Before coming to BPC I was about 190 pounds and after working with AJ at BPC, I have gotten not only much faster, strong and bigger, but much more structurally sound and overall much more athletic. While working with AJ he pushed me to new levels I never thought were possible. I have gotten much more explosive while being very structurally sound. I increased my playing weight from 195 to 220 pounds and to tip top playing shape. AJ prepared me to be ready for the rigors of a top Division I Lacrosse schedule and the work that is required to put in, while minimizing my risk of injury from weak structure and stability. Working with BPC and AJ has pushed me to new heights I never knew were possible.
Peter Ashmore, Hobart Lacrosse
I began training at Bystol Performance Center two years ago and have noticed each summer the progression in my off-season training. While training hard over the past two summers, I’ve become bigger, faster, and stronger and it has increased my performance on the ice. While playing Junior A Hockey in the British Columbia Hockey League, I noticed how much my summer training was helping me throughout the year. I was able to earn myself a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin to play Division 1 Ice Hockey next season. I can’t thank BPC enough for what I’ve been able to accomplish and what’s ahead for my future. My dream has always been to play professional hockey and I believe BPC will help me make strides to achieve my goal. The atmosphere created by the BPC staff helps athletes like myself feel the need to work hard and push my limits every time I’m there. The new facility is top notch and has all the essentials for athletes looking to become successful as I’m returning for my third summer now. I feel confident moving on in my career each year because of the results BPC has produced for me.
Matt Ustaski, BCHL Langley Rivermen Junior A Hockey, Committed to The University of Wisconsin, 2014
My dream of being an amazing Football player and becoming a Professional Football player has always been my dream. When I came here I was 9 years old, I was weak and not very good at Football. But ever since I started training at BPC I have been exceeding at my level. Brian has helped me begin my future in football and I really thank him for that. He’s helped me become bigger, faster, and stronger than I ever would imagine a kid my age could ever be.
Bryan Bystol, Highland Middle School, Football
I started working out at Bystol Performance Center 4 years ago as a freshman in high school. I was an offensive lineman who got some playing time freshman year. After working out with BPC I got stronger and faster and ended up starting sophomore year through senior year. Since then, Joe has built me up from my original 175 lbs. playing weight to 260 lbs. I credit my improvement as a player to BPC who has kept me injury free the past three seasons. I now move on to play college football at Kenyon College as a left guard and I plan on utilizing my time at BPC whenever I get back from school.
Mike Cullen, Kenyon College, Football
Bystol Performance Center has transformed me into a complete athlete. The knowledge and experience Mike and his staff have, allowed them to identify my strengths and weaknesses and to design proper workout programs to optimize performance. Each week I get bigger, faster and stronger at BPC. I highly recommend BPC for anyone looking to have the extra edge on the competition.
Charles Cook, Lake Forest High School 2 time All-American, Lacrosse
I started training at Poliquin before my freshman year of high school. I weighed 160 lbs. and had little hopes of playing Division 1 football. I am now entering my Junior year in college weighing 240 lbs. playing at a school I have always wanted to go to. Many of my athletic accomplishments are because of Mike Bystol and the rest of the Bystol Performance Staff. BPC is without a doubt the best gym to train at for any athlete or for anyone trying to reach their full potential.
Charles Murphy, College of The Holy Cross, Football
The workouts are made specifically for each individual and that really helps when you have specific areas that need strengthening. I’ve seen my shoulders and back, which are areas I’ve had trouble with, get a lot stronger.
Charles Tillman - Chicago Bears, 11 year Veteran
Thanks to Mike and the BPC staff’s knowledge of training I have been able to maintain my strength throughout the season and get stronger and balanced in the offseason. These two factors have helped me remain relatively injury free since I started training with Mike 6 years ago.
Roberto Garza – Chicago Bears, 12 year Veteran
Mike and his staff have tremendous knowledge and experience with training athletes. They help me get stronger and more explosive each year. All high school, college, or professional athletes should train at BPC. They will take your game to the next level.
Corey Wootton, Chicago Bears, 4 year veteran
Bystol Performance Center has helped me tremendously over the past two years. As of now I’m currently playing Junior A Hockey, soon to become a Division I athlete. In the weight room, I have become bigger, stronger and faster, which has increased my performance on the ice. Being that I have professional hockey ambitions, I believe that BPC will work with me inch by inch until I am able to achieve my goal. Only starting last summer, I saw a dramatic increase in my level of play on the ice and I am now returning for a second summer. I have been pushed beyond my physical and mental limits and will continue to do so for many summers to come.
Matt Ustaski, BCHL Langley Rivermen, Junior A Hockey
Bystol Performance Center provides athletes with an individualized workout that fits their strengths and weaknesses for their particular sport. The BPC experience has provided me with not only the right way to maximize my specialized workout, but also had taught me how to eat the right foods. This I credit to all the success I have had as a 4 year starting pitcher at Illinois State University. BPC knows what it takes to get their athletes to the next level. The trainers push you to achieve your goals. I Highly recommend BPC to any athlete who wants to separate themselves from the rest in their specific sport at their specific position!
