Inclusivity in the Hudson Valley’s Strength Training Community

A barbell slams to the floor, chalk dust lingers in the air, and voices ring out in encouragement. Across the Hudson Valley, strength training is finding its place beyond bodybuilders and competitive powerlifters, drawing in people of all ages and abilities looking to move more freely, feel stronger, and stay healthy. 

“There has been a noticeable increase in interest in strength training in the Hudson Valley,” says Mike Romano of Maximum Results Fitness in Kingston. “More people are recognizing the critical role it plays in achieving a healthy lifestyle, improving overall fitness, and reaching their personal goals.”

It isn’t just about building muscle—strength training increases metabolism, supports bone and joint health, prevents injuries, and improves coordination, posture, balance, and mental health. It’s about confidence, longevity, and the camaraderie of training alongside others with similar goals. In small, supportive gyms, coaches tailor programs to fit individual needs, whether that means lifting heavier, staying mobile, or just carrying groceries without pain. Strength, here, is personal—and for everyone.

Hudson Valley Strength Training

“We are regular people working out, being sweaty and happy and lifting weights,” says Joanne Maione of the soon-to-open CrossFit Exit 19 in midtown Kingston’s Barrel Factory. “We are moms and dads, postal workers, teachers, counselors, nurses, and chefs. We come in all shapes and sizes and we value our bodies for what they can do.” Strength has many faces here, and the options to develop it are just as varied.

For those seeking a more personalized and community-driven experience, independent gyms across the Valley offer specialized strength training environments that prioritize individualized coaching and support. Maximum Results Fitness and Intelligent Action Training in Red Hook provide spaces for serious lifters, whether in powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, or functional strength development. CrossFit Exit 19 blends strength, conditioning, and agility, while virtual personal coaches like Sydney Nitzkorski and Carlene “Carley” Remsburger focus on custom programming tailored to individual needs. Meanwhile, Beacon’s Zoe Alexandra Pilates offers a lower-impact strength training alternative, emphasizing core control, flexibility, and muscular endurance. Lava Hot Yoga and Fitness, located in Hudson and a newly opened space in Catskill, combines heated yoga and strength-based movement classes that challenge balance, endurance, and body awareness. Wherever you are in the Hudson Valley, strength training doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit—it’s a growing movement shaped by communities, coaches, and a shared commitment to building strength.

Individualized Programming

Strength training isn’t one-size-fits-all. Small gyms across the Hudson Valley are proving that personalized attention and individualized coaching are key to long-term success. “It’s a powerful communal experience, giving everything you have next to someone else,” Maione says. “We root for each other, push each other, and genuinely care. We celebrate accomplishments and support each other through life’s challenges.” These spaces and people are reshaping fitness culture in the Hudson Valley, fostering a supportive and empowering environment where strength is built—physically and emotionally.

“No two people are the same, nor should their programming be,” says John Morgan, a bodybuilder and owner of Intelligent Action Training. “There are so many one-size-fits-all programs out there, but none of them take into account age, gender, medical history, range of motion issues, athletic ability, and exercise history. Sustainable program development starts with a conversation, followed by an assessment, and finally, a customized plan designed for the individual sitting in front of me.”

Morgan, who opened his gym in 2017, has seen a rise in independent gyms across the Hudson Valley. “A small fitness business will give you better instruction, care, and attention than a large box gym. The owners are usually providing the service out of passion for the profession. If you are new to fitness and want a welcoming experience, shop small.”

The Importance of Professional Coaching

A structured, expert-guided approach can mean the difference between progress and plateau. A skilled trainer doesn’t just hand over a workout plan—they provide accountability, education, and real-time adjustments tailored to the individual. “Working with a coach is invaluable for those new to strength training because it accelerates progress while ensuring safety and consistency,” Romano says.“A coach can teach you proper form, correct breathing patterns, how to brace your body against a load, and how to safely handle heavier weights,” adds Sarah Dukler, a powerlifting coach in Kingston and 261 Fearless Club director for Greater New York. “They will meet you where you are, help you build confidence, and show you that you’re more capable than you think.”

