Nolan Koetje is only four weeks into training at PowerStrength. 

He’s already seen a shift in how he trains and the accountability behind it, and it’s unmistakable.

THE START

Nolan, a Junior pitcher and outfielder at Grand Rapids Christian, came to PowerStrength looking for something specific: real coaching.

“I just really wanted someone to push me,” he said. “With a coach — I was going to my old gym before this, and I just wanted someone to push me and get me stronger.”

The coaches made the fit clear from the start. 

“They told me, ‘we know you play baseball, we have a lot of guys who play baseball — we can help you, for pitching, by working the muscles that need that to happen,'” he said. “And they had me set a muscle goal — I said ten pounds. They told me, ‘we can make sure you reach that goal.’ That’s what made me want to come here.”

THE CONTRAST

For Nolan, the difference between his previous gym experience and PowerStrength isn’t subtle.

“At my old gym, I was honestly just walking around — not really lifting,” he said. “Maybe 15 minutes, but otherwise I was just wandering. Here, it really helps me focus on certain muscles I need for baseball. It keeps me focused.”

THE ACCOUNTABILITY

Having a coach directly involved in every session has changed how Nolan approaches his training.

“It’s been great having a coach,” he said. “They keep me accountable — my number of sets, my reps. When they’re watching me, they make sure I do all of it. And if I don’t, they hold me accountable for it.”

EARLY RESULTS, HONESTLY

Nolan isn’t claiming results he hasn’t earned yet — but the early signs are real.

“I’ve definitely noticed myself getting stronger. Increasing my weight significantly has already been shown to me.”

WHAT HE’S WORKING TOWARD

Even this early, Nolan already has a clear sense of what the work is building toward.

“I’ve wanted to reach a certain goal for pitching velocity,” he said. “I know that by getting stronger, and working on those specific muscles, I can see it on the field — and I can become more of a key player on the team.”

He also sees a clear structure for his PowerStrength workouts. 

“Coming here, we have a set plan of what we’re doing. You know how to prepare yourself for what you’re going to do.”

WHY IT MATTERS FOR A COMPETITIVE PLAYER

Nolan, who played mostly JV last season before getting called up to the Varsity for playoffs, sees strength training as essential to closing the gap at the varsity level.

“I see it as really important, just to know you’re dedicated to getting stronger — and that really shows off on the varsity field,” he said. “You’re playing against guys who are 17, 18 years old, and they’re all big. In baseball, you need power, especially in the hips and the core.”

THE COMMUNITY

Several of Nolan’s teammates train at PowerStrength alongside him, and he sees real value in that shared commitment.

“It’s good to know we’re all working out, and we can keep each other accountable for what we’re doing and what we’re not doing right,” he said. “It helps us build community — and we can also use that to help teach younger guys coming into the baseball program.”

Asked to sum up what PowerStrength has meant to him after just four weeks, Nolan didn’t hold back.

“PowerStrength is the base of everything,” he said. “It helps my mental health, my physical health, it’s helped me get stronger, and it’s helped me build bigger connections. PowerStrength is the power.”

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.