Gym With Old-School Feel Finds A Home In Downtown Rockville

VERNON, CT — When a Vernon-based fitness guru known in local circles for new-school passion and old-school work ethic decided to branch out with a brick-and-mortar studio, it was quite obvious where he belonged — Downtown Rockville.

Welcome to Izzy Functional Fit at 21 West Main St. It was opened in late summer by Israel Caban, known in these parts for coaching basketball with an inkling for conditioning.

"I have two heroes in my life — Jesus and Muhammad Ali," Caban likes to say.

And that's certainly reflective in the gym. Part of it has that feel of, say, February of 1964, when Ali was in Miami Beach putting the finishing touches on his training for the first Sonny Liston fight.

That's right, Caban peaches a no-frills worth ethic. The boxing regimen he offers is designed as both a general fitness program and also a cross-training method to enhance athletes conditioning in other sports.

He has other sports-specific programs (especially basketball) and a general fitness programs that involve things like heavy ropes and tires and tried-and-true manual exercises.

"This is the perfect spot for me," he said. "A place like this belongs here. I belong here."

Caban added, "Just bring your goals. I will find a way."

See more about Izzy Functional Fit here.