Dylan Van Skiver, a junior at Forest Hills Northern, has been training at PowerStrength for over three years. As the youngest of four siblings to come through PowerStrength’s doors, Dylan has followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers and older sister. The  Van Skiver family legacy at PowerStrength goes all the way back to the original facility affectionately known as ‘The Garage.’

Dylan’s commitment to in-season and out-of-season training has given him an edge in his athletic endeavors, including lacrosse and soccer.

When asked why he started at PowerStrength, Dylan credited his siblings’ influence. 

“Both my brothers did it when they were younger at the old garage. They said it really pushed them, so that kind of pushed me to come here,” he shared. 

Like his siblings, Dylan sought to become stronger and faster, especially after seeing the benefits they gained from their soccer training. 

“I was tall but kind of slim. I wasn’t that strong, so I wanted to push myself to get stronger.”

GETTING SERIOUS

Dylan has indeed reaped the rewards of his dedication. Training in PowerStrength’s advanced program, Premier, he gained 15 pounds, improved his overall strength, and most importantly, increased his speed and acceleration. His enhanced athleticism helped him achieve a major milestone: making the varsity lacrosse team as a sophomore last spring. 

“It was a really big deal for me,” Dylan said reflecting on that accomplishment. “PowerStrength played a big factor in that. I’ve been working in the offseason, and it paid off.”

SECRET WEAPON

Balancing soccer, lacrosse, travel lacrosse, and training is no small feat for Dylan, but he makes it work. 

“I try to get in two sessions a week during the season. It’s hard with practice every day and games on Saturdays, but I fit it in whenever I can,” he explained. 

In-season training has been crucial to maintaining his strength and mobility. 

“Keeping your strength up and keeping your mobility up is important while you’re in season,” Dylan emphasized. 

UNLOCKING NEW SPEED

Speed and acceleration were key areas Dylan wanted to improve, and PowerStrength delivered. 

“The getting-going part was a big thing I needed to get better at,” he admitted. “This year, when we started doing sprints, I was really surprised how fast I was.” 

Through customized training that focuses on sport-specific movements, Dylan saw dramatic improvements. His sessions at PowerStrength are tailored to his in-season status, with coaches adjusting his workouts to support his needs as a lacrosse and soccer player.

MOVING THE CHAINS

Looking ahead, Dylan is eager to continue pushing his limits. 

“I want to put on more weight, maybe get leaner,” he said. 

His goal is to rejoin the Premier program next year and continue his upward trajectory. As he prepares for his next varsity season, Dylan knows he’s ready—thanks in no small part to PowerStrength. 

“I’m a lot more prepared. It’s crazy how much stronger and faster I’ve gotten,” he reflected.

With a strong work ethic and dedication to his training, Dylan Van Skiver is not only a strong athlete at Forest Hills Northern but also a shining example of what can be achieved through consistent hard work at PowerStrength. 

As the Huskies gear up for the district tournament in soccer, Dylan’s contributions will no doubt be vital in their quest for a deep run in the state tournament.

GET STARTED AT POWERSTRENGTH 

4th-12th grade athletes of all sports and abilities can sign up at PowerStrength at any time while spots remain. Choose the PowerStrength location most convenient for you – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Holland and Plainfield.

Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.