ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
“The Griffin Elite Sports & Wellness athletic performance staff will design and implement sport/ need specific training programs that are rooted in the truths of human function and movement. We will assess and correct movement and function deficiencies by utilizing the latest techniques based in physiological science. Athletes will be appropriately progressed based on their individual threshold of success. We will interact with our athletes/ clients with the upmost respect and dignity to ensure the highest level of comfort possible when working with the Griffin Elite family. “
IT'S NOT WHAT WE DO. IT'S HOW WE DO IT!
At Griffin Elite Sports & Wellness our competitive advantage will be that we hire and retain the highest quality coaches and staff. The qualifications of a Griffin Elite Athletic Performance staff member are as follows:
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Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from an 4 year accredited university
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Minimum of a NSCA-CSCS or CSCCa certification
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Minimum of 2+ years of experience working in a performance based training setting
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Ability to utilize an exercise science education to program and train athletes of all sports and ability levels (Youth beginner to Professional)
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Have a genuine desire to change the lives of the athletes we get the opportunity to coach
With that being said, everyone can write a workout, but it takes a well-trained and seasoned coach to communicate it properly in a manner that builds trust and confidence with the athletes we work with. It will be how we go about our business that will make a real difference in the lives of our clients, not just what we program on the computer.
COACHES
Blake Baxter
Assistant Director of Athletic Performance
MS, CSCS, USAW Level I, USA TF
College Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology (Central Washington University), Master’s Degree in Exercise Science (Eastern Washington University)
Work Experience: Has worked with several men’s and women’s sports (Volleyball, Softball, Football, Women’s Soccer, Women’s & Men’s Tennis, and Men’s Basketball) at the division one and professional level. Also has experience developing beginner, intermediate, and elite youth and high school athlete. Since joining the staff at Griffin Elite Blake has taken the reigns of all aspects of the high school group team training. Blake takes his time to sit and discuss each head coaches training/ coaching philosophy and designs a training program to reach the team closer to their overall goals.
Jeff Merkt
Athletic Performance
Coach
SCCC
College Education: Bachelor's Degree in Sport and Entertainment Management (University of South Carolina)
Work Experience: Has worked with University of South Carolina Football, Men’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Track & Field, Xavier University Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Track & Field and Volleyball including many Olympic athletes. He has also designs strength and conditioning programs for U.S. Army Special Forces 7th group, U.S. Army Rangers 1st Battalion, F.B.I, and S.W.A.T.
Has worked with professional track and field athletes, coaches current NFL players, competes in powerlifting, is number 10 all time for the University of South Carolina in discus.
TEAM TRAINING
Team Athletic Performance Training can be utilized by teams of all ages and sports that have a want to train as a unit and get better. Before any training begins the Athletic Performance staff will meet with a coach or representative from the team to discuss the long term and short term goals for the team’s training. After that, the Athletic Performance staff will design a program that will help the team achieve their goals. Training can include anything the coach desires, ranging from agility, mobility, sprint mechanics, speed and/or weight training focus, power, weight loss/ gain, etc. Each team training session will include a dynamic warm-up, agility and/or weight training session, injury prevention exercises and a cool down.
TESTIMONIALS & RECOGNITION
"When I was looking for a Athletic Performance partner to enhance AT THE YARD's Velocity Pitching Program I didn't have to look far to find Griffin Elite and Bryan Lewis. I believe Bryan and his staff's knowledge of how a athlete should work helped produce overwhelming positive results in our Velocity Program."
Chris Hook / At the Yard Baseball
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING
The Certified Athletic Performance Coaches at Griffin Elite Sports & Wellness know that every client’s needs are different. We pride ourselves on complete customization directly geared to our athletes and their goals. We offer One-on-One Individual Training experiences, specifically designed to meet your needs. One-on-One Group Training clients benefit from an introduction to Ground Based Training session at the on-set, as well as the Griffin Elite Movement Evaluation.
TESTIMONIALS & RECOGNITION
“Working with Bryan Lewis was one of the best things that probably could have happened to me. He evaluated my body, then created a monster workout plan that allowed me to increase my muscle while keeping my mobility. Bryan knew the by creating a training plan that increased by weakness’ while further improving my strengths was key for getting my ready to play at the next level. I will always workout with him, he is one of the best in the business!!!”
Danuel House Jr. / Washington Wizards / NBA Shooting Guard
On a seasonal basis the Athletic Performance Staff of Griffin Elite will offer sport-specific training geared towards youth to collegiate athletes. The Athletic Performance staff will vary the training sessions offered based on the time of year for each sport (typically off-season for: Football, Basketball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Golf, etc). Every month there is a sport in need of training and we will do our best to offer the highest level of training for each sport year-round.
**If you see a need in the area for training feel free to email one of our Athletic Performance Directors and let them know your ideas.