More gyms in Maine are catering to an older clientele
Andy Mancall, a retired physician who lives in Cape Elizabeth, lifts a kettlebell while working out at Spurling Fitness in South Portland on Thursday. (Daryn Slover/Staff Photographer)
Suzie Albiser has always worked out, so she was happy when Spurling Fitness opened a studio near her home in South Portland in January. The retired bookkeeper is slim and fit at 79, and she’d like to stay that way.
She appreciates Spurling’s personal coaching and a workout regimen that’s tailored to her needs and abilities. She also enjoys the camaraderie of the coaches and other members. But she also likes what’s missing from a fitness studio that’s geared toward people age 50 and up.
“You don’t feel like you’re competing with some little lovely who can move like a swan,” Albiser said.
Suzie Albiser, 79, of South Portland, gets a high five from head coach Joe Davenport at the end of her workout at Spurling Fitness in South Portland on Thursday. (Daryn Slover/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
Spurling is a Kennebunk-based fitness chain that in the last year has opened studios in Scarborough, South Portland and York, with a fifth site planned in Portland.
They are among a growing number of facilities in Maine that are following a national trend in targeting a 50-plus clientele. Others include The Exercise Coach, Back Cove Personal Fitness, Health Coaches at Stevens Square and Beacon Community Fitness, all in Portland; Basics Fitness in South Portland; GEvolution Fitness in Augusta; and Fit Studio in Camden.
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Fitness programs tailored to older adults was ranked as the No. 2 trend shaping the industry at the start of 2026, according to a survey by the American College of Sports Medicine. No. 1 was wearable health-tracking technology.
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The 55-plus contingent now holds 23% of gym memberships — a segment that has more than doubled over the past 20 years and is the fastest-growing demographic in fitness, the Health & Fitness Association found.
In Maine, baby boomers, all of whom will be 65 or older by 2030, account for about 27.8% of residents — or 390,000 people — making it the largest generational cohort in the state, according to the Office of the State Economist.
Sue Ellen Kelso, 74, of Portland, left, and Nancy Glover, 77, of South Portland, lift weights under the direction of coach James Nguyen at Spurling Fitness in South Portland on Thursday. (Daryn Slover/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
Experts say boomers drive to be fit reflects a growing awareness of the physiological changes associated with aging and a desire to maintain or improve their strength, balance, mobility and overall health through age-appropriate, evidence-based exercises.
“My own philosophy is that movement is medicine,” said Joe Davenport, the head coach at Spurling’s South Portland studio.
“I’m here to get in better shape and feel better overall without the distractions that come with other gyms,” said Andy Mancall, a retired physician who lives in Cape Elizabeth.
RECOGNIZING THE TREND
The first Spurling Fitness opened in Kennebunk in 2012, offering a variety of amenities typical of a large gym. Founders Doug Spurling and Josh Williams met as students at the University of New England, where they studied business and exercise science, respectively.
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They soon noticed their clients skewed older than they expected and many members were dealing with injuries or rehabilitation following surgery, said Nick Bryan, director of operations.
Steve Hill, 76, of South Portland, uses a resistance tube at Spurling Fitness in South Portland on Thursday. Hill has worked out twice a week since the gym opened in January. (Daryn Slover/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
“In that situation, you can’t do a one-size-fits-all program,” Bryan said, so they adjusted Spurling’s offerings to meet the needs of members age 50 and up.
Spurling’s studios are smaller than the original gym — each measures about 1,800 to 2,000 square feet. The South Portland studio is a former take-out pizza restaurant.
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Spurling caps clients at 120 per studio and limits small-group coaching to six clients. Equipment includes free weights, kettlebells, medicine balls, exercise bikes and digital tablets that show each client’s workout routine. Pricing depends on frequency and amenities; a standard package is two $45 sessions per week.
The Exercise Coach opened in Portland in 2022 and remains the national chain’s only studio in Maine, said Gabriel Smith, general manager.
Gabriel Smith coaches Jennifer Cook, 56, of North Yarmouth, as she works out at The Exercise Coach in Portland on Wednesday. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
Like Spurling’s studios, the facility is small, includes a small changing area but no showers and caps its clientele at 120 to ensure personalized coaching.
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Instead of free weights, it features Exercise Coach-branded workout machines with screens that show each client’s progress over time. Sessions are typically 20 minutes and range from $25 to $40 each, depending on services provided, Smith said.
STAYING FIT AND SHARP
Matt Kearns, 54, of Falmouth, works out at The Exercise Coach twice a week to stay physically fit and mentally sharp, and address other health issues, including a recent serious knee injury.
“It’s a very efficient workout — every muscle is engaged,” said Kearns, a renewable energy developer. “I like that it’s quick and because it’s scheduled, I have to do it.”
Matt Kearns, 54, of Falmouth, works out at The Exercise Coach in Portland on Wednesday. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
Wendi O’Donovan, 63, of Falmouth, has been working out a The Exercise Coach three times a week for three years. A retired teacher, she ramped up training before her right hip was replaced last October.
“So I got really strong before my surgery,” O’Donovan said, which helped with her rehabilitation and recovery.
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Gabriel Smith coaches Wendi O’Donovan, 63, of Falmouth, as she works out at The Exercise Coach in Portland on Wednesday. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
O’Donovan likes working with the coaches, she said, because they individualize the program for her, they know how to motivate her and they know how to distract her when she’s struggling.
She also sees the holistic benefits for her wellbeing as she ages.
“I want to be healthy,” O’Donovan said. “I don’t want to fall, and I want my brain to keep working.”
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Tagged: aging, fitness, kennebunk maine, maine businesses, portland maine, scarborough maine, south portland maine, york maine
Kelley writes about Maine businesses large and small, focusing on economic development, workforce initiatives and the state’s leading business organizations. Her wider experience includes municipal and. More by Kelley Bouchard
