About Us

The Big Blue Strength Story

 

Free Consultation 

 

 

At Big Blue Strength,

We believe strength training should be approachable, effective, and life-enhancing, not intimidating or confusing. What started as a mission to provide expert coaching and intentional programming has grown into a community where people of all ages and experience levels can build strength, confidence, and better movement for real life.

Whether you’re new to strength training, returning after time away, or looking to improve athletic performance, we’re here to meet you where you are and help you progress in a way that’s safe and sustainable.

Our focus is on finding what fits you best, tailoring training and guidance to your goals, needs, and abilities, and helping you build strength that lasts.

Big Blue Strength is

more than a gym, we’re a community. We strive to make every member feel at home and supported, and we measure our success by your success.

Our coaches don’t just train you; they get to know you, challenge you, and celebrate your progress every step of the way.

 

Meet the Coaches

At Big Blue Strength, every coach is certified, experienced, and dedicated to giving you the best possible training experience. Our coaching staff combines academic credentials, real-world coaching experience, and a passion for helping people improve their strength, movement, and overall health.

Melissa Kamphake

Owner / Head coach

BA, CSCS, STOTT FL2, USAWL2

Melissa Kamphake is the owner and head coach at Big Blue Strength.  In her 20+ years in the fitness industry, she has worked with a variety of sports teams, athletes, and everyday folk.  She has also handled many clients with assorted conditions and injuries, post-surgery, and post-physical therapy… from ACL’s, ankle sprains, and rotator cuff tears to spinal fusions, spondylolisthesis, and herniated discs to heart attacks and lung transplants.   Everyone deserves to move well and Melissa has the eye to get them there.  Her clients age from 6 years to 99 years old.

Melissa has been coaching since high school, personal training & Pilates since 2001.  She established FitCamp and small group training in 2005 while living in New Hampshire, her home state.  After moving back to KY in Fall of 2007, she specialized in Pilates for a few years before bringing back FitCamp and small group personal training in 2010.

After being solely in a Pilates studio for years, studying to be a Fully Certified Level 2 Stott Pilates Instructor, Melissa noticed many of her clients would go elsewhere for additional fitness needs.  Whether it was cardio or strength training, she felt there was a need in Lexington for a facility that provided both… Pilates and Strength Training.

Melissa started Olympic lifting while in studying Kinesiology & Exercise Science at the University of Kentucky and continued while living in NH.  After a hiatus (to focus on her Pilates practice) she returned to the sport in 2010.  In 2011 she joined Central Kentucky Weightlifting under the eyes of Coach John Spurlock.  She currently lifts with East Coast Gold WL Team under head coaches Phil Sabitini and Leo Totten. She is a KY state record holder and American Record Holder and has been competing at a National level for 10+ years and Internationally as a Masters Lifter. Melissa became World Champion in the 45kg weight class (40-45yo) in 2022!  Melissa also serves on the board of directors for the Tennessee-Kentucky Weightlifitng State Organization. 

Big Blue Strength is an East Coast Gold and USA Weightlifting certified club with Melissa being a USAW Level 2 Coach. 

Big Blue Strength is the only one of its kind featuring a full personal training, Pilates and strength training studio with a competitive weightlifting team in the country.  A unique offering to the Lexington, KY area.  

Mike Kamphake

 Coach / trainer

BA, EMT, ACE, USAWL2

 

As a son of a strength coach, former UK football player, and current Lexington Firefighter, Mike is no stranger to the weight room. In addition to being an avid weightlifter, he has been coaching for 15 years off and on, around his fire schedule. With his great coaches of the past, his experience training at Westside Barbell during college, and his continued studying efforts “Kamp” is definitely a strong component and resource to our team!

Evan Wolfe

Coach / Trainer

 

Evan Wolfe is a recent Kinesiology: Exercise Science graduate from the University of Kentucky, and has been coaching here at Big Blue Strength for 1+ years. Evan grew up in Pittsburgh and then Cincinnati, before moving to Lexington for college and stayed. Evan has been an athlete for most of his life, primarily playing soccer from a young age until the end of high school, which is where his passion for strength training began. He belives that strength, the ability to move well, and movement pain free, drastically improves all aspects of daily life for all ages and athletes.

Our Philosophy

We believe the best results come from coaching, not guesswork. At Big Blue Strength:

You’ll never be “left to your own devices,”  our coaches are in your corner every session.

We meet you where you are and help you improve from there.

Every plan is personalized to your goals and needs.

Our community feels more like family than a gym membership.

Whether you’re stepping into the gym for the first time or aiming to advance your performance, Big Blue Strength is designed to help you thrive guided by coaching, supported by community, and focused on progress that feels real.

 

Ready to meet the coaches & start your journey?

Book a free consultation today to talk goals, training style, and your best next step.

 

Book A Free Consultation

Let's GEt SOcial

 

Get Started

Free Consultation

Give Us A Call

859-537-8032

Send Us An Email

bigbluestrength@gmail.com

Gym Hours

Mon-Fri: 5:30AM- 8PM Sat: 8AM-1PM Sun: CLOSED