5 /5 Whitney Townsend: [warning, long detailed review!]
My daughter started going to Pryde Athletics Canton at the end of the summer for training on the recommendation of several other parents and athletes at her club. For context, she just turned 13 and is a gangly 61" volleyball player who is growing into her body :). Her dad and I were both Big Ten athletes (a long time ago...), so while we arent experts, we do know what to look for in training and physical therapy. I also tend to hang out in the front waiting area during her sessions, so Im including my observations with other clients as well. Here are a few things that have really stood out to us about Pryde Canton:
Age & Athlete Appropriate Training
The first thing the Pryde staff did was a full body analysis and intake on my daughter. They fully explained what they were doing, why, and what the results meant for her and for her training. I appreciated the focus on interpreting the results in the context of what our bodies can do, rather than simple things like BMI, body weight, etc that do not give a holistic view of an individual. Their testing also identified several areas of concern for her that I had coming in (but hadnt mentioned to the staff yet), including unbalanced landing, that they were able to specifically address in her training sessions. They have started her appropriately slow (since this is her first time starting a true training program, and she has a less mature body), and have focused on proper form, rest, and stretching before adding weight or speed.
The People
The staff that Ive encountered at Pryde have been, to a person, exceptional. My daughter loves her trainers, and Ive seen them really work to build a connection with her. Its not often that a kid comes out of an intensive training session sweaty and feeling a little like jelly, but with a bigger smile on their face than when they went in! As mentioned above, they have a high level of expertise and I see active mentoring of younger/newer staff. This experience isnt unique to us; I notice that all of the staff seem to have great relationships with their clients/patients, and tailor their sessions to the individual. Desk staff handle the complexity of scheduling with ease and flexibility, and Ive found everyone ready and happy to answer questions.
The Expertise
While all of the staff at Pryde Canton have their appropriate credentialing and experience in their respective areas, I have been extremely impressed by their organizational commitment to professional development and learning more to do better. These are the fun things I overhear while Im reading my book in the front of the facility :). This is an organization that is forward-thinking and always looking for new ways to work with and help people. From "standard" training and physical therapy to Pilates, team workout options, mental training, adaptive athlete training, tailored workout sessions for folks with MS, and more, Ive been astonished by not only the breadth of offerings that Pryde has, but the commitment to quality for each person, each session, each program.
Im so glad that I took other athletes and parents recommendations to check out Pryde Canton when we were looking to get started with training for our daughter. She is receiving a top-notch experience from trainers who take a personal interest in her growth and development. Walking into Pryde feels like family after only a few months. She has visibly gotten stronger, more controlled, and more balanced in her movements without overworking or overloading her still-growing body. If youve made it this far in my review, Im sure you can tell that I am beyond pleased with our experience :). Thank you, Pryde Canton!
