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PowerStrength & FaR Out Volleyball: Stronger Together
For more than a decade, FaR Out Volleyball athletes have trusted PowerStrength for strength and performance training.
Now, that alignment has entered a new phase.
With PowerStrength’s newest location inside the Special Olympics of Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, and FarOut Volleyball operating in the same building, collaboration is no longer occasional — it’s integrated.
Shared facility. Shared athletes. Shared mission.
FROM ACCESS TO ALIGNMENT
FaR Out athletes have been training with PowerStrength for years. The results have consistently shown up on the court — higher verticals, faster first steps, stronger swings, better stamina.
What has changed is proximity.
With both organizations under one roof, volleyball-specific strength and performance training is no longer an add-on. It is built into the weekly rhythm.
And the athletes are feeling the difference quickly.
“I really just wanted to get stronger and then be able to increase my vertical a lot, especially for volleyball,” Piper Vugteveen, who plays for FaR Out 15 Black, said.
In her first two months, she increased her vertical by four inches.
Emma Ruffino, who is on 15 Diamond and started in December, added 2.5 inches to her vertical and said, “I’ve noticed my power and my agility getting a lot faster.”
Vivian Cooper is also on 15 Diamond and has been training at PowerStrength since last June.
“I’m able to release and move quickly a lot more,” Vivian said about the results of her training.
These are not isolated improvements. They are consistent outcomes when progressive strength, movement mechanics, and speed training are layered properly.
IMMEDIATE CARRYOVER TO THE COURT
The most telling feedback isn’t just numbers — it’s performance transfer.
“I’m way more explosive, and I can move to the ball faster,” Piper said. “When I’m going up to block, I feel like I get way higher. I get on top of the ball more when I’m hitting.”
Arm strength, often overlooked in youth volleyball development, has also translated directly.
“I never realized that gaining arm strength, how much it would help my swing,” Emma explained. “My serve feels more consistent. I’ve felt like I’ve had more power to use in different ways.”
Stamina is improving across teams as well.
“When we’re doing sprints, we don’t feel gassed anymore,” Emma added. “Our jumping and timing have improved. I feel like our mentality has just been better.”
Practice refines skill.
Performance training expands capacity.
The combination accelerates development.
THE ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
Nearly every athlete mentioned the same theme: the culture.
Starting something new can be intimidating.
“The first day, I was pretty nervous,” Piper admitted
Emma said that when she began, she didn’t know anyone and felt unsure walking into a new space.
That hesitation faded quickly.
“The coaches were super welcoming,” Piper said. “They just showed me exactly what to do, and everyone was really nice.”
“I get excited to come work out,” Emma said with a big smile. “The coaches are great.”
“I really like the coaches,” Vivian added. “They are very motivating.”
The sessions are structured but competitive.
“It’s fun because we compete against each other, but also encourage each other,” Piper said.
“It’s really fun,” Vivian said. “I get to bond with my team. It’s definitely made me closer to some of my teammates.”
The shared training environment is strengthening relationships off the court — and improving performance on it.
Athletes are training hard together, discussing the weekends, pushing each other, and building accountability.
Confidence is growing as well.
“I don’t feel the fear of coming into a new space anymore,” Emma shared. “I hope to be a leader.”
THE WHOLE PACKAGE
When asked why more volleyball players should train, the responses were direct:
“They can benefit by getting better agility and jumping higher and running faster,” Vivian said.
“It’s a perfect mix of everything,” she continued. “There’s heavy lifting. There’s full body. There’s jumping and running. You get the whole package.”
That “whole package” is intentional.
The Far Out-specific sessions focus on:
- Vertical force production
- Acceleration and deceleration mechanics
- Lateral speed and reaction time
- Upper-body strength for swing power
- Targeted injury prevention addressing common volleyball weaknesses
This is not random lifting or generic conditioning.
It is progressive performance training built around the demands that high-level volleyball demands.
WHY THIS PARTNERSHIP MATTERS NOW
For years, FaR Out athletes made the short drive to PowerStrength. Now, strength and sport live in the same building.
Access is immediate. Integration is tighter. Communication between environments is easier.
The partnership that began more than a decade ago has been reignited — and elevated.
The athletes already training are seeing measurable gains in vertical jump, agility, reaction time, stamina, swing power, and confidence within months.
The pathway is already built.
And the results are already showing up.
“I would definitely recommend coming,” Emma said. “I love it.”
WANT TO SEE BIG RESULTS?
PowerStrength offers specific partnerships and team training options in all sports to get faster, stronger, and more confident.
4th-12th grade athletes of all sports and ability levels can sign up at PowerStrength at any time throughout the year while spots remain. Multiple sessions are offered after school and into the evening, specific times vary by location.
PowerStrength has 8 locations in West Michigan – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, Holland, Byron Center, Jenison Youth Academy, and Plainfield Youth Academy.
Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to Get Started.