Rob Darnbrough was forty-nine when doctors told him his active life was over.
A routine scan revealed an advanced aortic aneurysm—severe enough that two cardiologists warned him never to walk uphill again or lift more than twenty pounds. The diagnosis was particularly devastating for Rob, who had long been immersed in endurance sports and fitness training, including his time racing with the Canadian National Cycling Team.
But instead of accepting that fate, Rob did what lifelong athletes do: he searched for another way forward.
That search led him to an unusual piece of NASA technology designed to help returning astronauts rebuild muscle and cardiovascular function after months in microgravity. The machine—called Vasper—pairs cooling, compression, and interval work to create a strong physiological response with minimal strain. Rob began using it three times a week in his garage. Within six months, his VO₂ max had climbed back to that of a healthy twenty-five-year-old.
The unexpected recovery caught the attention of his son, Connor, a competitive freeride skier and mountain biker who was facing his own health crisis after contracting MRSA nearly two dozen times and developing an autoimmune condition. If traditional “push harder” fitness was breaking down even the fittest bodies, what could a better system look like?
That question became the origin of the Smart Fit Method.
In 2018, the father-son duo began building a training model grounded in science rather than volume: short, targeted sessions using robotics, data, and adaptive resistance to maximize strength gains without sacrificing long-term health. By 2021, the Smart Fit Method officially launched, and today the company has seven studios across Southern California and Utah—including new locations in Park City and Millcreek.
“We want people to rethink what ‘fit’ actually means,” says Connor, now CEO. “We’re not just focused on lifespan—we’re focused on healthspan. Helping people stay strong, active, and healthy for as long as possible.”
Walk into the Millcreek studio, and the contrast with a traditional gym is immediate. The space is quieter, the lighting softer, and the overall atmosphere more like a small performance lab than a commercial fitness center. Trainers circulate without rushing, greeting people by name. There’s reggae playing low in the background, and the flow of the session feels organized rather than frantic.
Members rotate through equipment such as:
- CAROL bikes, designed to alter oxygen usage during brief, structured intervals
- ARX adaptive resistance, which adjusts the load automatically as you move
- The NASA-developed Vasper system, the same technology that first helped Rob rebuild his cardiovascular capacity
Sessions are short, and trainers stay nearby—not to push intensity, but to explain data, track progress, and help people understand their own patterns over time.
“The whole thing takes about 20 minutes,” says Tim Duerler, owner and investor of Utah’s Smart Fit locations. “I love efficiency. I like being outdoors, hiking, and being in the mountains. These programs allow people to train effectively while still having time to live life. It sustainably supports mental and physical well-being.”
Duerler says the most surprising part of Smart Fit is who ends up using it.
“We work with everyone. From everyday clients to six-time world champions and Olympians,” he explains. “When you look at all of this advanced technology, it’s clear things are changing. For 60 to 80 years, strength training has mostly meant picking up a barbell or dumbbells, with no precise tracking. Now we can track everything and compare progress over time. This is the next level of fitness.”
For the Darnbroughs, the Smart Fit Method wasn’t built to chase a trend. It was born from two athletes learning firsthand that “more” isn’t always better—and sometimes it can be dangerous.
Their approach flips the script many people grew up with: fitness doesn’t have to be punishing to be effective. When training becomes smarter, more precise, and more efficient, people can stay strong for decades longer.
Smart Fit offers complimentary assessments and a trial to anybody who wants it. Dueler suggests, “Instead of paying separately for gym memberships, personal training, cold plunges, nutritionists, and testing, we include everything in one comprehensive package.”
The studio also offers a full recovery area that includes four temperature-controlled cold plunges, a 108-degree sauna, and a red-light therapy room.
Still not convinced? As Duerler said, “Try it for yourself.”
Book online on their website: smartfitmethod.com/location/salt-lake-city or stop by for a drop-in located at 1295 Miller Ave, Unit 10, Salt Lake City, UT 84106.