CAMDEN — As the snow finally begins to melt, and the sun’s rays launch spring, two Camden Hills Regional High School graduates have returned to the area to start their own fitness consulting business that presents fitness to anyone interested in achieving good health.

Jack Hauprich, 21, and Chris Chacon, 22, met at the gym in college while working out. Hauprich always knew he'd be working in a fitness or a sports-oriented environment (he is currently working toward a degree in applied exercise science). 

Chacon received his degree in psychology, was involved in Tae Kwon Do and weight lifting, and discovered fitness training.

They started working with classmates in college, and enjoyed watching them progress. Working to help people achieve goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle naturally evolved for them.

The two came across some online fitness subscription sites. They knew that together they could do it better and make it more affordable. Some of the commercial websites offer cookie-cutter workouts, and hidden costs, without the benefit of providing nutritional support, and personal attention like Hauprich and Chacon do at cjstrength.com. They offer instructional videos, daily updated workouts, and email access to the trainers for any questions, fitness blog, downloadable PDFs to take to the gym, alternative cardio workout options, even cooking videos.

There are also opportunities to purchase custom nutrition plans (both trainers are certified nutritional advisers), customized workout programs tailored to needs, goals and schedules, and live workouts (via Skype or in person, in the area).

"We believe it's important to design a program around a person, not try to cram a person into a ‘one size fits all’ program,” said Chacon. “Individuality is key, and paying attention to people's abilities, concerns, fears, self-esteem we believe are really important factors to consider as we try to help someone who, for example, may not have ever been physically active. Everyone needs a helping hand in their lives once in a while. If we can help without breaking people's budgets, then that's all the better.”

He said that their philosophy is to present bring “extraordinary fitness to ordinary people.”

“Ultimately, when we get a bigger location, we're looking forward to offering classes, particularly to groups of emergency responders — firefighters, police, EMTs, search and rescue personnel,” said Chacon. “They face unique challenges in their jobs [Jack served several years on the Islesboro Fire Department], and we are currently pursuing certification in tactical strength and conditioning so we can better serve those clients. Other group classes such as self-defense for women and programs for kids, to fight childhood obesity levels are also in our future."

Eli Smith, a student at Camden Hills, a top Class B wrestler at 160 pounds said: "Working out with Chris and Jack is awesome. They're incredibly easy to be around and are very funny. However, they do take exercise seriously. Whether they're demonstrating proper clean form or spotting you on a bench press, you can fully trust and believe in them. For example, they helped me a lot in strengthening my shoulder after I injured it badly during wrestling season. They looked at what the doctor said I could do and helped plan a program to get my shoulder healthy." Smith finished fourth in the recent all-state tournament, and second in the state tournament. 

At the moment, the former Windjammers are working with a middle-aged man recovering from dealing with cancer this winter, a massage therapist, and some athletes from their alma mater. 

"There was one woman who we helped prepare for — and ace — the physical fitness entry test for the police academy," said Chacon. "We're also volunteering with some kids who haven't had much exposure to weight-lifting and structured fitness programs. We've had great luck building up our clientele, while we work at our ‘other’ jobs.”

As the duo work to further their business and move into a larger space that can fit all of their fitness training needs, they are open to suggestions of opening up in any right–sized building with a cement floor and heat. Currently, the two work out of a barn they are renting, but also come out to their clients location happily. They say that sometimes people prefer this, as that way they are able to show them how to work on/with their own equipment.

Both said they would love to stay in the Camden area, and hope that it's a possibility. They have even considered buying a piece of land they can put a building on. The two, who are practically brothers, know that building a young business can be challenging, but both are confident and have the mentality and skill sets to make it happen.

They can be reached at (207)-230-4246 or (207)-592-3004.

Reach Ben McKenna and the sports department at sports@penbaypilot.com.