Former Chesapeake Football Star Marvin Brown Opens D1 Training Facility with Community Focus

D1 Training, a fitness enrichment concept utilizing athletic-based training principles, has opened a new location in East Chesapeake at 1011 Eden Way North. The facility, which opened on July 14, employs certified trainers and a sports-science backed training regimen designed to help people of all ages achieve their sport and fitness goals. The new location is operated by former Chesapeake football star Marvin Brown, who joins a roster of impressive existing D1 franchisees including professional athletes like Kylie Fitts and Jordan Gay, with additional D1 partners including NBA star Chris Paul and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.

Marvin Brown brings significant athletic credentials to the venture, having played tight end at James Madison University from 2003 to 2008, where he was part of the 2004 national championship team and will be inducted into JMU's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024. Athletics run deep in the Brown family, with his father being a former professional baseball player with World Series appearances for the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres, and his sister Bonita being an Atlantic City High School Hall of Famer in basketball, softball, and tennis. Brown has been coaching alongside his brother Donnell Brown, head football coach at Hickory High School.

After a 15-year career in healthcare leadership, Brown transitioned to pursue his passions for athletics and family, leading him to D1 Training. He and his wife Ardaith have three children who are eager to help build a strong community around D1 Training East Chesapeake. Brown is partnering with his brother Donnell and longtime friend and Hickory High teammate Leland Cleland, who will open a second location in West Chesapeake in late 2025 or early 2026. Together, they'll operate under one brand: 'D1 Chesapeake'.

"D1 stands out because it's more than just a gym, it's a training ground that builds character, discipline, and confidence," said Brown. "D1 Training is known as 'The Place of Athlete' but we want D1 Chesapeake to be known as the Home of the Athlete where they can grow physically, mentally, and spiritually." The facility offers four age-based programs including Rookie (ages 7-11), Developmental (ages 12-14), Prep (ages 15-18) and D1 Adult. Each fitness program is based on five athletic-based tenets: dynamic warm-up, performance, strength program, core and conditioning, and cool down.

Beyond group workouts, D1 Training provides group, semi-private, and one-on-one training with world-class coaches. The goal is to train athletes dedicated to their sport or fitness goals, regardless of age or athletic background. Dan Murphy, the brand's Chief Operating Officer, stated, "The Browns and Clelland are the ideal candidates to bring the D1 Training experience to Chesapeake. We're thrilled to welcome them to the D1 family and are confident in their ability to show the East Chesapeake area what they've been missing out on. D1 is a one-of-a-kind fitness experience that's built around the individual and meant to help people meet their athletic goals."

D1 Training is strategically expanding across the nation through franchising, with more than 150 facilities open and over 100 additional locations in various stages of development. The brand seeks financially qualified business builders, former athletes, and entrepreneurs who share a passion for fitness and youth sports and are ready to make positive impacts on their communities. For more information on D1 Training East Chesapeake, please visit https://www.d1training.com/east-chesapeake/.