With school back in session and everyone at home in a good rhythm, it was about time to start planning fall/winter sports (because with a house full of three active boys: #ITSNECESSARY). My older boys had already decided that basketball was going to be their sport of choice once those leagues opened up.
We had never heard about Michael Johnson Performance (MJP) until the opportunity with Collin County Moms became available for us to check it out and have a trial class. My middle schooler, who is 12, had just made his school’s basketball team and was eager to see what this place was all about. His goals were simple: to get quicker, stronger and faster.
When I say that Michael Johnson Performance was here for it, I mean they were HERE FOR IT! How had we not heard about this awesome place? Located in the heart of Collin County, in McKinney’s Craig Ranch area and not even 10 miles from our home, it was the perfect distance to give it a go. If the name rings a bell that’s because it’s run by (no pun intended) Olympic Legend/”Fastest Man in the World,” Michael Johnson. Yes, THE Michael Johnson.
What is Michael Johnson Performance?
It’s a facility that offers personalized athletic training programs for professional, college, and young athletes using the philosophies of Olympic gold medalist, Michael Johnson. But honestly, it is SO MUCH MORE than this. It’s the next generation in athletic development.
Upon scheduling the trial class for my oldest son, we were prompted to choose from a variety of class times, Monday through Saturday. There are programs tailored for kids ranging from ages 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, and 15-18. Best of all, the programs are geared towards developing the athlete’s speed, agility, and strength no matter the sport they play.
Once we arrived, the check-in process was very easy. Kids find their name on the device that leads to a 25,000 square foot multi-purpose indoor turf, complete with a four-lane indoor track, state-of-the-art weight room, and Nike Sports Research Lab…while I found my way to the parents’ viewing room that features WiFi and plenty of seating.
What You Can Expect from MJP
The dedication and professionalism combined with the overall athletic knowledge that the staff and trainers exhibit at MJP set my mind at ease. This was the perfect choice for anyone of my kids in getting them adequately prepared for their sports regime. They provide measurable results by performing an athletic evaluation prior to starting a training program, as well as doing a progress evaluation at the conclusion.
Not only that, but along the way, trainers and athletes are tracking progress to achieve maximum potential. It’s easy to see why athletes at the facility achieve an average of 4% improvement on speed, power, and agility PER WEEK. Younger athletes in the ages 6-8 (Go Program) have training options of one or two/sessions a week and each session lasts one hour, while ages 9-11 (Learn to Train) have training options of one-two-or-three/sessions a week that also last one hour. Athletes ages 12-14 (High School Prep) and 15-18 (College Prep) also have one-two-or-three/sessions a week, but each session lasts 1.5 hours.
One of the best things I noted during our time at the trial class, was that every athlete gets the most out of their time at MJP. Athletes are at a designated area of the facility with a no more than a 10-to-1 athlete-to-trainer ratio at either the track, turf, or court. And finally, moving on to the weight room, the emphasis is on proper strength training versus repetitive weight training. Also, I can not speak enough about each trainer that I saw working closely with their group of athletes. The dedication to proper form really speaks volumes in the area of sports and overall training of these young athletes.
What My Son Thought of MJP
Once the class had ended and we drove back home, I got to asking my son what he thought about this trial class and his exact words were, “I feel stronger already (as he flexed his biceps). I got to see what things I need to work on to gain the strength I want and can see how some of the kids there [who’ve been going for a while] have better form when doing the speed drills.”
A couple other things I noticed that caught my attention was how data-driven MJP is when it comes to tracking progress. It reminded me of my teaching days and having a group of kids at different levels, but differentiating a program for each person so that everyone can succeed. We also learned that the same trainers who are working with each group of young athletes at the facility also work or have worked with professional athletes. And lastly, MJP boasts an underwater treadmill, a recovery suite with hot and cold tubs, and a complete physical therapy clinic for athletes (young to professional) who have undergone an injury or surgery to get back-to-sport ready.
After seeing firsthand ALL that MJP offers, I encourage any parent with an athlete from 6 to 18 to go check out the state-of-the-art facility and schedule a FREE trial class. They are also offering everyone a 15% discount off any of their core training programs and camps. Just use code: MOM to receive your 15% off.
But wait, there’s more!
MJP is giving away 6 holiday camps (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years), valued at $199 each!
These holiday camps are a perfect way to get a condensed version of the program while the kids are home from school and keep them moving and active while improving their overall athleticism. Holiday camps are typically three days and run from 9 am to 12noon.
Contact Michael Johnson Performance at 469-424-6572 to schedule a FREE trial class, with 24-hours advance notice. Want to save some money on Black Friday? MJP is offering 25% off Core Training Programs using promo code Friday. Offer will expire on November 30th. Be sure to check them out as well on the social platforms below:
FACEBOOK :: INSTAGRAM :: TWITTER
