Matt Lamarque’s physical strength is undeniable. In 2005, the Monterey native bench-pressed 801.2 pounds, roughly the weight of two silverback gorillas. The lift set a world record in the 242-pound weight class that still stands. Today he’s the top-ranked power lifter in the 220-pound class, according to the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters, Bench America, and Power Lifting USA.

But Lamarque also has a very strong business acumen. The 31-year-old just marked one year as owner of Garden Health and Fitness Center, with locations in Monterey and Carmel. He’s whipped the out-of-shape facilities into peak physical condition, replacing outdated equipment and remodeling fitness areas and locker rooms.

People are taking notice. “Before, the place was a dump,” says Mike Lipscomb of Carmel, a member at Garden for over 20 years. “Now, they’ve got new everything.”  

Despite the progress, Lamarque insists the job’s not finished. “I want to have the best equipped, classiest gym in the area,” he says. “We’re only a little more than halfway to our goal.”

On Dec. 28, he took a big step towards achieving that goal, unveiling a 1,600-square-foot private training space at the Monterey location. It serves as center stage for another one of Lamarque’s roles as one of the area’s most sought-after personal trainers.

Lamarque attributes his success in business to lessons learned in lifting. “It’s a purely individual sport,” he says, “You can’t hide behind teammates.”

He seems to thrive on that accountability. “The weights don’t change,” he adds. “You’re the only variable in the equation. You’re responsible for your own success or failure. It’s great for teaching a better work ethic.”

Lamarque started his career at the age of 16 while a student at Monterey High; by 18, at 180 pounds, he was benching 335; in the years since, strength competitions have taken him to three different continents. But the quietly-intense Lamarque says he really hardened his work ethic during eight years as a corrections officer, when he worked the graveyard shift at Soledad State Penitentiary. “I don’t mind working hard,” he says of the 80-hour work weeks and sleepless nights during his years at Soledad. “I’d leave my house at 9pm, and work from 10pm to 6am. I’d be at the gym from 7am to 5pm, then go out and do it again.”

Lamarque tries to instill the no-nonsense philosophy that made him a world champion power lifter in his clients. Lipscomb, for one, is a firm believer. He was referred to Lamarque three years ago, after complications from back surgery left him with severe spinal cord damage, and limited use of his right foot.

“I was constantly stumbling all over the place,” he says. After just four months of working with Lamarque, Lipscomb has recovered enough to race automobiles.

Lamarque holds himself accountable for the success of his clients, acting not only as a trainer, but as a coach and teacher. “He believes in what he teaches,” says Christina Rodgers, another Lamarque client. He tells you exactly what you have to do to get where you want to be. And he makes you believe you can get there.”

Rodgers, a mother of two, found herself struggling to lose weight gained during her second pregnancy. Under LaMarque’s tutelage, she’s lost 70 pounds. “It’s more than just being in better shape,” she says. “It’s a better quality of life.”

Lamarque now trains clients like Lipscomb and Rogers at a new private room at Garden stocked with state-of-the-art equipment. Much of the equipment was custom built by Lamarque and welder Josh Hageman, for Bovine Strength Systems, the upstart company Lamarque founded to market his line of equipment, accessories, and nutritional supplements.

Three of the custom pieces are currently patent pending, including an abdominal machine designed to eliminate the strain put on the hip flexors, providing 70 degrees of spinal extension. “Nobody else has this stuff. Even the equipment built by manufacturers is specialized,” Lamarque says. “We alter it to make it better.”

Beyond inventor—and world-class athlete, entrepreneur and personal trainer—Lamarque holds another title that requires strength: “Dad.”

He and his wife DeAnna are the proud parents of two daughters, Lexi, 11, and Sophia, 4. Of course, with the kids, the kind of strength that lifted him out of bed for those graveyard shifts at Soledad is more practical than the kind that pushes 800 pounds.

But Lamarque maintains that the core discipline is constant.

“Strength is unique,” he says. “It carries over into every other characteristic.”