Choosing the Right Training Style

Different training styles cater to different needs, and “the type of training you focus on should be linked to your goals,” says Nitzkorski, a registered dietitian and online personal trainer. “It’s crucial to take an individualized approach.”

Functional strength training, like CrossFit, enhances practical strength and endurance by focusing on compound movements that engage many muscle groups at once. Powerlifting, with its focus on heavy compound lifts, is ideal for those who want to build raw strength and muscle density. Olympic weightlifting emphasizes explosive power and technical skill, while bodybuilding targets aesthetics and muscle definition. Each style varies considerably in its focus, end goals, and training approach.

“Determining the best training approach starts with a thorough assessment,” Romano says. “This includes evaluating their current fitness level, age, training history, injury history, lifestyle factors, such as their work schedule, stress levels, sleep and daily activities, and their specific goals. A well-structured program isn’t one-size-fits-all.”

Training for Health and Longevity

Strength training isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality and overall well-being. The ability to move through life with strength and ease can be life-changing. Rachel Handler, an actor and writer in Dutchess County, discovered this firsthand. After an infection in her leg led to surgery, she turned to strength training as part of her recovery. “For so long, I thought of working out as a punishment for eating, and something you only do to get skinny, but strength training shifted my perspective entirely,” Handler says. “Working out now is a way to get strong and stay healthy. Strength training is something I look forward to—it gives me confidence in myself and my body.”

For others, strength training offers relief from chronic pain and a renewed sense of independence. Pilates instructor Zoe Thomas, who began practicing to manage her scoliosis, believes in the power of detailed, core-focused training that integrates resistance training, proprioceptive exercises to enhance body awareness and improve coordination, yoga, and fascial release work. “Pilates is accessible for all conditions and fitness levels,” she says. “Even with major injuries, there is work that can be done to keep you active. My goal is that our Hudson Valley community starts to understand the importance of preventative care—take care of your body before it breaks down. Everything is connected.”

A Tool for Trauma Recovery and Confidence

For those navigating trauma, strength training—especially powerlifting—can be a reclamation of power. “Folks who deal with trauma often feel disconnected from their bodies, says Remsburger, a trauma-informed powerlifting coach. “Through modalities like powerlifting, we find ways to reconnect and listen to our bodies.” The slow, deliberate act of lifting—feeling strength build rep by rep—can become a grounding tool, a way to regain control.

Remsburger believes traditional fitness spaces often reinforce disconnection. “The way our culture presents movement, fitness, and gym spaces to us is generally centered around Western, white, heteronormative, and cis-gendered ideas,” she says. “It’s my job to question those ideas and create a space for anyone who doesn’t fit into those categories.” In her coaching, there are no weigh-ins, no body measurements, no pushing until failure. “Some of the best powerlifters in the world don’t look ‘conventionally’ strong,” she says. “Your shape or size does not inhibit you from achieving your goals.”

But perhaps the greatest impact of strength training is on confidence. “Powerlifting gives people the opportunity to prove they can do more than they believe,” Remsburger says. “Accomplishing small feats—a personal record, one more push-up—translates into daily life. If we can deadlift something we never thought we could, who’s to say we can’t try something else we never thought possible?”

Strength for Life

Ultimately, strength training goes beyond building muscle. “Strength training has never been about physical benefit alone,” Morgan says. “It translates into being a better partner, parent, provider, and role model. Give yourself a fighting chance to live a full, capable, and able-bodied life. It is never too late to start. Being strong means a better life.”

Strength training offers something for everyone—it’s about movement, longevity, and resilience. “Training enhances your quality of life, confidence, and mental health,” Morgan adds. “The ability to move through life with ease, limited pain, and mobility at any age is priceless.”

“Everyone starts somewhere,” Romano says. “The gym is a place for progress, not perfection. Confidence comes with consistency, so start small, stay patient, and celebrate every bit of progress along the way.”

This article appears in March 2025.