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Game-Changer: How Summer Training Prepared Breanna Tubergen for College Success
Breanna Tubergen had never lifted weights before coming to PowerStrength Training Systems in her senior year of High School.
A 3-sport athlete from NorthPointe Christian High School, she was committed to playing volleyball at Indiana Wesleyan University but lacked the club experience most of her future teammates would have.
She knew if she wanted to compete at the college level, she needed to find an edge.
“I was already committed to play volleyball at Indiana Wesleyan,” Breanna recalled. “I really just wanted to be able to be competitive. I had never played club sports before, so I knew I was coming in with a lot less experience. I wanted to be more comfortable in the gym, build strength, get my vertical up, and be a competitive factor.”
BUILDING STRENGTH, CONFIDENCE, AND A VERTICAL JUMP
It didn’t take long for Breanna to see results.
“I would definitely say I saw an increase in my vertical — that was huge, it was game-changing,” she said. “It made me stronger and really built my confidence. I was never scared to hit the ball hard or move my arm with full mobility.”
Her time in the gym translated directly to the court. She noticed improvements in her speed, her ability to get to balls, and the power behind her swings.
“I didn’t have any upper body strength when I came here,” she admitted. “But I was able to put the ball away, get up for big blocks, and do my role for the team.”
Even in soccer, where she played goalie her senior year, Breanna saw the benefits.
“I could move more quickly, get out in front of people, and make it harder to score.”
OVERCOMING INTIMIDATION
As someone with no weight room background, Breanna admits her first visit to PowerStrength was intimidating.
“Oh, I was petrified,” she laughed. “When I got here, everybody was so much stronger. But after my first day, it became a place I loved to be. It’s such a welcoming environment — they build you up. They’re here to make you better and help you reach your potential.”
The PowerStrength coaches helped her conquer those fears.
“They don’t make you feel dumb. If I asked how something would help me, they gave me answers and put it in real-life perspective. That made me comfortable and confident.”
SUMMER ADVANTAGE
Now heading into her junior season at IWU, Breanna returns to PowerStrength every summer to train in the college program — a program designed for male and female athletes from all sports who want to return to campus in peak condition.
“For my college, we get summer workouts. But here, I’m pushed harder. Being around other college athletes — especially other female athletes — brings out my competitive nature,” Breanna said. “I’ll realize I can go up a weight because I see other people doing it. That environment makes such a difference.”
She also values the confidence it gives her when she returns to school.
“My team is very good, and training here makes me feel like I belong. When we go back to the lifts at school, I feel confident, strong, and ready.”
AN ENVIRONMENT LIKE NO OTHER
Breanna says the environment is just as important as the workouts.
“You walk in and someone yells your name from across the gym. They ask about your weekend, your job, your life. They care about you as a person, not just as an athlete,” she said. “They want you to be a good person and to succeed outside of sports.”
At PowerStrength, each athlete has a program tailored to their sport and specific needs. For Breanna, that means more jumps, more explosiveness, and less emphasis on heavy barbell lifts.
“They know my sport and exactly what I need to be better at it,” she said.
ADVICE FOR OTHER COLLEGE ATHLETES
To any college athlete considering summer training at PowerStrength, Breanna’s advice is simple: “Do it. It’s such a great experience. You go back to school feeling strong and in shape. It’s worth every second.”
Breanna is proof of what can happen when athletes — regardless of sport or experience level — commit to training with purpose.
PowerStrength’s college athlete program is proven to give athletes the tools, strength, and confidence to compete at their best.
As Breanna heads into another season at Indiana Wesleyan, she does so stronger, faster, and more confident than ever — ready to make an impact on the court and beyond.
GET STARTED AT POWERSTRENGTH
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. And a new Byron Center location Opening later this Fall!
Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.
