Programmed, not improvised
Every block is planned around strength, power, mobility and conditioning, and it progresses week to week. Athletes see the work add up.
SOVA Sports Med @ SPARK
Real training.
Every Saturday.
Strength and conditioning for Special Olympics Virginia athletes, coached in a small group at a sports medicine clinic in Alexandria. Same program design we use with every competitive athlete in the building. Nothing watered down.
A local partner of Special Olympics Virginia.
Why this group
Athletes who want the hard work
Special Olympics athletes train, compete and win. They deserve the same coaching as any athlete chasing a better season. That is what Saturdays at SPARK are for.
Small group, two coaches
No more than 8 athletes in the hour, with two coaches on the floor. Everyone gets coached, not just supervised.
Built inside a PT clinic
A Doctor of Physical Therapy designs the testing and watches the movement. If something hurts, the person who treats it is already in the building.
One hour, start to finish
What a Saturday session looks like
The group trains together first, then splits by sport so a swimmer and a basketball player each get what their sport demands.
-
0:00
Warm-up together
Movement prep and mobility as one group. Same routine every week so athletes know what comes next.
-
0:15
Strength block
Squats, hinges, pushes, pulls and carries, loaded to each athlete's level and progressed over time.
-
0:40
Sport stations
Athletes split by sport for speed, agility, power or endurance work that carries straight into competition.
-
0:55
Cool-down and check-in
Stretch, a quick word with each athlete, and a note on what we will build on next week.
How we measure progress
Tested where they start. Measured on how far they go.
We use the same testing systems we run for school teams and adult clients. Every athlete is compared against their own first test, not against anyone else.
For competitors
SPARK Sports Med Combine
Mobility, power, agility and strength. The screen that shows what is holding an athlete back in their sport, and what to train next.
For everyone
SPARK Centenarian Decathlon
Grip, balance, getting up off the floor, carrying, climbing. The strength that keeps people independent and doing what they love for life.
Families get a plain-language report after each test, written for the athlete and the people who support them.
TestFirst testNow
Grip strength18 kg23 kg
Single-leg balance6 sec14 sec
Floor to standHands + kneeOne hand
Broad jump41 in47 in
Farmer carry, 40 yd2 × 15 lb2 × 25 lb
Next focus: single-leg strength on the left side.
Who coaches
The people on the floor
Jarrod Denham
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Runs strength and conditioning for SPARK's athlete programs, from youth teams to adult clients.
David Eackloff
Strength & Conditioning Coach
15 years of coaching, including work with Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Dr. Carlos Berio
DPT, MS, CSCS, CMTPT
Owner of SPARK Fieldhouse and a physical therapist in Northern Virginia since 2009. Designs the testing and oversees the program.
A word from Special Olympics Virginia about this partnership.
Tyler Martin, Director of Mission Integration, Special Olympics Virginia
For families and caregivers
Questions we hear first
If yours is not here, call or email and you will reach our team directly.
Who can join?
Special Olympics Virginia athletes who want regular strength and conditioning. Competitors and non-competitors are both welcome. Ages [X] and up.
What does it cost?
Ask your SOVA area program first. Some areas help fund sessions for their athletes. After that, families pay per block of sessions. Call or email us for current pricing.[Block price]
Can a parent or caregiver stay?
Yes. You are welcome to watch from the side of the gym, and we will check in with you at the end of each session.
What if my athlete has a medical condition?
Tell us on the intake form. A Doctor of Physical Therapy reviews every athlete's history before the first session, and training is adjusted as needed.
What should they bring?
Athletic clothes, sneakers and a water bottle. We provide all equipment.
Will there be more sessions by sport?
That is the plan. We start with one Saturday hour and add sport-specific groups as each one fills.
For SOVA coaches and teams
Bring testing to your team
We can come to a practice or competition, test your athletes on site and send every family a report. We also run team sessions at SPARK.
Saturday spots are limited to 8
Reserve a spot
Send us your athlete's details. Our team will reach out to confirm the time, answer questions and get the intake form to you.
Call (703) 329-0181
Email [email protected]
Visit 5712 General Washington Dr, Unit H, Alexandria, VA 22312
Call (703) 329-0181 or email [email protected] to reserve a spot.