Strength training for athletes in Edwardsville
Train Smarter. Move Better. Compete Stronger.
Epic Sports Performance in Edwardsville offers SPARQ - a elite-level training program designed to help youth, middle school, and high school athletes in the Edwardsville & Southern Illinois areas improve strength, speed, and performance in a supportive, structured environment.
Book Your Strength Training Session Now
One-hour sessions focus on cardio, plyometrics and strength. Athletes will sharpen speed, power, agility, reaction and quickness (SPARQ) skills to help them level up their overall performance.
Monday - Thursdays
Session 1: August 4th - 28th
Session 2: September 2nd - 30th
SPARQ Classes
$120 - 2 times per week or $60 - Once a week
Youth - 3rd - 5th grade: 5pm - 6pm
Middle School - 6th - 8th grade: 6pm - 7pm
High School - 9th - 12th: 7pm - 8pm
Why Do Basketball Players Need Weights and Cardio Training?
Basketball is a physically demanding sport that requires a combination of strength, endurance, speed, and agility. To compete at a high level, young athletes need to build a well-rounded fitness base that includes strength training with weights and cardiovascular (cardio) workouts. Here’s why these components are critical for basketball players:
Increased Strength and Power: Lifting weights helps young athletes develop the strength needed to perform better on the basketball court. Stronger muscles mean more explosive movements—whether it’s jumping higher for rebounds, accelerating faster on the fast break, or powering through defenders for a layup. Strength training, when done correctly, increases overall body power, which is key for competitive basketball players.
Enhanced Endurance: Cardio training, which includes activities like running, cycling, or using the treadmill, helps build the cardiovascular endurance required to last through the intense demands of a full basketball game. Conditioning exercises improve stamina, ensuring that players can maintain their performance from the first to the final whistle without fatigue.
Injury Prevention: Weights and cardio workouts contribute significantly to injury prevention. Building strength through weight training in our workout gym improves muscle stability, reduces joint strain, and ensures that athletes have the muscular support needed for sudden stops, changes in direction, and jumps. Cardio workouts, on the other hand, enhance heart health, which supports better circulation, recovery, and overall resilience.
Agility and Quickness: Cardio workouts often involve fast-paced drills that can increase a player's agility and quickness, two of the most important skills on the basketball court. Whether they're running suicides, working on footwork drills, or performing agility ladder exercises, cardio training improves reaction time and lateral movement—key aspects of basketball defense and offensive footwork.
Mental Toughness: Both weight training and cardio workouts can foster mental toughness. Young athletes learn discipline, focus, and the importance of pushing through physical challenges. These skills translate directly to the basketball court, where mental stamina can be the difference between winning and losing.
Build a Strong Foundation at Epic Sports Performance
We are committed to helping young basketball players reach their full potential. Our workout gym offers the best in weights and cardio training in the Edwardsville area, giving athletes the tools they need to succeed both on and off the court. For middle and high school athletes developing their basketball skills, focusing on strength and endurance training is essential.
By training with weights and cardio, players not only enhance their physical performance but also develop the mental toughness needed to compete at a high level. Epic Sports Performance provides the ideal environment for young athletes to grow, train, and excel.
If you’re looking for a place to take your basketball skills to the next level, choose Epic Sports Performance at The Bridge Sportsplex in Edwardsville, Illinois. It truly is the perfect training destination for your young athlete.