Sports Training Success

Velocity Sport Performance finds success by offering athletic training to all ability levels with a one-on-one focus.

Velocity Sport Performance- Carlsbad, Calif., offers sports training for athletes in every sport and at all skill levels. Owned by former NFL cornerback Charles Dimry and his wife Erin, the Carlsbad facility is part of a national franchise of Velocity Sports Performance facilities that has more than 70 centers across the U.S., and 22 centers in Canada.

The facility in Carlsbad features full-size indoor basketball and volleyball courts, and offers a pain management clinic and physical therapists. In addition, it uses a video analysis system that allows athletes to see their performance in action, and allows coaches to analyze athletic performance. "This gives coaches the opportunity to make corrections where necessary, and gives athletes the opportunity to see how they are improving," says Velocity Sports Performance CEO Troy Medley. The Carlsbad facility works with NFL Combine preparation, collegiate athletes, NFL and MLB players, and "regular" athletes.

The facility offers athletes ages eight to adult semi-private and team-based sports performance training designed to help increase speed, power and agility, while reducing the risk of sports-related injuries, Medley explains. The training, coupled with physical therapy, can help to "reduce down time and speed recovery for athletes and non-athletes alike following an injury," Medley adds.

Velocity Sports Performance centers are not traditional fitness facilities. Clients include student athletes (ages eight to 18), recreational active adults, competitive adult athletes, elite amateur athletes (including collegiate and Olympic), professional athletes, multi-sports athletes, and occupational athletes like SWAT and police agencies, firefighters and other first responders. Core programs at the Carlsbad facility include youth, middle school and high school athletes. Often, athletes of various levels are training at the facility at the same time. Says Medley, "This gives our younger athletes a chance to see firsthand that what they are doing even works for the pros - not to mention giving them the chance to train next to a pro."

Training classes are conducted in small-group settings of eight clients or fewer, and focus on each athlete's individual needs. "The belief is that training in small groups allows more personal one-on-one attention between coach and athlete, which ensures that each athlete will be able to get the instructions they need to improve," Medley says. Classes focus on improving overall athleticism, using an integrated approach. Attention is given to improving strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility and energy system development.

Velocity Sports Performance centers are staffed by full- and part-time certified coaches. The Sports Performance Director, as well as Performance Coaches, hold degrees in exercise physiology or related fields, are certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and have previous coaching experience.

The Products and Programs team at the corporate center identifies and researches equipment. The team performs beta tests before sending equipment to all of Velocity's centers. "We ensure that we always remain cutting-edge within the industry, and follow standards used by major league sports teams and within college sports," says Medley. Programs are also designed by the Products and Programs team, based on research and best practices within the industry. The team is led by coaches who have coached at the highest levels in the industry, according to Medley.

Marketing for Velocity Sports Performance is done on a local level, primarily through grassroots efforts like sponsoring local events, teams and athletes. Local marketing efforts are supported by a corporate marketing team that provides onsite training, online marketing tools and public relations assistance.

Says Medley about the success of Velocity Sports Performance, "Programs have not only shown great success in helping young athletes attain greater athleticism, but have demonstrated the ability to build self-esteem in each child and battle childhood obesity."