It’s one of the best kept secrets in Arizona.
Unless, of course, you’re an NFL draft prospect looking to enhance your resume for pro scouts.
Athletes Performance and its 31,000 square-foot facility in north Phoenix has been the workplace of future NFL stars and this year is no different as some of college football’s elite look to improve their strength, speed, agility and flexibility.
“Since 2000, Athletes Performance has been sold out in its’ [NFL Scouting] Combine preparation,” API Founder and President Mark Verstegen told Brad Cesmat Wednesday on “Big Guy on Sports.” “Our slots are usually sold out a year in advance to the agents and our athletes who have gone through The Combine are already rejoining us now.”
If any NFL prospects don’t believe their hard work at Athletes Performance will pay off, think again.
“14 of the first 32 overall picks of the draft were Athletes Performance clients,” Verstegen explained to Cesmat. “We had roughly 90 go in the first three rounds. This year’s class is even stronger than that. It’s exciting to see these kids have a great opportunity for fulfilling life.”
API’s sole focus isn’t football. They are home to professional baseball players, the Sereno Soccer Club here in Phoenix, and even the Chinese Olympic Team.
They also offer training locations in Los Angeles, Frisco, Texas, Gulf Breeze, Fla. and Norwell, Mass.
Verstegen knows his supporting staff including trainers, coaches, nutritionalists and even chefs are what breeds the most success inside the walls of their five locations around the country.
“Our team is absolutely amazing,” he said. “When you look at the amount of attention these athletes get…but still have enough community and group training to be highly inspirational, it’s an amazing dynamic.”
