Why This Fitness Expert Loves Living in Portsmouth, NH

iStock.com/PeopleImages

Jenna Armstrong arrived in Portsmouth, NH, in 2020, carrying an impressive resume that includes a stint teaching at the White House Athletic Center. With years of experience training high-profile clients, she brought a refined level of movement expertise to the Seacoast.

Today, she leads the team at Barre & Soul, guiding the local community through yoga, Pilates and barre. Armstrong shares why she’s traded the capital for the coast and what she loves most about living here.

How has it been establishing a professional and social network in Portsmouth?

It’s been easy to meet a bunch of people through my job. When I moved here, I was teaching at three different studios, and I met so many locals who told me where they like to go.

I started making friends with the people who come to classes, and now I have a network of friends who are transplants from all over. Like attracts like – we all just landed here, and we love it.

As someone who works in the industry, how would you describe the health and wellness scene here compared to previous places you’ve lived?

The health and wellness scene in Portsmouth is actually huge. Considering my background has been in major cities, I was under the impression that there would be just maybe one studio in town. Instead, there are so many different styles of fitness studios and running clubs. One of my friends is even on a competitive cycling team. It’s so important to peoples’ wellbeing, and maybe because of the long winter, they really need the outlet of movement. It’s really inspiring to know how many people are willing to keep moving regardless of the weather.

Based on your experience, what do you think is Portsmouth’s strongest selling point for attracting ambitious professionals in their 30s and 40s?

There are so many things. “Community” is the word that comes to mind. There’s a big focus on health and wellness here, and every studio I’ve worked at focuses on the community aspect of what they do.

When you move here, you land in a bubble of friends.

There are also great restaurants. We love to go out to eat and meet up with friends at our favorite Indian or Thai restaurants. Plus, being close to the beach, mountains and shopping – as well as between Boston and Portland – makes this a great community to be a part of.