Pump iron, say a prayer: Sharpsburg's Glory Bound Gym offers teens a safe haven

Three times a week the fluorescent lights are flipped on inside Glory Bound Gym on Main Street in Sharpsburg, the doors are unlocked and the regular patrons start to arrive.

The space fills with the usual clinking of weights and laughter from youngsters who call this space their own.

“FREE GYM,” a sign in the window reads.

Glory Bound Gym doesn't offer a gym membership. Instead, it offers mentoring to youths and a safe space to congregate, lift and engage with the gospel.

Owner Larry Arndt established the gym to cater to young men, but patrons of any age are welcome free of charge.

Kelvin Turner, 64, of Sharpsburg has been visiting Glory Bound Gym since it opened in its current spot about two years ago.

“I'm diabetic and I live on a fixed income, so it's hard for me to be able to afford some place to work out like I need to,” Turner said between repetitions of curling a dumbbell.

Turner stresses the positives he has seen since starting to exercise at the gym.

“I like to see the young kids there, it's like a refuge to come in and not be hanging out on the street, it gives them something positive to do with their lives and have the camaraderie with one another.”

Nicholas McGriff, 16, of Sharpsburg said the gym is a safe haven.

“If this wasn't here, I'd probably be at home sleeping or doing something pointless,” he said.

Even though it's free, the gym is not always packed. Some days only one or two people will come through the doors. Halfway through a typical session the gym will come to a standstill for 10 minutes. The weights are put down, a prayer is said and a short sermon is delivered.

Another prayer to close, “Amen,” and with that the clinking of weights returns.

Nate Smallwood is a Tribune-Review photographer.