For Dillan Hollinshead, opening a gym was about more than helping people get stronger. It was about creating the kind of place he wished he’d had growing up—a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable, regardless of their fitness level, background, or personal challenges.
That vision, which began taking shape nearly 15 years ago, is now a reality at Rev Fitness in Shippensburg. Together, he and his wife, Mackenziane, have created a unique fitness and wellness facility that integrates specialized strength training, recovery services, and medical spa treatments, all with a commitment to making health and wellness accessible to the community.
Both registered nurses with backgrounds in competitive strength sports, the couple saw an opportunity to offer something different to the Shippensburg area. Dillan recognized that traditional gyms often lack the equipment and environment needed to support serious powerlifting and bodybuilding. At the same time, he wanted to create a space where both beginners and experienced athletes would feel welcome. Rev Fitness achieves this goal.
That commitment to creating a welcoming community extends beyond physical fitness. Rev Fitness offers a supportive environment for individuals facing personal challenges, including veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and those struggling with substance abuse. With 24/7 access to the gym and common areas, the facility is designed to help people find support and connection on their own schedules.
The couple’s professional nursing backgrounds also shaped their approach to wellness. While Dillan focuses on strength training and fitness, Mackenziane oversees the facility’s recovery and rejuvenation services. Their medical spa offers treatments ranging from red light therapy and skin rejuvenation to laser hair and tattoo removal.
Recognizing that many of these services can be prohibitively expensive, the husband-and-wife team is working to make alternative therapies and wellness treatments more affordable and accessible. Their goal is to combine their knowledge of physiology and biology with a holistic approach to address a range of health and wellness needs.
For Dillan, the mission is straightforward: Rev Fitness should be a resource for the community.
Turning a Vision into Reality
Bringing that vision to life presented challenges. When a former boutique property became available at 140 W. Orange Street, the couple recognized its potential. Although they had no prior renovation experience, they took on the challenge of transforming the building into a facility that could accommodate their diverse services.
Financing, however, became a significant obstacle. After working with ACNB Bank’s Duane Bock to secure initial funding, they faced additional expenses that threatened to stall the project.
Bock connected them with the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC), which provided $140,000 in funding through a USDA Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program loan and a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
This gap funding helped cover closing costs and startup expenses, allowing the project to move forward after it had reached a standstill.
Dillan credits CAEDC’s involvement with helping make the business possible, illustrating how partnerships between local financial institutions and economic development organizations can help entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and bring new services to their communities.
“Starting a business in a highly commercialized industry, where everyone tells you there is no way to change the image, makes it extremely hard to get the business side working in the right direction without significant help,” notes Dillan. “CAEDC stepped in when my options were limited and helped from the start, including securing the final needed pieces of financing and the extra funds for renovations and restoration. Every CAEDC staff member was kind and resourceful, providing the most helpful assistance and advice. They were knowledgeable in every aspect of business management and in the financial opportunities available. Not only did they make the closing possible, but they also made our business plan and potential greater than I ever thought possible. CAEDC resources go far beyond just funding. Their team provided advice and understanding, and our business would not be possible without that support.”
A Resource for Shippensburg
Since opening, Rev Fitness has continued to evolve despite the challenges of launching a new business. Shortly after the medical spa opened in May, an air-conditioning leak forced Dillan and Mackenziane to postpone operations for several months, but they remained committed to their vision.
The community’s response has reinforced that commitment. Dillan recalled a visit from Shippensburg’s mayor in December, who had heard about Rev Fitness by word of mouth and wanted to see the facility firsthand.
The business has also sought opportunities to support the community beyond its walls, including working directly with Wheels for Women and remaining open to helping local organizations and residents whenever possible.
Currently employing two part-time staff members, Rev Fitness plans to add two full-time positions as the business grows. Dillan, who currently works a full-time job, hopes to eventually devote his full attention to the facility, with additional expansions planned for the future.
For now, Dillan and Mackenziane remain focused on building a business that reflects their values: professional expertise, accessible and affordable services, and a genuine desire to help others.
With support from CAEDC and local partners, they’ve transformed a long-held vision into more than a gym. Rev Fitness is becoming a place where people can pursue their goals, find encouragement, and feel they belong.
For Dillan, that’s what building a stronger community is all about.
For more information about Rev Fitness Gym: https://revfitnessgym.com/
