Superb Health

Testimonial: Times Argus News Paper

Nick Lynch balances on an exercise ball while doing squats with a barbell at First In Fitness in Montpelier recently. Lynch has launched an online fitness/nutrition Web site called imsuperb.com.

JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR/TIMES ARGUS

For a healthier life, go online
Local fitness trainer offers exercise, advice on Internet

By SUSAN ALLEN TIMES ARGUS STAFF - Published: August 27, 2009

MONTPELIER – Nick Lynch is a personal trainer who wants to help you get fit as a fiddle, inside and out, by bringing his workouts and nutritional advice into your living room, office and even health club.

Lynch's Middlebury-based (which until last week was Montpelier-based) Web business Superb Health allows anyone anywhere – with a computer – to log on to www.imsuperb.com for daily workouts based on ability, nutritional advice from his nutritionist brother Dan, regularly scheduled live chat lines to answer users' questions on health and fitness issues, and the latest news from the wellness front.

"It's never been done on the Internet before," he said of the full scope of his health and fitness business.

The venture is a true family affair for this 24-year-old Spaulding High School grad. In addition to brother Dan's nutritional input and Nick's personal training advice, father Jim Lynch and brother Shane are chiropractors in Montpelier who offer chiropractic advice to clients.

Nick Lynch was working in Milwaukee, Wis., when he became convinced that too many in the fitness industry were, in order to make a personal profit, giving poor advice to clients, for example pushing so-called energy drinks on the side that don't really offer a benefit.

He was also concerned that some people who could use fitness and nutritional advice can't afford the costs of joining a gym or club, much less visit a nutritionist.

So he created Superb Health, where a maximum $15 monthly fee provides computer access to videos illustrating workouts that become progressively more challenging as someone's fitness level advances. In addition, the site offers nutritional advice, and the chat lines give clients direct access to experts to answer their questions.

One recent chat line on nutrition brought questions on everything from how to prepare for a marathon to the pros and cons of consuming soy bars to how much water to consume to how caffeine affects bone density (the questioner was concerned because he or she consumes eight cups of coffee a day – the answer: caffeine depletes bone density; your body has to work in overdrive to get rid of the caffeine, it is a stimulant which is also a drug).

The drawbacks in creating the business were frustration with cinematography, which Lynch knew nothing about, and cost (he used his savings and took out a small loan to finance the venture) of creating the business and maintaining the site.

The benefits of this online format for clients, he said, include affordability, convenience of workout times and flexible locations – there are even outdoor workouts included — and variety that makes it easier to stick to the program.

"You are capable of so much," Lynch said. "People are always striving for some sort of perfection. This information gives you the tools to work your way to a better life."

Lynch and a former partner, Mike Veselka, who was his boss in Milwaukee, perform the workouts in the videos, and did voice-overs to provide instruction on proper technique. Lynch said the videos work in any location with computer access, even in relatively small spaces. He said fitness centers with wireless internet access allow clients to follow a workout video using the club's weights or a stability ball.

The business launched on May 25 and currently has 44 members, but Lynch would love to see the business go viral online, extending into other states and even countries. He envisions a time when Superb Health has to offer a variety of live chat times and languages to accommodate foreign clients from across the globe.

But for now, Lynch is just trying to get the word out in Vermont about his business. He moved from Montpelier to Middlebury last weekend and will affiliate with a fitness club there.

In addition, Superb Health is co-sponsoring a 5K race on Sept. 26 to benefit Special Olympics in Vermont, along with Lynch Family Chiropractic and Black Diamond sportswear (for more information on the race and how to get involved, visit www.vtso.org). Food will be provided by Turkey Hill Farm in Randolph, Red Hen Bakery in Middlesex, and Champlain Valley Apiaries in Middlebury. More local businesses are offering items to raffle.

Bottom line for Lynch, in addition to having a successful business and career, is to give people the tools they need to live healthier lives.

"It will give you the energy and ability to handle what's around you, to handle stress, take fewer sick days at work," he said.

For a sample of what Superb Health offers or to sign up for the free seven-day trial, visit www.imsuperb.com.