Why Our Members Choose ActiveVT

ActiveVT started with one goal: to help people get strong for real life — not just for the gym. Our roots are in outdoor adventure, and that ethos lives on in the way we train: functional, focused, and built to carry over into everything you do outside the gym walls. We’re not about big crowds or chasing PRs for Instagram — we’re about real progress, expert coaching, and a community where people feel seen.

Driven by our core values — hungry, humble, happy, and helpful — we’re the kind of place where coaches know your name, workouts are personalized, and everyone is welcome.

Our Coaches, Your Support Team

The team at ActiveVT is small, experienced, and deeply committed to helping people move better and live stronger. Every coach here started out as a member — so they know what it’s like to walk through the door for the first time, and they carry that empathy into every session.

Founder and head coach Sam Werbel brings years of coaching, an L3 certification, and a background in endurance sports — from ultra-marathons to adventure races. Coaches Leah and Jenny each started as athletes at the gym and now bring their own mix of experience, warmth, and technical coaching. Whether you’re brand new or rebuilding after injury, the coaches at ActiveVT meet you where you are.

Sam Werbel

Head Coach

Sam has been an outdoor tour guide and CrossFit coach since 2016. Over 3,500 hours of coaching and 5 years of gym ownership later he created this new iteration of ActiveVT. Sam’s personal athletic ledger of experience includes many years of competitive Nordic ski racing and rowing, over 30 marathons, numerous ultra marathons, and even a previous World Record for 100km on the Ski Erg. While an outdoor endurance nut at heart, since 2013 Sam has been an acolyte of CrossFit methodology and worked hard to diversify his own fitness. Through this he developed a deep passion for helping others improve their fitness and ultimately their health. Sam has worked with athletes of all ages from 11-82, and ability levels ranging from Olympic athletes to sedentary desk workers, weekend warriors to total beginners.

Jenny

Coach

Jenny has been doing CrossFit since 2017 and coaching since 2022, bringing a calm, clear, and quietly confident energy to every class. With a background in soccer, cross country, and track, she’s always loved movement—and found CrossFit to be the key to building real strength and resilience.

Before coaching fitness, Jenny spent nearly a decade as an elementary educator, and it shows: she brings patience, presence, and an educator’s mindset to her coaching. Her passion for nutrition also runs deep—what started as an academic fascination with dietetics and a journey to people’s relationships with food eventually led her to become a certified nutrition coach. She’s since helped many others do the same: build a healthier, more sustainable approach to eating that actually supports their life.

Jenny is happiest when her fitness translates to adventure outside the gym. She’s an avid rock climber, hiker, trail runner, and mountain biker—and on slower days, you can usually find her sipping coffee with a good book and her dog Archie by her side.

Leah

Coach

Leah first found CrossFit in 2020 during the era of outdoor workouts, masked-up squats, and kettlebells spaced six feet apart. What started as a way to move turned into something much more: a source of strength, confidence, and community. She earned her CrossFit Level 1 in 2022 (alongside Coach Jenny) and also holds CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications.

While Leah dabbled in cross country and field hockey growing up, it was moving to Vermont for college that really sparked her love of being active—especially alpine skiing. But it was CrossFit, and the thrill of heavy barbells and bodyweight challenges, that helped her discover just how strong and capable she really was.

Leah holds the unique honor of being ActiveVT’s very first member, and that same spirit of “first to show up” carries through in how she coaches. She’s a natural at making newcomers feel at ease, a steady source of encouragement, and a bit of a goofball in the best way. She lives in Underhill with her partner, their two dogs, a cat, and some chickens—and in 2023, she ran her first (and, she insists, only) marathon.

Inside ActiveVT

Our 4,000 sq. ft. gym space is located inside Burlington’s iconic Union Station, giving us a unique blend of character and functionality. We’ve got two large locker rooms, six showers, and over 100 lockers — perfect for people squeezing in a session before work or after the school run.

The space is clean, open, and intentionally designed with no mirrors and no ego — just a colorful mural wall, rubber flooring, and plenty of light.

Your Downtown Burlington Gym

ActiveVT is located at the very bottom of Main Street in Burlington, inside the historic Union Station building — right where downtown meets the lake. We’re just steps from the bike path and waterfront park, making it one of the most scenic gym spots in town.

There’s metered street parking nearby, often free during early morning or late evening classes. Members can also access a discounted monthly pass for the attached parking garage. We’re easy to get to — just head into the Union Station building and you’ll find us inside.

Book Your Free Intro Session Today

Take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle with a free intro session at ActiveVT in Burlington, VT! Our team will provide a personalized tour of our facilities, introduce you to our services, and help you start your fitness journey. Schedule your session now and experience firsthand how ActiveVT can support your goals.