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Former Scarborough Student Opens Fitness Studio
As seen in the Scarborough Leader Business Briefs section on
September 15, 2006
When two University of Southern Maine graduates set out for New York to conquer the theater world seven years ago, they never anticipated their journeys would bring them back to Portland with fitness knowledge and a passion to help people become stronger.
Leslie Hamm, a Gorham native, and Luca Richards, from Scarborough, recently partnered to create Pure Movement Portland, a fitness facility focused on helping people develop core strength.
The partnership brings, for the first time in Portland, a number of methods and disciplines under one roof, including Mat and apparatus Pilates, Pregnancy Pilates, yoga, CARDIOLATES® (cardio rebounding and core strengthening) and Barre (a combination of Pilates, yoga and sports conditioning). Group classes are offered on a drop-in basis and scheduled private sessions and personal training are available. "We really feel it's important to offer a variety to our clients," Mrs. Hamm said. "And what's great is, at the same time, they'll havethe ability to try different approaches in a familiar environment."
The pair has a total of 11 years of teaching between them. Hamm learned the Lotte Berk Method, a staple of New York fitness, from creator Lydia Bach. She then went on to earn her Stott Pilates certification. She pulled from both disciplines to create her own Barre Method. She is also a certified pre-and post partum Pilates instructor, National Academy of Sports Medicine certified Personal trainer and certified CARDIOLATES®? instructor. Richards is a Vinyasa yoga student of yogi Baron Baptiste and a certified Classical Pilates instructor who brought his training from Los Angeles to Boston and now home. Both also have extensive experience working with clients recovering from injuries.
In addition to providing clients a broad cross-section of core fitness classes, Hamm and Richards hope to provide an atmosphere where they can nuture clients goals in a comfortable environment.
"We want to be a very welcoming, supportive place for people to come to work out," Mr. Richards said. "Whether people are very experienced or absolute beginners, we want them to be comfortable in their learning in a safe nurturing environment."
While a career in fitness was neither of their intended careers upon leaving college, both Hamm and Richards fell into their respective careers and felt they found their calling, they said.
