for a better team,” she said.
Tally Ho isn’t just about achieving fitness goals; it’s also about building meaningful relationships, boosting self-confidence and becoming part of a community.
“If you’re looking for a group of people that have your back, who will give you high fives for the small wins and call to check on you if you miss a class, this is the place for you,” said Johnson.
