In the world of baseball, strength isn’t just about how far you can hit a ball or how hard you throw—it’s about staying healthy, being explosive, and maintaining consistency over the long grind of a season.
That’s exactly why athletes like Justin Johnson and Brian Messing have made strength training an essential part of their development from high school to college.
Both Johnson and Messing are alumni of Forest Hills Eastern High School and long-time PowerStrength athletes who understand the connection between hard work in the weight room and success on the field.
Their journey highlights how consistent, sport-specific training can unlock new levels of performance for baseball players at any level.

THE RISE TO ALL-GLIAC
After 2 years at the community college level, Justin Johnson had a breakout season this spring for Davenport University, helping lead the Panthers to 42 wins and hosting an NCAA Division II regional.
Johnson earned 1st Team All-GLIAC honors at 1st base and led the team in games played, doubles, home runs, RBI, total bases, and stolen bases—a rare combination of power and athleticism.
Johnson credits PowerStrength for helping him build the physical foundation he needed to thrive at the next level. He began training at PSTS during his sophomore year of high school and continues to return each summer to sharpen his edge.
“PowerStrength gave me the edge,” Johnson said. “Just from being stronger than a lot of other guys. The mindset here is to grind and get your work done. This is a workout you do in a college weight room, and it prepared me for what was to come.”
Johnson was a standout in both football and baseball in high school. Following his personalized sports performance program at PowerStrength helped him separate from the competition.
“Weights became lighter and lighter, especially as the year went on,” he said. “The hard work in here really paid off in seasons. As well as speed and football-wise, moving people was easier. As well as hitting the baseball far and hard.”
Johnson credits his time at PowerStrength for giving him a clear advantage when he transitioned to college baseball—both physically and mentally.
“This is a workout you do in a college weight room. That prepared me for what was to come ahead in college baseball and those workouts and what fall is really like in college ball.”
More than just physical gains, Johnson points to the mental shift he’s developed through training. His 2024 season wasn’t just about stats—it was about showing up confident, experienced, and prepared to lead.
“The change of mindset was huge. Playing free, playing loose, putting an emphasis on the process. And being older and more experienced helps. You try not to ride the roller coaster—stay as flat as possible for as long as possible.”
While training in the Summer College Program at PowerStrength, Johnson takes time to reset and refocus before heading back into a long fall and spring grind.
“I’m taking the summer off from playing, so just looking to be as strong as possible and to stay healthy. This is a great way to do it—keeping the knife sharp.”
EXPLOSIVE TO ELITE
Brian Messing is another example of an athlete who saw strength training as more than optional—it was a necessity.
After 2 years of college baseball, he’s now committed to Beloit College, and says his edge comes from the time he’s spent at PowerStrength, both in high school and as a college athlete.
“In high school, I noticed my explosion was a lot better than other kids,” Messing said. “Then in college, once I started adding muscle mass along with that explosion, I really just excelled physically and mentally.”
For Messing, the structure and intensity of PowerStrength’s College Training Program help replicate the feel of an elite-level program—something many athletes don’t find during summer break.
“This simulates the closest thing to a college weight room. I carry that back into the fall and really excel. When I get to the spring, my body’s good to go. I see physical benefits over some other guys—where they lack, I can excel.”
His current focus is on increasing bat speed and overall strength. Even in just a few weeks, Messing says the improvements are already visible, and he’s excited to keep going.
“I can already tell from 4 weeks ago to now, the small improvements I’ve made. It really makes you feel good. I’m looking forward to 4 more weeks and then 4 more weeks after that.”
And unlike some teammates at school who hit the weight room without a clear plan, Messing arrives with purpose—something PowerStrength has instilled in him.
“Some guys go in there with no plan. I know what to do, how to do it, and how to carry myself. Others are kind of in there blindly.”
ADVICE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Both athletes agree on one thing: if you’re a young baseball player who wants to reach the next level, strength training has to be part of the plan.
“Get into PowerStrength as often as you can,” Messing said. “The more you’re in here, the more gains you can make. It really pays off.”
Johnson echoes the sentiment, adding that the journey is just as important as the destination.
“Come in every day with a smile. The 1st thing you do is give a high-five to the trainers. Work hard. Sweat. Enjoy it—you don’t get to do it forever. Make the most of it while you can.”
At PowerStrength, the baseball offseason is anything but slow. With personalized programs, expert coaching, and a community of athletes pushing each other, the weight room becomes a training ground for the season ahead—and a launchpad for long-term success.
GET STARTED AT POWERSTRENGTH
Want to train like Justin and Brian?
4th-12th grade athletes of all sports and abilities can also sign up at PowerStrength at any time while spots remain. Choose the PowerStrength location most convenient for you – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, and Holland.
Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.