The building in which
Gilly's Gym is located was built in 1933 by Doris Gilbert and leased to Hood's Ice Cream to be used as a deepfreeze. Hood's had a 30 year lease on the building but with the advent of the refrigerator truck, it
became obsolete and was left vacant. In the early 1960's there were no gyms in Waterville and very few weights to work out with at all. Doris Gilbert supplied the building on
Seavey Street to his son, Ernie Gilbert, which "Gilly's" has remained the gym's location for 40 years.
What started out as a very low key operation, has grown into a well-respected
business in Waterville. The transition process has included constant renovations, expansions and the demolition of five surrounding buildings to make room for these expansions and necessary parking that goes along
with it. Today the gym has access from both Lindin Street and Seavey Street with ample parking on both streets.
Along with the physical plant, expansions have come broadening of the
equipment and services the gym offers. In the 1970's and 1980's Gilly's produced dozens of Junior National, Senior National and Masters' National Champions. Gilly's is especially proud of its four World
Champions; Ann Turbyne, Ernie Hackett, Ginger Lord and Shelby Corson.
The early 1990's saw entire High School athletic teams training at Gilly's to increases their strength and
improve camaraderie.
Since the mid 1990's, Gilly's has worked with the medical community to develop exercise programs for people of all ages to treat and prevent chronic disease.
Gilly's Gym is proud to offer the Central Maine Area a state of the art Fitness facility, staffed by exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable fitness professionals.
