What started as a casual idea between two friends at a Sarasota beach workout has quickly become one of St. Pete’s most talked-about new fitness communities. Just four months ago, Sydney Gault and co-founder Ava McGuire launched 727 Fit, a free, open-to-all beach workout group that has already grown beyond their expectations.
The Founders Behind the Movement
McGuire brings academic expertise and coaching experience to the venture. Holding a doctorate in Sports and Fitness Psychology, she also coaches track at Canterbury School of Florida. Gault, meanwhile, contributes a strong background in marketing, branding, and entrepreneurship, honed during her studies at Florida State University. Together, they balance the science of fitness with the strategy of building community.
Their partnership formed naturally. After meeting at a beach workout in Sarasota, they immediately clicked on the idea of bringing something similar to St. Pete. “We weren’t expecting it to blow up. We expected ten or fifteen people at the first one, but it ended up being like forty people,” recalls Gault.
Fitness for All
727 Fit hosts sessions two Sundays per month, with schedules posted on Instagram. The workouts are free and open to all ages, attracting a diverse mix of participants. On average, 50–60 people now gather for each session.
Many attendees are new to the area and looking to connect with others, while longtime locals use it as a chance to deepen their ties with the community. “From growing up here, we never really had anything like this on the beach,” says Gault. “We want to bridge the gap between downtown and the beaches. Downtown is full of young people and clubs. They go to the beach just to go to the beach, but we want to make a community out of the beach.”
Using Nature as the Gym
The workouts take full advantage of Upham Beach’s natural resources. Instead of rows of treadmills or racks of steel weights, participants run across sand, cool off in the ocean, and lift makeshift equipment. Weights are filled with sand, and rock piles become training tools.
“It’s about being out in the open air… getting all sandy and sweaty… you gotta be okay with getting down and dirty,” laughs Gault.
More Than Just Fitness
Beyond physical training, 727 Fit also helps members connect over shared interests. Whether it’s fitness, wellness, or simply the love of beach life, the group has become a hub for meaningful friendships and connections.
As the community continues to grow, McGuire and Gault remain focused on keeping it welcoming and accessible. By blending creativity, inclusivity, and the natural beauty of St. Pete’s beaches, 727 Fit is proving that fitness can be about much more than exercise—it can be the foundation of community.
