Performance and Rehab Coaching And Programming
From Pain To Podiums
We are strength & conditioning coaches, exercise physiologists, and kinesiologists who help complex and everyday athletes break through plateaus in performance and chronic pain with individualized training and testing.
To do this we create a clear path for each individual by meeting them where they’re at and guiding them to where they want to go.
In-Person Strength Coaching
Custom Endurance Training Programs
Custom Strength Training Programs
$20 Strength Club
Success Stories
Ian DwyerJuly 17, 2023I worked with Nick in my recovery from a back injury. He identified movement pattern issues and gave me exercises to fix them, while gradually building the strength I lost back. It has completely changed my approach to strength training and I feel the knowledge Nick has given me will help me keep me in prime condition. I am now stronger and faster than before my injury. I also participated in a 6 week track session through VSP with Tessa Gray-Burnett which was excellent. It has corrected some issues in my running form and given me some great drills to help improve my running and sprinting.
Alison JacksonMay 27, 2023Carla and team at VSP are amazing. Attuned to the smallest movements that make a huge difference. So inspiring, patient and encouraging. Highly, highly recommend!!
Shane IsonMarch 22, 2023Highly recommend Nick and Carla. I trained with the small group class and one on one and their approach and coaching is amazing. They could always tell me exactly why we were doing a movement and what we were hoping to achieve that was specific to me and my needs.
Erin MarshNovember 30, 2022What a great and accessible way to promote health! I have had a great experience with $20 Strength Club. This app gives you all the direction for a workout, shows videos of each movement so you are doing it correctly, and even has options for substitutions for other similar exercises. I have used the workout app chat to reach Carla with any questions I had as well. I'd recommend this to anyone who just needs a plan for their workout, and has a basic foundation of how to strength train. The workouts were always a fun challenge and reminded me there is something to get better at each time. Thanks so much Carla!
Bob PritchardNovember 8, 2022Carla and Nick have been a big part of my success as an endurance athlete. Through the strength and general body awareness training that they continuedly evolve in response to my ever-changing needs, they have provided exceptional wisdom that has improve my technique, improved performance and avoided injury.
Maura GrahamNovember 8, 2022Vital Strength and Physiology are focussed and dedicated to their clients needs and goals! Thank you so much for being there for me!
Vera GreenSeptember 9, 2022Vital strength helped me recover from a catastrophic running injury and what turned out to be a life long muscle imbalance. They are on the list of very few professionals who have made a significant positive impact on my life in a very short period of time. I can't thank them enough!
Laurence DionAugust 17, 2022I will begin by stating that the training and overall experience I have had with Nick and Vital Strength and Physiology has been absolutely invaluable. Prior to starting with Nick my training was very one-dimensional. I was seeing minimal gains in strength, mobility and endurance. As a chiropractor, my workdays are often quite physically demanding. Add an acute traumatic back injury and it becomes obvious that my case was complex. I have a thorough understanding of the human body and yet I found myself in a frustrating place where I couldn’t seem to get through my week at the office without back pain. Nick took into consideration all of my concerns and gradually guided me in breaking down the dysfunctional patterns I had developed. He is truly an expert in his field. Nick’s demeanour motivates me to train smart, continually reinforces the lost confidence I had in my body’s ability to move and adapt, and he always goes the extra mile. He puts in immense effort to track progress and continually refine the plan to meet client’s needs. My strength, mobility and endurance are now continually improving, but most importantly, my fear of movement has evaporated and I am able to get through work weeks with less pain and have resumed many of the leisure activities I was afraid of doing for fear of “flaring things up”. Healing and progress take time. I have learned so much in this process. Vital Strength and Physiology will help you no matter where you’re at in life, work and training. Nick and Carla have all of my trust. I will repeatedly recommend them to my friends, family and patients. Thank you Nick and Carla, as well as Dr. Amy Mackinnon for referring me to Nick and providing me with the most amazing care along the way. I hope to see this team of people working together to help others for a long, long time! -Dr. Laurence Dion
Scott CooperMay 16, 2022It was great working with Carla to accelerate recovery from an ACL reconstruction to get back to running and racing. She quickly helped identify and isolate atrophied muscles and weaknesses in the kinetic chain that helped get me back to top running form in just a matter of months. I've been staying injury free while putting in big miles and fast paces since starting to work with Carla and couldn't be more thankful!
Bryan GouldMay 8, 2022I am a 64-year old "non-athlete" who enjoys running. I have been working with Carla on strength training for distance running since the beginning of the year. Initially, I saw her to treat planter fasciitis when physiotherapy was not working. Amazingly, my condition started to improve DURING the very first session. Carla has a unique set of exercises that she customizes for my individual needs. I am amazed at the progress she has helped me achieve with respect to strength, balance and recovery form the usual sort of running induced ailments. I am thrilled with her customized programs and helpful videos so that I can follow my program at home between sessions.
Looking For In-Person 1-On-1 Coaching?
The first step to working with us is to book a New Client Assessment.
Our in-person assessments focus on a combination of a thorough intake questionnaire, movement-based assessing like you’ve never experienced, and objective testing to give you an idea of where your strength, asymmetries, power, and health is at. After the assessment we will summarize the key points for you and give actionable suggestions.
We also offer remote assessments, running & gait-analysis-focused assessments for runners, and GOLD assessments for individuals looking to turn over every stone and take home a beefy documents to share with their allied health care team.
Don’t Want To Do 1-1’s?
Our range of rehab and performance programs allow you to select the amount of contact and individualization you need. We offer several other custom coaching & training options that might work for you instead.
Small Group Option: 3-On-1 Coaching
A great affordable alternative for those who are complex cases.
Remote Option: 1-On-1 Coaching
We’ve mastered the Zoom training sessions.
Remote Option: Strength and Rehab Programs
We offer 8-9 week Hip and Foot rehab programs that are delivered remotely through our app, or you can try custom strength programming provided by the same elite coaches.
Organizations We Partner With
What We’re Working Toward
Our mission is to change the way people perceive performance and rehab. Performance doesn’t mean getting the same program as everyone on the National team. Rehab does not mean you’re not working on the same spectrum towards high performance.
We believe that each individual’s ultimate goal is the realization of potential through high performance and great health. And, that performance and health are complementary.
