The Outlet offers fitness programs with an MMA focus

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

DEXTER — Those looking for a mixed martial arts (MMA) training center or simply to take part in fitness programs related to the sport no longer have to travel out of the region as The Outlet is now open on the Dover Road (Route 7) in the former Family Attic Thrift Store building.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

MIXING IT UP AT THE OUTLET — The newly-opened The Outlet in Dexter offers fitness programs based on the mixed martial arts for various ages and abilities with some a range of participants from fighters training for professional and amateur bouts to others looking to simply get some exercise. Among those present for a recent evening session were front, from left, Patrice Witham, Ariel Briggs, Kristy Rizzitello — who operates The Outlet along with her husband Angelo — and Connor Verreault. Back, Angelo Rizzitello, Justin Witham, Dave Thompson, Derek Shorey, Stacy Lupo and Zachary Harmon.

“Our specific focus is mixed martial arts and we will stay on that,” said Kristy Rizzitello, who operates The Outlet along with her husband Angelo. While The Outlet has opportunities for professional and amateur MMA competition training through the Shatterproof Combat Club, the newly-opened center also offers fitness training related to MMA for adults and youth as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), kickboxing and other fitness programs for various ages.

“There really isn’t anything like this in the area,” said Angelo Rizzitello. A merchant marine, Rizzitello remarked that before opening The Outlet when he is home he — and probably other residents of the region — did not want to have to travel to Bangor or Brewer to work out at a similar facility. “The drive’s a lot for a lot of people,” he said.

Rizzitello said at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA in Dover-Foxcroft he met Derek Shorey, who was working out with a small group in Dexter while training as a professional MMA fighter. “That’s how it started, five guys working out upstairs in the town hall in Dexter,” Rizzitello said.

Kristy Rizzitello said this group organized by Shorey began in late 2014. She and Angelo Rizzitello both said the town of Dexter treated them very well, but there were some limitations as the participants did not have anywhere to leave their gear and sometimes the space would be needed for other uses such as indoor softball practice during inclement weather.

The MMA group, a mix of professional and amateur fighters and others who worked out to enjoy the fitness benefits of the sport, later moved into the former Dexter Shoe Building where they stayed for about six months. “Then this building came up for sale,” Kristy Rizzitello said, as they are currently leasing the facility.

Angelo Rizzitello said while working out at the Dexter Shoe Building he thought of the company that once called the facility home. He was reminded of the name Dexter Shoe Outlet and the term outlet and “that is a perfect name for a gym, let’s take it.”

“Everybody has been accommodating in the whole process,” Rizzitello said, thanking both the town and the Cronkhite family for housing them before The Outlet opened earlier this year.

“We are here and kind of just getting our feet into it, figuring out what’s best,” Kristy Rizzitello said. “We are putting in men’s and women’s changing rooms as well as putting in showers,” she said about on-going construction projects as the facility is being arranged to fit the user’s’ needs. Rizzitello said some space is being set up for free weights, but they want to keep the MMA focus to avoid competing with other fitness centers in the area.

The Outlet offers programs such as adult and youth BJJ, children’s MMA, cardio circuits, cardio kickboxing, the Shatterproof Combat Club as well as private lessons. The programs feature expert instructors such as Taekwondo Black Belt Stacy Lupo for kickboxing, BJJ Purple Belt holder Zack Adams for this discipline, the Rizzitellos and Shorey.

During a recent evening over a half dozen people working out at The Outlet were taking part in cardio circuits in the large exercise room. “They are going to do 30-second sessions, geared toward high intensity,” Kristy Rizzitello said, as the participants went through exercises such as jumping rope, pushups and footwork with a rope ladder placed on the mat-covered floor. Several of the MMA fighters wear dressed in multiple layers of clothing as they preparing to make weight prior to weekend fights at an event in Lewiston.

“This is basically our warm-up, it’s hard but it’s go at your own pace,” Angelo Rizzitello said. “We are all at different cardio fitnesses.” He explained this is a contrast to other type of fitness programs, such as a Zumba class where all participants are lined up together. “Everyone’s doing their own thing so they are not really aware whether you are at that level or not.”

“The big rule we have is no shoes or egos on the mat,” he said. “We do spar but when you leave you hug and are friends. It’s a brotherhood, you meet people from all walks of life.”

Rizzitello said regardless of how much money someone has or what type of vehicle they drive, “We are all equals on the mat, you just have mutual respect for everybody. It’s a sport you can participate 100 percent into your 70s and 80s.”

“It’s obviously a children-friendly atmosphere, there’s a kids’ area for youngsters,” Kristy Rizzitello said as several young children played while their parents exercised.

Children wanting to take part in MMA programs can do so at The Outlet. “Kids we do circuits with them, basically an introduction to mixed martial arts,” Angelo Rizzitello said, saying the key to any combat sport is cardio conditioning. “We focus on proper technique so they don’t hurt their hands.”

He said there has been the most interest so far in youth BJJ, as the evening before he had an information session for families of children considering taking part.

Kristy Rizzitello said an observation window was recently installed to provide a view for parents to see “‘what is my child working on, what is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martials arts?’” She said the children do not engage in combat, instead “really learning the basics of the skills.” Rizzitello said the young martial artists learn focus and discipline, a message repeated when they are on the mats.

“There will probably be a grand opening in the spring,” she said, with other fitness programs possibly being added later in the year.

Rizzitello said one future program may be a 5K mud run on The Outlet’s 16 acres. She said she has taken part in the Tough Mountain Challenge at Sunday River for the last half decade, and she would like to have classes leading up to a similar event in Dexter to help teach participants skills such as crawling through tight spaces and making it through very cold water.

A yoga school is also being planned, as is an outdoor cycling group.

The Outlet is located at 322 Dover Road in Dexter. For more information, please call 924-5144 or go to The Outlet Facebook page at www.facebook.com/theoutlet.biz.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

KICK IT UP A NOTCH — Getting a kickboxing workout in at The Outlet in Dexter are, front from left, Dave Thompson with Zachary Harmon, Stacy Lupo with Connor Verreault and Derek Shorey with Patrice Witham.