Training Philosophy
Our approach to athletic development
The ISP Advantage: Train Fresh
The biggest problem with traditional school + sports? Kids train tired.
After 6+ hours of sitting in class, your child goes to practice with depleted energy, slower reactions, and diminished focus. They build bad habits because they're exhausted.
ISP flips this.
| Traditional School | Iowa Sports Prep |
|---|---|
| Training after 6 hours of school | Training after 2 hours of focused academics |
| Tired body, tired mind | Fresh body, sharp mind |
| Bad reps from exhaustion | Quality reps from focus |
| Homework at 10pm after games | Recovery time after games |
The edge compounds over years. Training fresh means better reps, faster improvement, and fewer injuries.
We Don't Replace Your Trainer
ISP is not a training facility. We don't replace your club team, personal trainer, or strength coach.
What we do:
| ISP Provides | You Provide |
|---|---|
| Academic education | Athletic training |
| Life skills curriculum | Sport-specific coaching |
| Schedule flexibility | Training time and location |
| Athlete mentorship content | Hands-on coaching |
| Recovery time | Practice schedule |
We make the rest of your child's athletic development possible by getting school out of the way efficiently.
Training Partnerships
We partner with training facilities across Iowa to provide discounts and access for ISP families.
| Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Facility Partners | Discounted rates at select gyms and training centers |
| Event Access | ISP-exclusive training sessions and clinics |
| Coach Network | Referrals to vetted trainers in your area |
Partners vary by region. Ask us about options near you.
The Life Skills Curriculum
While we don't train your child's body directly, we do train their mind and habits.
Sports Nutrition
What elite athletes eat — and when.
| Topic | What Students Learn |
|---|---|
| Macronutrients | Protein, carbs, fats — what each does |
| Meal timing | Pre-game, post-game, recovery |
| Hydration | How much, what kind, when |
| The "99" standard | What D1 and pro athletes actually eat |
Sports Psychology
The mental game that separates good from great.
| Topic | What Students Learn |
|---|---|
| Visualization | Seeing success before it happens |
| Pressure management | Performing when it matters |
| Emotional resilience | Bouncing back from failure |
| Process focus | Controlling what you can control |
Recovery & Lifestyle
The stuff that happens outside practice.
| Topic | What Students Learn |
|---|---|
| Sleep optimization | Why 8+ hours matters |
| Active recovery | What to do on off days |
| Injury prevention | Listening to your body |
| Schedule management | Balancing training, school, and life |
Athlete Mentorship
ISP students learn from athletes who've made it.
| What Students Get | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Daily content | Videos, posts, and tips from partner athletes |
| Weekly live sessions | Video calls with Q&A |
| Behavior benchmarks | "What elite athletes did at your age" |
| Direct engagement | Athletes respond in the community |
This isn't distant celebrity endorsement. Athletes are part of the ISP community — posting, answering questions, showing what elite really looks like.
The "Are You Doing What They Do?" System
Most young athletes overestimate their effort.
They think they're working hard. But compared to what elite athletes did at the same age? There's usually a gap.
MyPath shows this clearly:
| Your Behavior | Elite Athlete's Behavior at Your Age |
|---|---|
| 4 hrs training/week | 13 hrs/week |
| No film study | 1.5 hrs film/week |
| 6.5 hrs sleep | 8.5 hrs sleep |
| Skipped breakfast | Oatmeal + eggs daily |
The goal isn't to shame. It's to show what's possible — and what it actually takes.
Philosophy: Long-Term Development
We're not about shortcuts or quick fixes.
| Short-Term Thinking | Long-Term Thinking |
|---|---|
| Max out training hours now | Build sustainable habits |
| Specialize early | Develop broad athleticism |
| Win this season | Develop for peak years |
| Grind through exhaustion | Train fresh, recover fully |
Elite careers are built over 10-15 years. We help students think in those terms.
For Parents: Your Role
You're not just dropping your kid off at school. You're a partner in their development.
| Your Job | ISP's Job |
|---|---|
| Make sure they're logging habits | Track and gamify the habits |
| Support training consistency | Free up time for training |
| Choose quality coaching | Provide academic education |
| Model healthy lifestyle | Teach the principles |
The most successful ISP families are engaged — not micromanaging, but aware and supportive.
FAQ
Q: Do you offer sport-specific training?
A: Not directly — we're a school, not a training academy. But every ISP student gets $100/month in Training Credits to spend on training, equipment, and facility access. And we organize ISP Group Lessons where 4-6 students train together with professional coaches during school hours (when everyone else is in class). See our Training Credits Guide.
Q: Can ISP students play on public school teams?
A: Yes! Iowa law (House File 189) requires public schools to allow ISP students to play sports. Your child can attend ISP AND play Friday night football, wrestle, compete in basketball — whatever their sport. ISP handles the eligibility agreement with the district so you don't have to negotiate. See our Sports Access Guide.
Q: What sports do you focus on?
A: ISP is sport-agnostic. Our life skills and athlete mentorship apply to any sport — basketball, football, soccer, swimming, golf, tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, dance, wrestling, etc.
Q: What about multi-sport athletes?
A: Great. Multi-sport athletes benefit the most from our flexible schedule. No conflict between fall and spring sports when your school day is done by 11am.