If you’ve been stuck in traffic on Roseberry Street in the last year – you might’ve noticed some bold yellow letters shouting “VAMOS” beneath Aldi. Behind those cheerful windows lies a quiet revolution in how people over 40 are discovering strength, energy, and confidence like never before.
VAMOS Strength Training just celebrated its first birthday, and the results are turning heads. In just 12 months, this Northern Beaches-born concept has helped hundreds of locals – affectionately called “VAMOSers” – get Stronger. People who have trained twice a week consistently over the 12 months have all achieved at least 60% strength gains. Not to mention, on average, they’ve also gained about 1kg of muscle, lost 2.5kg of body fat, and share countless stories of real-life transformation.
But let’s back up a step. Why strength training? And why now? “It’s simple science,” explains founder and Curl Curl resident, Scott Hood.
“From around age 40, we naturally start to lose muscle mass – a condition called sarcopenia. You can lose up to 5% per decade and this leads to increased weakness unless you regularly and effectively strength train. It’s much more important than aesthetics, it’s about your independence, your vitality, and doing all the things you love for your whole life.”
Scott would know. With over two decades in the fitness industry, including a long global career at Virgin Active, he launched VAMOS with one clear mission: to help people get stronger for life.
“Strength training isn’t just for young people, athletes or bodybuilders anymore and I just don’t think the traditional gym industry is helping much” Scott says. “It’s now one of the most important things we can do to age well, stay mobile, and live fully, especially for people in their 60’s and 70’s and also for women managing menopause.”
Walk into VAMOS, you immediately feel the difference. Gone is the sea of equipment and strutting peacocks. Instead, you’ll find a series of private workout cubes: each kitted out with premium equipment, a touchscreen workout guide, and most importantly, a wonderful human coach always nearby to offer support, encouragement, and proper technique guidance. It’s all about personalising strength training and making it feel safe, supportive, and totally do-able.
“Strength training can be intimidating, especially for beginners or people returning to exercise,” says Scott. “That’s why we created VAMOS – to take the fear out of it, and make it feel achievable for everyone.”
Clearly, it’s working. The VAMOS Google reviews read like love letters, members calling it “life-changing”, “welcoming”, “inspiring” and “the first time I’ve actually stuck with a gym”. And it’s not just about strength. VAMOSers report better energy, improved sleep, less joint pain, and more confidence doing everyday things – like surfing, playing with kids, or carrying heavy groceries with ease.
As VAMOS marks its first year, the focus remains steady: build a strong, inclusive community that helps people not just work out, but truly level up their lives. And judging by those early results, they’re just getting warmed up.
Need to get stronger for life?
Then as the name says, VAMOS! Visit vamosstrength.com or pop into Balgowlah’s Roseberry Street VAMOS HQ (directly under Aldi)