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From Knee Pain to Stolen Bases: Camden Crawford’s Two-Year Turnaround
Camden Crawford didn’t come to PowerStrength to chase a personal best. He came because he could barely make it up a flight of stairs without knee pain.
Two years, a full recovery, and a complete speed transformation later, he’s a faster, stronger version of himself — and he’s headed to Calvin University to play baseball.
THE START
Camden started training at PowerStrength about two years ago, and it wasn’t optional.
“I had very bad knee problems. So I wanted a way to help strengthen my knees again and get faster,” he said.
The damage wasn’t from an injury or surgery — it built up over time.
“It was more of an overuse problem. I was doing too much weight and stuff, and so I just ruined my knees. I had trouble walking upstairs and running, especially.”
THE ROAD BACK
Getting back to normal took patience.
“I’d say probably around four months or so, because it was a lot of resting, icing, ibuprofen, and then just strengthening all the muscles around my knees. That really helped.”
Looking back, Camden points to the root cause: bad form, not just bad luck.
“It was really just not proper form and doing too much weight. That’s really what it was.”
THE FORM HE WISHES HE’D LEARNED SOONER
Camden credits PowerStrength’s coaching with correcting the habits that got him hurt in the first place.
“I’d say about the first couple of sessions I really noticed it; the trainers showed me a lot of stuff — like making sure I keep my chest big, and I’m not arching my back.”
He doesn’t hide the fact that he wishes he started at PowerStrength sooner.
“I definitely wish I would have known better form sooner, because I feel like I would have just shot up a lot higher. But overall, I feel like it’s great to get in early, especially when you’re younger, because then you get that proper form and go from there.”
He also points to what sets PowerStrength apart from other programs.
“It’s so much more focused around one thing. At high school, if I’m lifting, it’s more of a full-body workout — it’s not specific toward a sport.”
THE SPEED TRANSFORMATION
Once his knees were right, the real gains started — and speed is where Camden saw the biggest jump.
“Speed-wise, that’s what’s changed the most for me. I was not fast before I came here, in all honesty. And once I started coming here, I slowly got faster and faster. Now I’d consider myself fast. I feel like that’s a big part of baseball — speed kills.”
The results showed up everywhere on the field.
“Hitting-wise, I was hitting the ball a lot harder. On the bases, I was able to steal more bases. And fielding — I could throw the ball across the diamond a lot harder.”
THE MOMENT IT CLICKED
For Camden, the turnaround became real in the middle of a game.
“It was actually the other day, just reminding myself that I used to have that knee problem, and I stole two bases in a game. I was just like, wow, I’ve come a long way. I’m finally starting to realize I’m a lot faster now.”
MORE THAN THE GAINS
The physical results came with something else attached.
“I gained a lot of speed, a lot of confidence, that’s for sure. I feel like I’ve become a better person coming here, with all the trainers and all the people I’ve met through PowerStrength.”
READY FOR CALVIN
This Fall, Camden heads to Calvin University to play baseball — and he’s not walking in with any doubt.
“I definitely feel like I’ll be ready. I feel like I’ve been well prepared for a long time now, and I don’t think I’m coming in behind. I think I’m going to come in ready to go.”
ADVICE TO THE NEXT ATHLETE
For anyone considering PowerStrength, Camden’s answer is simple.
“I’d say 100% do it. You’re not losing anything. All you’re doing is gaining stuff. And you make a lot of new friends and great connections all over, so there’s no reason not to.”
Asked to finish the sentence “PowerStrength is,” he didn’t hesitate.
“PowerStrength is amazing, and it’s a community.”
WANT TO SEE BIG RESULTS?
3rd–12th grade athletes of all sports and ability levels can sign up at PowerStrength at any time throughout the year while spots remain. Choose the PowerStrength location most convenient for you — Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, Holland, or Byron Center.
Visit powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.