Fitness and Community Go Hand in Hand for Jason Barnes

Published 8:06 pm Tuesday, October 13, 2026

For Jason Barnes, fitness has always been about more than lifting weights or getting in shape. It’s about helping people, building relationships, and giving something back to the community he calls home.

Barnes is the owner and founder of CFC Fitness LLC in Marshfield, a business that has grown over the years but has never lost sight of its original purpose.

And for Barnes, that purpose is pretty simple. Help people live healthier lives.

A 1990 graduate of Marshfield High School, Barnes has called the community home since 1978. His family has been part of the area for four generations, and even though he was born in Kansas, he considers himself a lifelong Marshfield resident.

“I love this town. I love the community,” Barnes said.

His interest in fitness began long before he became a business owner. Barnes said he first felt a calling to help others through health and wellness back in 1993.

At the time, he wasn’t exactly sure where that journey would take him.

But he knew it was something he wanted to pursue.

Since then, fitness has remained a big part of his life.

“Fitness is a journey. It’s never a destination,” Barnes said.

The idea for CFC began taking shape in 2006, following years of Barnes being involved in fitness and community recreation.

Barnes had also been involved with the former Marshfield Activity Center and the Marshfield Community Center, serving as president of the latter. While proud of those efforts, he eventually decided to pursue his own vision focused specifically on fitness and wellness.

CFC Fitness was established in October 2008 and officially opened its doors to members in 2009, according to the business’s website.

The business originally used the name Community Fitness Center. That later changed to Community Fitness Club before eventually becoming CFC Fitness LLC.

Barnes laughed about one reason for changing the original name. Some people assumed a community fitness center meant everything was free.

“We’ve got to turn the lights on too, guys,” he joked.

The exact dates of the individual name changes weren’t specified, but Barnes said the business also moved away from its earlier nonprofit approach as it continued operating and growing.

Through all those changes, the C in CFC has continued to stand for community.

Barnes said that has always been the heart of the business.

“We still had that vision of helping people,” he said. “It’s about creating wellness in our community.”

Today, the fitness center occupies more than 12,000 square feet in the former Walmart building at the Young Shopping Center on West Washington Street.

And while running a fitness center is certainly a business, Barnes said making money has never been his personal motivation.

In fact, he said he has never taken a paycheck from CFC.

“I do this because I love it,” Barnes said. “I have a passion.”

He credits his years in corporate America and another family business, American Gym Floor, with helping make that possible.

Barnes is also quick to recognize his wife, Holly, who has been beside him throughout the journey.

Holly previously owned The Tumble Express, a gymnastics business she operated for over 27 years.

After retiring from that business and helping care for Barnes’ father, she became more involved in CFC and now helps manage the fitness center.

Together, the couple brings more than three decades of experience in fitness to the business.

Barnes also credits people like Paul Shepherd, who helped during the early years, for supporting his vision.

Looking back, Barnes is proud of how far CFC has come. But he doesn’t talk like someone who believes the work is finished.

Quite the opposite.

Even after nearly two decades of operating the business, he said he and Holly are just as excited about the future as they were when they started.

“I still feel like we’re just beginning,” Barnes said.

CFC Fitness is located at 900 West Washington Street in Marshfield. Those interested in learning more can find the business on Facebook and Instagram under CFC Fitness or call 417-741-0996.

For Barnes, the goal remains the same as it was years ago.

Help people get healthier, keep growing, and give something back to the town he loves.