Finding your maximum strength

Celebrating its grand opening this month, MaxStrength Fitness studio in Solon takes a novel, science-backed approach to strength training that produces results in two, 20-minute, trainer-led workouts per week.

Owners Tim and Megan Dardis say they felt connected to founder Jeff Tomaszewski’s mission and values to lift others up and transform lives through training.

“Megan and I have done different workout styles and found some to be rigorous to the point of dangerous,” says Tim. “The protocol here is safe and beneficial. These low-impact, high-intensity workouts make a big difference.”

Every move on the specialized equipment is targeted to produce a result, and the reasoning behind only two days a week is to allow your muscles time to rebuild properly in the downtime.

Another game-changer in the time-management department is the studio temps are kept in the pleasantly chilly zone, so clients enjoy sweat-free workouts. They can pop in on their lunch hour or mornings and then go directly to work or wherever without needing to shower.

“We are the perfect fit for busy people who want to age healthy and avoid the cascade of negative health effects that happens when they lose muscle over the years,” says Tim.

Meet David Ricketts

At 64 years young, with a busy job as a senior executive with IBM, and bustling schedule with his wife going to their high school teenagers’ games and events, when David Ricketts underwent treatment for tongue cancer in 2023, it took a toll.

“I lost 45 pounds over the course of radiation treatment,” he says. “I had to stop working out at MaxStrength Fitness for 120 days, which was especially tough. I’d been training consistently here for 10 years and was at the strongest I’d ever been when I was diagnosed. The treatment left me unable to eat. I was put on a feeding tube for sustenance.”

Now cancer-free and stronger than ever, David attributes gaining the weight back while gaining strength—yet still staying under his “fighting weight” of 200 pounds— all over a handful of months wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of his trainers.

“They are incredibly motivational,” he says. “Everything is developed and customized to my needs and goals. They know how to maximize my capabilities through the program. After what I went through, thanks to them my physical, mental and emotional confidence have been restored.”

He says the workouts are difficult and challenging, yet refreshing, and that he looks forward to going to them.

“It’s sort of mind-blowing that I continue to gain strength at this stage of my life,” he says, noting at his last session he reached a new personal best of bench-pressing 400 pounds. “I’ve had knee and shoulder issues due to playing baseball for years and they’ve worked around them and have been able to strengthen them for better mobility.”

David is such a believer and advocate for MaxStrength Fitness, he’s planning to invest in opening a studio in Southwest Florida, where he has a home.

MaxStrength Fitness is located at the corner of a white brick shopping plaza at 33705 Station Street, just off Route 91, in Solon. Call 440-692-2345 or visit MaxStrengthFitness.com for more information.