About Barbells & Birdies in Galesburg, IL
We Built our
Personal Training
Around You
Barbells & Birdies is our dream, built with you in mind. Our coaches are highly skilled professionals with top-tier communication skills and elite programming. Each coach brings a unique energy and skillset, but they all create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for beginners and experienced athletes alike.
Founder’s Story
We’re Jenna + Kary. We love lifting weights, golfing, learning new things, and building things that bring people together. Fitness is a huge part of our lives, and we believe fitness makes everyone’s lives better. That’s exactly what we want to share with Barbells & Birdies.
A place where people feel supported, not judged. A place where showing up is easier and a lot more fun. A place where health, strength, and even your golf game can improve side by side. Between the two of us, we’ve spent years coaching and running a gym, and we’ve learned a lot about what really helps people stick with fitness: accountability, relationships, and having a team that cares.
That’s what we’re building here in Galesburg – a space that feels like yours the moment you walk in.
Our Coaches
Jenna Dorethy
Certifications
Jenna is a certified personal trainer and seasoned gym owner, passionate about helping people build stronger, healthier lives through smart, sustainable training.
She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and holds advanced certifications in pre- and postnatal coaching, menopause and metabolic health, and self-defense.
With years of hands-on coaching experience, Jenna blends evidence-based programming with a supportive, relationship-driven approach that empowers clients to grow inside and outside the gym.
She believes fitness should feel approachable, individualized, and fun, and she’s committed to creating an environment where every person feels capable and confident in their journey.
Certifications
Kary is an Air Force Veteran with a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and is TPI certified. He’s coached everyone from Air Force servicemembers to youth athletes and everyday adults.
He’s worked in group training, athletic performance, and one-on-one coaching, always focused on building programs that get real results while keeping people motivated and supported.
Kary brings both expertise and enthusiasm to every session, creating an environment where people can thrive.
Whether you’re looking to improve your golf game, lose weight, hit the bodybuilding stage, or pass a PT test, Kary’s experience, education, and care will get you there.
Kary Dorethy
Clean and Well-Maintained
Equipment is the Standard
At Barbells & Birdies, we’ve carefully selected the quality equipment you need to support your goals, without any additional fluff that leads to overwhelm. We’ll customize your program for your goals and starting fitness level, and your program may utilize barbells, dumbbells, cables, bands, and cardio equipment.
Strength focused – Our training area is equipped with the barbells, dumbbells, and accessories you need to support your health and fitness goals.
Cardio used sparingly – While our programs are strength-based, we don’t neglect cardio for health. We include a variety of cardio modalities to keep your heart strong, too.
Golf Simulators – We offer rentals of our two premium golf simulator bays so you can practice all year-round.
A Facility Designed for
Performance & Community.
At Barbells & Birdies, we maximize your coaching experience by keeping our training space and sessions small. Train 1-on-1 or in semi-private groups of up to 4 people. Either way, nobody gets left behind here.
That’s Us.
Let’s Learn About You!
We’ve had a blast telling you a bit about ourselves. But this isn’t about us, it’s about you. Your journey, your goals, your results. So let’s get to know each other, set some life-changing but attainable goals, and welcome you to our supportive community.
Book a No Sweat Intro