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Strength in Numbers: Sparta Football Transforms with Team Training
As the Sparta High School football team attacks the off-season, one thing is clear — this group is built differently.
After spending the entire Spring training at PowerStrength Training Systems, 25 Spartan football players are stronger, faster, more explosive, and more confident than ever before. Backed by proven training methods and expert coaching, they’re stacking gains and setting a new standard for their program.
Under the guidance of certified coaches at PowerStrength, every rep is monitored and every session is intentional. Athletes aren’t just ‘lifting weights’ — they’re training with a purpose.
From agility to power development to injury prevention, Sparta football is checking every box as they prepare to make a statement this fall.
WALKING THE PATH OF SPARTA GREATS
After 9 seasons, Mark Chapman stepped down as the head coach of the Spartans, and Ryan Patterson has taken over. One of Patterson’s first moves was to get more of his players training at PowerStrength Training Systems.
These players are following in the footsteps of recent Sparta standouts — and PowerStrength success stories — Mason Conklin, Dustin Warner, and Jayden Cochrane, all of whom are set to play college football this fall. Their development at PowerStrength set the tone for what’s possible.
Sparta junior running back and linebacker Aaron Merdzinski was one of the first current team members to take the leap.
“I’ve always known about PowerStrength from guys like Dustin, Mason, and Jayden,” Merdzinski said. “At first, I didn’t think I’d be good enough to do it. If Dustin’s doing it, why should I? But once Coach Patterson got us involved as a team, I decided to try it — and the progress I’ve seen is insane.”
For Merdzinski, the results have been both physical and mental. Last year, he weighed 154 pounds. After gaining size and adding muscle, he’s more agile, quicker, and far more confident.
“I used to be a little pudgy, and now I’ve really transformed,” he said. “When we do pro agility, I’m beating guys who are supposed to be quicker than me. That feels good.”
Mentally, the transformation has been just as important.
“I had a lot of self-doubt at first,” Merdzinski admitted. “But now I see we’re all in the same spot, trying to get better. It’s a lab — we’re all learning and working. It’s helped me so much mentally.”
CULTURE OF COMMITMENT
That culture — of showing up and outworking the doubts — is spreading. When the opportunity came to sign-up as a group at PowerStrength, Merdzinski was one of the first ones to do so.
“I don’t like being the only one doing something, but sometimes you’ve got to take that first step,” he said. “Once I signed up, a whole group joined me. These guys have put in so much work, and I’m super excited for that.”
Sparta lineman Coben Boehnlein echoed the same sentiment. He’d always been interested in PowerStrength and the Team Training opportunity made it possible.
“Our coach partnered with PowerStrength,” Boehnlein said. “I was excited, and I’ve loved it.”
The results have been immediate.
“Physically, in the mirror, I’ve seen my whole upper body has got way more muscular and I feel drastically more explosive and strong,” he said. “Every day, I surprise myself with how well I can move the weight. It’s awesome.”
Jaxon VanHoutum played on the offensive line last season on the varsity team as an undersized freshman. He began his goal of adding muscle at PowerStrength back in December, several months before the team training even started.
“I got faster, stronger, and I could definitely tell when I was on the court for basketball,” VanHoutum said. “I could jump way higher and get down the court faster.”
His abilities are skyrocketing with the team training, raising his expectations for his sophomore season.
“Last year I was discouraged a little because I was smaller than everybody,” he said. “This year I’m going to be up to it. I’m way faster and stronger.”
But it’s not just about individual progress. Boehnlein emphasized the team bonding that comes with training together.
“It’s awesome to see guys gain confidence and want to add more weight. It makes me so much more excited to get on the football field.”
SETTING THE TONE FOR SUMMER AND BEYOND
Sophomore Blake Steinbacher, a two-sport athlete, has seen how PowerStrength pays off across the board. Whether it’s his explosiveness or velocity on the baseball field, the benefits are real.
“I’ve gotten more explosive, added muscle, and developed more mental toughness,” Steinbacher said. “It teaches you that you can keep going, even when you think you’re done.”
And the confidence?
“Knowing that I’m improving physically — that’s huge for my confidence.”
With training wrapping up for the Spring, Sparta players are already looking toward the next phase — Summer Team training in June and July. For those who missed the spring due to other sports or commitments, it’s a second chance to get on board. And for those who have been grinding all Spring, it’s the perfect opportunity to stack progress and launch into the Fall ready to dominate.
“I’m telling everybody to sign up,” Merdzinski said. “The results are crazy. You’ve just got to show up and put in the work.”
TRAIN LIKE A TEAM. WIN LIKE A TEAM.
PowerStrength Training Systems offers Team Training options at all 5 locations for all sports.
Every athlete trains under the eye of a certified coach, ensuring that progress is safe, efficient, and performance-focused.
In a sport where inches and seconds matter, Sparta football is finding its edge not on the field, but in the gym, together.
“Building our strength as a team together is just amazing,” Boehnlein said.
INTERESTED IN TEAM TRAINING?
PowerStrength offers specific group partnerships and Team Training options in all sports to get faster, stronger, and more confident.
PowerStrength has 5 locations in West Michigan – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, and Holland.
Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more about signing up your team or group while spots remain.
