Gus Moore has been a member of the Charlottesville community since his days in middle school, when he engaged in sports like basketball, baseball, and swimming. At 14 years old, he started his own sneaker reselling business, working with suppliers around the country, traveling every single weekend, and selling to NBA/NFL superstars, including the 2019 UVA Basketball team.
Shortly thereafter, during the pandemic, Moore built a newfound love for working out at the gym, and his own personal success in building confidence and achieving strength led him to create Project 1%, also known as The Self Improvement Project. “We built an amazing team of 15 athletes, content creators, and business owners who created media for my company,” he said. “Our goal was to inspire and unite our audiences with positive messages and amazing content creation. This company also sold five different clothing lines, all representing our positive messages!”
Now, Moore owns Uplift Training Club on the Downtown Mall. Opened just one year ago, he said the mission of the club is simple: “To help you become the strongest, healthiest version of yourself in Charlottesville’s newest, most thoughtfully designed fitness space.” Moore took the time to talk with Charlottesville City Lifestyle to explain the club's origins and what makes it stand out.
What inspired you to open Uplift Training Club in Charlottesville, and how does this location reflect your vision?
This journey began with the success of my first company in 2019 and deepened after my own personal fitness transformation a few years later. Through that process, I developed a genuine love for self-improvement and a desire to create a place where others could experience meaningful change as well. Uplift Training Club grew from that vision. It’s more than a gym; it’s an elevated, results-driven experience supported by one of Charlottesville’s most dedicated fitness communities. Our location on the Downtown Mall has only strengthened that sense of connection, and it’s been a privilege to bring new life and purpose to the historic Hardware Store building.
How does your approach to fitness, recovery, and community differ from other gyms in the area?
While we offer amenities, services, and dedicated spaces you’d expect from a full-scale health club, we’ve intentionally preserved the personalized, community-driven atmosphere of a boutique studio. We believe in checking in on every single one of our members instead of checking every member in and out. Our expert trainers take an evidence-based approach to every fitness and recovery protocol at Uplift. Juliya Oksana and Hannah Hardy are truly the best of the best. These differentiators elevate our members' fitness and wellness experience each and every day.
You offer amenities like sauna & cold-plunge therapy, personalized one-on-one training, and a “6-week Ultimate Uplift Experience” program--which of these do members respond to most and why?
Our members value the range of distinctive amenities and services we offer, but a few have become standouts. With our Premium Membership, members can enjoy unlimited private access to our infrared sauna and cold plunge for an additional $49 per month. This space is a dark, ambient retreat designed to restore both the body and mind.
We also offer specialized hybrid coaching programs, including the 6-Week Ultimate Uplift Experience, which provides a fully customized fitness, nutrition, and recovery plan delivered through a personalized app, along with unlimited facility access and 24/7 coaching support.
Each Saturday at 10 am, our Uplift & Latte workout has become a beloved community event. This strength and conditioning class includes complimentary coffee for members, while non-members are welcome to join for just $15.
What role does the Charlottesville community play in your club--how do you engage locally and support members beyond workouts?
Local engagement and personalized support extend far beyond the workouts at Uplift Training Club. For example, our community has rallied behind members training for events like the NYC Marathon, helping them fundraise and stay motivated throughout their journey. We also make a deliberate effort to support fellow Charlottesville businesses through meaningful collaborations that strengthen our shared community. Looking ahead, we’re committed to expanding our charitable initiatives and deepening our involvement in local service projects.
Visit uplifttrainingclub.com to join the club, and follow @upliftraining on Instagram to follow the journey
I developed a genuine love for self-improvement and a desire to create a place where others could experience meaningful change as well.
We also make a deliberate effort to support fellow Charlottesville businesses through meaningful collaborations that strengthen our shared community. Looking ahead, we’re committed to expanding our charitable initiatives and deepening our involvement in local service projects.