Bags & Barbells

Looking for personal training, kickboxing, or fitness coaching in Johns Creek?

Bags & Barbells is a Johns Creek fitness studio built for people who want more than a typical gym membership. The studio offers a mix of kickboxing, boxing, strength training, stretching, movement work, and personalized coaching in a setting that feels more hands-on than a big-box gym.

Owner and coach Marc Payne brings a deeply personal approach to fitness. His own journey started after reaching 350 pounds as a teenager, eventually losing 160 pounds and discovering martial arts, kickboxing, and training. That experience shaped the way he helps others: not by forcing people into a generic workout, but by helping them see what is possible mentally and physically.

At Bags & Barbells, the goal is not just to burn calories. The goal is to help people move better, feel better, build confidence, and reconnect with their body in a way that can carry into everyday life.

Why We Featured Bags & Barbells

Gwinnett Spotlight featured Bags & Barbells because Marc’s approach stood out as something much more personal than the usual fitness pitch.

During the interview, Marc talked about fitness as a connection between mind, body, and soul. He shared stories of helping people overcome pain, rebuild confidence, improve movement, and experience real change beyond the gym floor. His heart for people came through clearly, especially in the way he described choosing people over quick sales throughout his career.

For locals who have tried crowded gyms, generic classes, or trainers who do not truly adjust to the person in front of them, Bags & Barbells offers a different kind of experience.

The Story Behind the Business

Marc Payne has spent decades in the fitness industry, working in major gyms, managing fitness departments, training clients, and helping build clubs. But over time, he became frustrated with the way larger fitness companies often treated both trainers and clients.

One moment that shaped him came when he was working with a 71-year-old woman who wanted to regain movement. When he learned she was also hoping to buy a bike so she could ride with her grandkids, he chose to give her several sessions for free so she could still buy the bike. That decision came from a simple belief: fitness should support someone’s life, not take away from what matters most.

After years in large gyms and franchise fitness models, Marc eventually built his own approach. Bags & Barbells reflects that experience — part kickboxing, part strength training, part movement coaching, and part personal transformation.

What They Offer

Bags & Barbells offers a fitness experience that can be adjusted to the person walking through the door.

Services and training elements include:

• Kickboxing-inspired fitness

• Boxing

• Strength training

• Dynamic stretching

• Movement coaching

• Holistic stretching

• Pain management support

• Trigger point and mobility-focused work

• Personalized workout adjustments

Marc described the program as a 10-station format that gives structure while still allowing him to adjust the workout for each individual. That means someone can come in for kickboxing, fitness, strength, movement, or a mix of all of it.

What Makes Them Different

What makes Bags & Barbells different is the level of personalization.

Marc does not see training as simply giving someone exercises to complete. He looks at how the person moves, what they do during the day, where they may be tight or weak, and what kind of support their body actually needs.

For example, he talked about how someone who sits in a chair for long periods may need attention on hamstrings, calves, quads, lower back, and hip flexors. That kind of thinking is very different from walking into a crowded class and doing the same workout as everyone else.

He also emphasized that many people may assume kickboxing is not for them. But once they come in, they often realize the program is not about intimidation. It is about meeting people where they are and helping them build strength, confidence, movement, and consistency.

Who They Are Best For

Bags & Barbells is a strong fit for people in Johns Creek who want a more personal fitness experience than a standard gym.

They may be especially helpful for:

• People who feel intimidated by traditional gyms

• Adults who want to move better and feel stronger

• People interested in kickboxing or boxing for fitness

• People who want workouts adjusted to their body

• Anyone who has aches, stiffness, or movement concerns

• People who want coaching, not just equipment

• Locals who want a smaller, more personal fitness environment

This is not the kind of place where someone is handed a membership and left on their own. Bags & Barbells is best for people who want guidance, accountability, and a coach who genuinely pays attention.

Gwinnett Spotlight Recommendation

Bags & Barbells is one of those local businesses that people may not fully understand until they walk through the door. From the outside, someone may assume it is only kickboxing or only for certain types of athletes. But the story behind the business shows something deeper.

For Johns Creek locals looking for a fitness coach who combines experience, movement knowledge, personal attention, and a genuine heart for helping people change their lives, Bags & Barbells is worth knowing about.