If you’ve ventured down Roseberry Street recently, the Manly Vale to Balgowlah golden mile, you’ve no doubt spotted the big yellow VAMOS letters on the windows under Aldi. This is the creation of Curl Curl’s Scott Hood, whose Spanish fluency, northern English upbringing, and career dedicated to sports science and the power of exercise has led to VAMOS being at the forefront of modern strength training.
Scott was raised by his single Mum in the north of England in the 1980s, which would prove to be the building ground of his lifelong passion for health and fitness. “Much of my childhood was spent in a small, community, women-only gym because it was my mum who managed the gym,” explains Scott. “Growing up in that environment, it opened my eyes to the power of exercise and community to boost mental and physical health.”
Armed with a clear focus from a young age, to help people get stronger, for life, Scott went on to gain a sport science degree before embarking on a successful 23-year career with the global health club chain Virgin Active. “I progressed from a club receptionist to a global executive,” says Scott. “It’s thanks to my career with Virgin that brought my family and I to Australia, and lucky enough to call Curl Curl home since 2012.”
Clearly, words starting with “V” are pivotal to success, but how did Scott land on VAMOS as the ideal name for the business. “Vamos means ‘let’s go!’, which is spot on for what the gym is all about, because it is such a positive, collective and action orientated word.”
Stepping inside Vamos, especially if you’re accustomed to most other gyms with a warehouse-chique, wide-open floorplan, you immediately notice the unique cubed formatting of Scott’s fitness centre. “This is a brand new and truly unique personalised training concept,” explains Scott. “We’ve created private workout cubes to train in, with all the equipment and space you need, while also having individualised workout plans, iPad screens to showcase the workout for your session to follow, and highly experienced coaches onsite and available at all times to assist and encourage people completing their workouts.”
The cutting-edge technology Scott has deployed to provide individualised workout plans are proving extremely effective. “Our first group of athletes have just completed their first 12 weeks of training and have increased their strength by 44% on average,” beams Scott. These results are incredible. “People, many with no prior strength training experience, that worked out just once per week increased their strength by a remarkable 37%. Those on two per week increased their strength by 48% and those on three per week by 57%.”
Vamos is off to a flying start, with these fantastic early results testimony to Scott’s aim from the outset of his career, to assist people to become stronger, for life. “Strength training is the cornerstone of enhancing day to day functional capacity. As well as the obvious muscular strength gains, it also greatly improves balance, stability, and coordination.
“It is also a valuable tool in the fight to enhance mental wellbeing, reduce anxiety and boost self-esteem. However, gyms can be really intimidating places which is why we have made Vamos such an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome and the exercise less of a chore.”
Visit vamosstrength.com now to learn more and get Summer ready with a 6 or 12 week Spring training programme.