Community Spotlight: Ablaze Fitness
Imagine walking into a gym where the heat hits you like a wave, not of discomfort, but of potential. Ablaze Fitness in Cabot, Arkansas, is doing more than just turning up the temperature—they’re turning up the standard of what a fitness community can be. As the only heated fitness studio in the area, Ablaze Fitness offers more than just a place to break a sweat; it offers a sanctuary for transformation, both physical and mental.
The idea of heated workouts might sound intense, and it is—but that’s the point. “The obvious benefit is the calorie burn. I mean, you’re going to burn more calories when you’re heated. The detoxification. But the stuff you don’t see is it’s good for muscle recovery and inflammation,” said co-owner Shalee Uhl, reflecting on the unique benefits of working out in a heated environment.
Uhl and her business partner, Courtney Burton, didn’t just stumble upon the idea of a heated studio—they embraced it. Burton, with over a decade of experience in group fitness, was immediately captivated by the idea when she first experienced a heated workout. “I had been teaching for years, but the heat just brought a whole new level to everything—from intensity to relaxation,” she explained. Uhl, on the other hand, was so inspired after attending a heated class that she decided, almost on a whim, to open a studio of her own. “I literally walked out and was like, I want to own one of those,” she recalled. Within days, the two women were plotting what would become Ablaze Fitness, each bringing their own strengths to the partnership—Burton’s meticulous planning and Uhl’s fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants enthusiasm.
The vision for Ablaze Fitness was clear: create a space that offers a variety of fitness options under one roof while cultivating a strong sense of community. “We didn’t want people to have to go to multiple gyms to meet their fitness needs,” Burton said. “We wanted to bring everything together in one place—from yoga to high-intensity boot camps, from cycle classes to barre Pilates.” “We wanted to be that all-in-one gym that people could call home,” Uhl added.
But Ablaze Fitness is about more than just the heat and the variety of classes. It’s about creating a space where people feel connected, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves. “I want it to be more than just a workout,” Burton explained. “I want people to feel like they’re coming home… that they’re comfortable, they’re not intimidated.” This sense of belonging is fostered through a wide range of classes that cater to every fitness level and interest. It’s a place where members don’t just come to exercise; they come to connect.
Photo courtesy of Courtney Burton
One of the standout features of Ablaze Fitness is its focus on community. “We have the best members,” Uhl said with pride. “They never even knew each other before they started coming here, and now they’re like BFFs who hang out with each other’s families.” The studio’s commitment to building relationships is evident in the way members rally around special events, like pop-up classes or holiday-themed workouts. During holidays, when many people might feel alone or disconnected, Ablaze Fitness offers themed classes, creating opportunities for members to come together and celebrate in a unique way. “We love to have special event classes,” Uhl said. “Whether it’s an 80s-themed workout or a pop-up class on Labor Day, it’s about more than just the exercise—it’s about bringing people together.”
The journey to creating this unique space wasn’t without its challenges. The studio’s first location was a small, 800-square-foot space, which quickly became too cramped to accommodate the growing number of members. The decision to expand came sooner than expected, bringing with it the stress of relocating and rebuilding. “We didn’t expect to relocate within a year… it’s a lot of mental, emotional, and financial strain when you haven’t completely recovered from the first one,” Uhl admitted. Despite these hurdles, the expansion was a necessary step to keep the momentum going. “You either grow, or you stagnate,” Uhl added, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement.
The new location, which opened in April 2024, offers a much larger space, allowing for a greater variety of classes and more comfortable facilities for members. The expansion also included the addition of a functional training room, which, while not heated, provides a space for high-intensity workouts without the need for external air conditioning. “It’s about offering flexibility,” Burton explained. “Not everyone wants the heat all the time, so we made sure to have options for everyone.”
As Ablaze Fitness continues to grow, Burton and Uhl are already looking ahead to the future. The idea of franchising the studio is on the horizon, a prospect that excites both women. “At the end of the day, it’s Ablaze, but for the most part, the following’s from Courtney,” Uhl noted, acknowledging the strong connection Burton has built with their members. Expanding to new locations will require finding the right people who can carry the Ablaze torch—someone with the same passion and ability to create that sense of community. “We’ve had people ask us about opening locations in other cities, but it’s important to us that the same level of care and community is maintained,” Burton said. “That’s the challenge, but also the opportunity, in growing.”
For now, Ablaze Fitness is firmly rooted in Cabot, offering a unique blend of heated workouts, a strong sense of community, and a variety of fitness options to meet everyone’s needs. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone just beginning their fitness journey, Ablaze has something for you. And as Burton and Uhl continue to stoke the flames of their growing enterprise, one thing is certain: Ablaze is more than just a gym; it’s a place where people come to transform—not just their bodies, but their lives.
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