01
Strength, power and speed
Structured, evidence-based programming to build explosive power, speed and stamina, combining functional strength work, sport-specific drills and conditioning for endurance and agility.
Strength and Conditioning in Solihull
Elite performance training for athletes and active people, with sport-specific programmes, performance testing and coaches from professional football.
Our elite performance training and strength and conditioning service helps athletes get stronger, faster and more resilient. It is led by our Lead Performance Coach, Oli Lowe, who currently works with players at Birmingham City FC and holds a Master's degree in Sports Science, with the support of our Clinical Director, Dave Hunt, a physiotherapist, certified Sports Scientist and strength and conditioning specialist with 17 years of experience in elite sport.
Whether you are competing at a high level or simply want to train like an athlete, your programme is built around your sport, your position and your physical profile, and delivered in our performance gym in Earlswood, Solihull.
Who strength and conditioning is for
Strength and conditioning suits anyone who wants their training to carry over into better performance. We work with:
- Footballers and team sport players
- Academy and aspiring professional athletes
- Endurance athletes preparing for an event
- Athletes returning to sport after injury
- Competitive amateurs training around work
- Anyone who wants to train like an athlete
Young athletes have their own dedicated youth performance training programme, designed around growing bodies.
What our programmes cover
Every programme is individual, but most combine three areas of focus.
02
Recover and rebuild
Rehabilitation-informed training that helps you move safely from injury back into sport, bridging the gap between finishing rehab and being ready to perform.
03
Prepare for competition
Periodised, sport-specific plans designed to have you in the best possible shape for key fixtures and events, with your progress monitored along the way.
How we coach
01
Assess
We start with your sport, training history, injuries and goals, and use performance testing to build an objective picture of where you are now.
02
Plan
Your coach builds a periodised, sport-specific programme around your season or event and the time you have to train.
03
Coach
Sessions are coached in our bespoke gym, with the emphasis on quality movement and steady, measurable progress.
04
Monitor
Progress is tracked with tools such as force plate testing, so your programme can be adjusted as you improve.
Performance technology and data-led coaching
Our coaches use performance technology to take the guesswork out of training. Oli uses VALD ForceDecks to measure strength, power and balance between your left and right sides.
Testing gives you a clear baseline and shows how you are progressing over time. You can read more about how force plate testing works in our article on VALD ForceDecks and smarter recovery.
From rehabilitation to performance
Injury prevention and recovery are built into how we train. Safe training practices and evidence-based techniques help you keep training consistently, and physiotherapy support is available on site if you need it.
If you are coming back from injury, our physiotherapists and performance coaches work under the same roof, so the move from rehabilitation into full training can be planned together. Recovery support such as sports massage is also available.
Meet the performance team
Performance Team
Oli Lowe, our Lead Performance Coach, is a UKSCA accredited Strength & Conditioning Coach who currently works with players at Birmingham City FC, with previous roles at Swindon Town FC and Cardiff City FC. He holds a Master's degree in Sports Science.
Dave Hunt, our Clinical Director, has 17 years of experience working in elite sport, including over a decade at Birmingham City FC with time in the Premier League. As well as being a physiotherapist, he is a certified Sports Scientist and strength and conditioning specialist.
Why choose Ascension for strength and conditioning?
Coaches with professional football club experience
UKSCA accredited lead coach
Physiotherapist and S&C specialist on the team
Sport-specific, periodised programmes
Performance testing including VALD ForceDecks
Physiotherapy support under the same roof
Bespoke performance gym
Based in Earlswood, Solihull
Strength and conditioning questions
Do I need to be an elite athlete?
No. Our programmes are designed for athletes, but you do not need to be competing at a professional level. We coach academy players, amateur athletes and people who simply want to train like an athlete, and every programme is matched to your current level.
What is the difference between strength and conditioning and personal training?
Strength and conditioning is performance focused, preparing you for the physical demands of a specific sport through strength, power, speed and conditioning work. Personal training focuses on your own health and fitness goals, such as building strength, losing weight or improving general fitness.
Can strength and conditioning help me return from injury?
It can be an important part of getting back to sport. Rehabilitation-informed training helps bridge the gap between recovering from an injury and being ready to perform. If you are still in the early stages of an injury, we may recommend starting with our physiotherapy team so your rehabilitation and training are joined up.
Do you use performance testing?
Yes. Our coaches use performance technology, including VALD ForceDecks, to measure strength, power and differences between your left and right sides. This gives you a clear starting point and helps track your progress.
Do you work with young athletes?
Yes. We run a dedicated youth performance training programme, designed around the needs of growing bodies and long-term athletic development.
How do I book?
You can book online, call us on 01564 637 358 or send a message through our contact page.
Start training like an athlete
Whether you are preparing for a season, returning from injury or chasing a personal best, book a consultation at our Earlswood performance gym.
Recognised By
