Looking to give the male and female athletes at Saint Edward’s High School, also known as The Green Wave, a winning advantage, Coach Mike Rolando who coaches football and girls softball, has enlisted Joe Giustino and The Speed School.
“Training to be a competitive state champ doesn’t end when the season is over,” said Coach Rolando. “We saw the tremendous speed, strength and agility results two of our football players in the off-season last year after training with Joe and The Speed School and wanted to offer his expertise and training to the male and female athlete’s in all 13 sports at St. Eds. Joe was willing to work with us to make the training attainable and affordable coming to the Green Wave weight room on Saturday mornings for two ours and charging $15 per child per session. On average 35-40 kids come Saturdays and are always impressed with Joe and how far he can push them to get better.”
Rolando has been at St. Ed’s for five years taking the varsity football program from a 0-9 season to a 6-3 season last year as well as to the first round of the playoffs.
“We made it to the playoffs last year for only the third time in St. Ed’s history and are planning to be there again this year,” Rolando said. “More than football or sports St. Ed’s is about teaching discipline, respect, teamwork and achieving academic excellence. We set our sites higher every year to achieve our goals and know a state championship is in our future. We need to upgrade our training in all sports to be competitive and Joe and The Speed School are helping all our athletes do just that.
Located at 761 N. 17th Street just west of Randall Road in St. Charles, The Speed School, which opened in 2008, is not your typical work out facility. No big screen televisions, no spa services, just Joe Giustino, a 6’2” muscle-clad trainer with 16 years experience as a strength coach and degrees in both exercise physiology and kinesiology.
“The only two athletes from St. Charles East that received full-ride scholarships for football this year trained at The Speed School,” Giustino said. “I’m proud of the work we do here. It’s not just about developing muscle, speed and agility it’s about developing character. I push you so you know when you hit the field or court and your body is telling you you can’t go one step further – you know you can.”
The Speed School offers one-on-one training and group sessions with up to four people as well as private on-site training for larger groups. Giustino currently trains hundreds of athletes, both males and females, in football, soccer, softball, lacrosse, baseball, track, basketball, rugby and mixed martial arts.
“I’m proud to be a part of the St. Ed’s program,” Giustino said. “The entire staff, parents and students are dedicated to making themselves better not only as athletes but as people. And, we’ve seen some terrific results coming out of the weight room. The Green Wave has a bright future.”
The majority of Giustino’s clients are high-school age but he trains athletes as young as 9 and adults in their 50s who want more from their workout.
“Hard work, results and no whining – that’s what I’m about,” said Giustino. “If you’re looking for a latte and massage after 20 minutes on the elliptical, The Speed School is not for you.”
For more information about The Speed School call 630-524-0023 or visit www.thespeedschool.net.