Left to right: Jaryd Penn, Zachary Russell, Julian Despres, Cali Roy (Photo Credit: Hank Caiazzo)
The definition of the word “vigor” is what one will find when stepping through the doors—a place to build active physical and mental strength, energy, and vitality. Vigor Strength Studio is located at 645 Main Street in Gorham and just celebrated their first year in business at this location.
Co-owners Julian Despres and Zach Russell first met years ago. A partnership formed while Despres was Russell’s personal trainer at another gym— it’s where their shared passion for health, wellness, and helping to build a stronger community would initiate the journey leading to the opening of Vigor Strength Studio.
Julian Despres is a drill sergeant–type coach who is focused on movement quality and posture. His goal is to motivate and to help people reach their full potential. Jaryd Penn is social and purposeful. One of USM’s finest, he trains all skill levels and is also SPEED certified, meaning he can (and does) train athletes to be on top of their game. Cali Roy is an athletic trainer by trade and specializes in strength and conditioning training and injury prevention. If someone needs to be fixed up, cupped, or taped, she is the go-to. Zach Russell is a no-nonsense kind of human. He approaches exercise from many disciplines and believes that together they provide a comprehensive plan to fitness. He is an Army veteran, a mobility specialist, and especially enjoys training younger athletes.
This team of passionate, experienced and educated coaches is what sets Vigor Strength Studio apart from the rest. In place of mirrors, motivational banners hang from the walls, reminding clients: “Nobody Cares, Work Harder,” “Do the Work,” and “Mindset Is Everything.” Appropriate music plays in the background, adding to the energy.
Community is built in this space. Coaches are constantly engaged. Inspiration and motivation are both individual and collective. One goal—to be healthier. Despres says, “Not every exercise is for every body.” A person that walks through the doors at Vigor Strength Studio is met with a conversation about their individual health history and goals, and a plan is created with those things in mind. Every movement and exercise is carefully tracked on digital spreadsheets for each client. The objective is to properly move your body. Vigor gives clients instruction, tools and motivation. There is a culture here that is real, raw and authentic…and it’s palpable.
The Your Nervous System Reset class is new to the studio. Instructor Sharon Little focuses on stress management, bio-energetic testing and nervous system regulation. Classes are a great way to use noninvasive bodywork and grounding techniques to downshift and regulate the nervous system. Classes are held on Saturday mornings.
Vigor Strength Studio takes a whole-body approach to health. It’s a place where nothing is overlooked—a place for community, strength training, injury prevention and somatic recovery.
“Strength is understanding that your power is both physical and emotional. That it comes from the body and the mind. And the heart.” – Henry Rollins.