Brad Sorkin, Illinois State University, Baseball
I came into the Bystol Performance Center not knowing what to expect. Now approaching my seventh summer under John Sandberg and BPC’s management, I am very confident in the direction I am heading. I have become a much stronger, faster, and more explosive player because of it. I would not be where I am today without the Performance Center.
Matt Lindblad
I am a 55 year old orthopaedic surgeon, handball player and sports junkie. About 6 years ago I started developing minor back issues probably from all the years of performing surgery in an upright position. I tried varying my workouts to help strengthen my back but that did not seem to work. I then tried various yoga, and Pilates instructors and other personal trainers but that did not help either. A patient of mine told me about Bystol Performance Center so I met with the owner Mike Bystol. He did a series of thorough physical evaluation tests on me to determine a client specific workout program and to assign me to the appropriate trainer. I informed Mike that I wanted the best, as I had already been through a litany of other trainers, instructors etc. He assured me he understood and set me up with Brian Thompson. When I met Brian I knew immediately that I was with the right guy. His resume is very impressive. He was an all state football player in the state of Texas and holds the all time record for the 40 for a linebacker, 4.31. He then went on to play at Texas A & M. He is highly trained in sports performance training and is passionate about it. Brian and I immediately hit it off. He got a complete history on me and set up a rigorous program to not only help my back but also get me in the best physical shape possible. Brian is in outstanding physical condition himself which to me speaks volumes as to who is training you. Brain has simply changed my life in the sense that I am much stronger and physically fit. My back issues have virtually disappeared as Brian has addressed them with a scientific approach. I have worked out with him 2-3 times a week for over a year and will continue to do so as long as he is in the Chicago area. I know that Brian also works with many athletes including professional that want to improve their speed. He has an amazing track record with these athletes. Unfortunately my speed days are over, but I wish he were around back in my high school days so that I could have worked with him. I cannot say enough good things about Brian. If you want a demanding, effective trainer who treats you with the respect of a gentleman and gets you the results you are looking for then BPC is your place. They are simply the best!
Steven D. Levin, MD. Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
I could not imagine a better place to have started my journey to the NFL. Mike Bystol and the rest of the staff at BPC literally changed my life. When I started in early December 2012 I was very limited in what I could do physically due to an injury I suffered my Junior year in college. Mike showed me exactly what it took to look like and train like a professional athlete thanks to his extensive experience with countless other professionals. I vowed to take it day by day and that is exactly what mike advised. He eliminated unnecessary motion and slowly corrected my technique in nearly every lift in my workouts. By the time I had completed my training I was in the best shape of my life and could only marvel at what I had accomplished in just three months working with Mike and his staff. Thanks to Mike I was able to compete at the 2013 Senior Bowl, the 2013 NFL Combine and was ultimately drafted 86th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2013 NFL Draft. The level of professionalism at the center is incredible and I was still able to enjoy each day I spent training. I would have to say that working with Mike and his staff is truly an honor and I plan to utilize his abundant knowledge of the human body to further my career in the NFL. I’m definitely looking forward to the next time I get to train with Mike Bystol.
Hugh Thornton - University of Illinois, 2013 Senior Bowl, Indianapolis Colts
Thank you so much for all of the help that you have given me throughout the years. I can still remember the first time walking into Poliquin as a freshman in high school as I was searching for some edge that could help me make a difference at the AAA level. Well thanks to you guys and the rest of the Poliquin staff, I was able to accomplish that and much more by winning a NCAA National Championship with Yale. I would have never been able to experience this if it wasn’t for you guys and for that I am thoroughly grateful. You guys made my dream become a reality.
Thanks so much,
Josh Balch - Yale University, NCCA National Champion, Hockey
Working with Mike at BPC has helped me take my body to a whole new level that has directly translated to my on ice performance. The environment that Mike creates makes you want to work harder and push your body further than you ever thought you could. Everything you do has a purpose and the results are proof of that.
Steve Spinell - Miami University, Hockey
Mike and his BPC staff is the best thing that’s happened to my career. Not only have they improved my strength and overall health, they have also has rehabbed and kept me on the field during the season. I wouldn’t trust anyone else in the business but Mike and his staff. Their knowledge and expertise will keep you in the game.
Jeff King - Arizona Cardinals, 8 year veteran
Since I was 14 years old I have trained under the guidance of the BPC staff. Not only has their influence impacted my play on the field, but also it has completely changed my daily lifestyle. Mike’s seemingly endless knowledge on strength training and overall human well being is remarkable. The lessons I have learned and I continue to learn every time I walk in the door have crafted me into the athlete and the person I am today.
Kyle Ruchim - Northwestern University, Baseball