How it started…
In 2011, at just 23 years old, St. Paul native and former professional boxer Dalton Outlaw founded Element Gym with a mission to preserve boxing as a community resource in his hometown. Starting in a modest 1,200-square-foot basement on Prior Avenue, Outlaw sold his car to fund the venture, driven by a vision to create a space where fitness, mentorship, and community intersect.
Over the years, Element Gym grew into a 30,000-square-foot hub for empowerment, expanding beyond boxing to offer yoga, wrestling, high-intensity interval training, and holistic wellness programs. Today, it remains dedicated to fostering inclusivity, opportunity, and personal growth for individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
How its going…
Element Gym's mission is rooted in a commitment to fitness equity. Through its unique social impact model, the gym provides scholarships, ensuring that financial constraints never stand in the way of access to transformative programs. This dedication to community well-being led to a strategic partnership with YWCA St. Paul in 2024, relocating Element Gym’s operations to the YWCA’s Health & Fitness Center. This collaboration has expanded class offerings, programs and amenities, fostering a vibrant, inclusive environment that embodies the shared vision of both organizations: to promote health, empowerment, and opportunity within the St. Paul community.
