This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Epeefleche (talk | contribs) at 07:53, 30 July 2009. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 07:53, 30 July 2009 by Epeefleche (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) | This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Athletes' Performance Institute (API) is a private personalized performance training institute, described by MLB.com as "a high-tech fitness boot camp for professionals." Training programs can include aspects such as a nutrition program, massages, metabolic tests, cardiovascular work, drills, and aptitude and media training.
Personalized training centers are a relatively new concept. API was founded by Mark Verstegen, who holds a masters degree in Exercise Science and studied at Georgia Tech, in 1999. The Tempe, Arizona facility opened in 2001. In 2001 API began an NFL Combine preparation program for prospective NFL athletes, training them for the NFL Combine tests. Since its inception more than 25 first round picks were API athletes, including eight each in the 2005 and 2006 NFL Drafts.
In the spring of 2001 Sports Illustrated noted that Sandy Alomar had spent the prior December at API, and was noticeably stronger.
In 2002 Peter Gammons of ESPN noted that "prospect Carl Crawford is tearing it up in the Triple-A International League, showing far more power to go with his extraordinary speed after spending the winter working at . And when in August 2002 Wayne Gretzky, then a long-retired managing partner with the Phoenix Coyotes, took part in the team's four-week session at API, that prompted unfounded rumours that he would return to competition.
After the 2002 season Boston General Manager Theo Epstein sent Kevin Youkilis to the API for an intensive six-week training regimen, which Youkilis liked so much that he moved his offseason home to Arizona, and began training at API on his own dime.
And the Boston Globe and MLB.com reported that in Curt Schilling trained at API as well in 2003 and 2005.
In 2003, API opened a second facility in Carson, California, primarily for soccer, tennis, cycling, and track and field athletes. Its athletes have included Olympic gold medalists, MLS Cup champions, and major sport All Stars. In 2006, a third facility was opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, for basketball players. Nine of its athletes were first-round draft picks in the 2006 NBA Draft. In 2007 a fourth facility was added in Gulf Breeze, Florida, to focus on rehabilitative and performance services.
In the 2005-06 offseason Giants starter Jason Schmidt spent part of his time at the API, playing catch in the mornings with Schilling, taking a course in nutrition, and hitting the weights diligently enough to add 20 pounds, while shedding body fat. He leveraged the opportunity by also picking Schilling's brain during their time together as to how he approaches the game, something that in earlier years one could only expect to do with teammates.
In 2006 Sports Illustrated reported how Vernon Davis, tight end of the San Francisco 49ers, had performed what he described as "aggressive, intense, and raw" two-a-day, 90-minute, core-strengthening workouts six days a week for six weeks at ATI. Davis performed three or four sets of each exercise, focusing in turn on different muscle groups so he could work longer with less fatigue. He lowered his time in the 40-yard dash from 4.56 to 4.38, increase his vertical leap from 40 to 42 inches, and gained nine pounds. The 49ers took him sixth overall. In January 2009 USA Today reported that Josh Hamilton was spending a month at the facility, where he was in bed by about 7:30 each night and headed to work out before 6 a.m.
In the summer of 2005 a negative note crept into API's track record, as Mike Ricci of the Phoenix Coyotes injured himself while training at API, and needed surgery to repair a disk in his upper back which was creating pressure on a nerve.
In 2008 another use of API was demonstrated by Larry Johnson -- a place to work out during an extended contract holdout.
Among other athletes who have trained at API are Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Cody Ross, Josh Hamilton, Joe Saunders, Justin Morneau, Jason Bartlett, Eric Chavez, Brian Roberts, and Manny Ramirez,