Popular West Coast Sports Performance Training Program Now Available to East Coast Athletes

Boston, MA (June 18, 2004) Young athletes seek to emulate the techniques and training regimen of their sports heroes. Often, the athlete has the desire, but may not have access to the same professional level training programs. Originally developed for professional athletes, a proven sports training methodology, the Competitive Athlete Training Zone (CATZ) (http://www.catzsports.com), provides what young athletes have been missing:  a customized, professionally managed and safe training program for attaining their optimum level of performance. CATZ is currently being offered to athletes, young and old, of various shapes and sizes and all skill levels, throughout the Greater Boston area.

Founders Jim Liston and Kevin Wentz developed the CATZ program in 1997 when they began working with both elite and amateur athletes throughout California. In 1998, the duo was hired by Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Los Angeles Galaxy, and trained them to be eventual MLS champions. These two professionals bring cutting-edge training methodologies, thirty years total experience, and a crew of highly skilled trainers to the Greater Boston Area, with plans to expand throughout the country.

Two weeks ago, the US Men’s Soccer team was in town to play a “Friendly” game against Honduras. Six of the eleven starters have trained with CATZ, including Captain Claudio Reyna and Greg Vanney (the only American to ever play in France’s 1st Division). “I have worked with many strength and conditioning programs throughout my career and none touches CATZ in its ability to prepare you for sport,” exclaimed Greg. “Not only did these guys get me in the best shape of my life, they made me a better soccer player by helping me react to the chaos on the playing field.”

“The CATZ program fills a void in amateur athlete training by providing professional strength and conditioning programs specifically designed for each individual athlete,” said Todd Ducharme, EVP/General Manager, CATZ. “We believe that every athlete, from the 9-year old little leaguer to the 63-year old golfer greatly benefits from specialized training,” he added.

Over the past several years, athletic training consisted of spending hours in weight rooms and running mile after mile to become more physically fit, in preparation for the upcoming season. Athletes who have participated in this type of training will agree, it is extremely time consuming, results vary drastically from athlete to athlete, does not assist in injury prevention, and it may not be beneficial for all sports. CATZ makes athletes better athletes, no matter the sport. In addition, CATZ will keep athletes where they belong, on the field of play, by reducing the chance of injury.

By developing comprehensive conditioning programs for individual athletes, the training team at CATZ prepares the athlete “to be great.” The CATZ program is designed to improve overall athleticism, not teach sport specific skills. “We are not here to take the place of the coach, we are here to help make the athlete quicker, faster and stronger.” said Kevin Brochu (Sports Performance Director—NE Region). “By the time pre-season begins, the result will be a better overall in-game athlete, and the coach can focus on preparing for the upcoming season, versus spending valuable practice time getting his/her players in game shape.”

CATZ programs include specific exercises that reflect the realistic and often unpredictable environment of sport, or “chaos training.” The programs designed by the CATZ trainers meets the athlete’s fundamental needs, including movement, balance, power, speed, endurance, leadership and teamwork. In addition, CATZ programs highlight the importance of injury prevention and rehabilitation, when necessary.

“CATZ is the best workout I have ever had. No other program is as exhilarating or as challenging as CATZ. The combination of cardio and weight training make for a powerful and rigorous total body workout.” said Andrew Maxwell, a junior at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham who plays varsity hockey and soccer.

The CATZ program was originally sought by professional athletes whose performance objectives required a custom-built program. The program now caters to youth and amateur athletes, from middle-school students preparing for the jump to high school athletics, to students whose college acceptance is riding on their athleticism. In addition, many athletes turn to the CATZ program when recovering from an injury, and others who simply love their sport and wish to become better. No matter what the athletic objective, or who the athlete, the dynamic environment at CATZ promotes their common goal, to develop life-long habits to continue to be a quicker, faster, stronger athlete.

-- 30 --

CATZ facilities train athletes of all ages and all skill level. The CATZ program focuses on real life movements that reflect the real life chaos encountered in all sports. The CATZ model trains athletes to predict the unpredictable with precision, confidence, and agility. To learn more about CATZ and how to schedule an appointment, please visit the web site at http://www.catzsports.com or call us at 617-449-CATZ or 617-686-0908.

CATZ training is offered at the following locations around Boston:

1. Norfolk: Forekicks Indoor Sports Complex
2. Walpole: National Fitness at Iorio Ice Arena
3. Middleton: Extra Innings Training Center
4. Woburn: Wright Hockey Training Center (Opens July 2004)
5. Canton: Canton Sportsplex (Opens September 2004)