Today we’d like to introduce you to James Baker.
Thanks for sharing your story with us James. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I graduated from Masconomet Regional High School in Topsfield, MA in 2002. There, I played varsity baseball and basketball and received the Coach’s Award and Scholar Athlete Award in both sports. I was also named to the Cape Ann League All League Team, Cape Ann League All Star Game and the Agganis Shriners All Star Game Sophomore year.
A little more background, I was cut from the baseball program my sophomore year and was told I was too small and needed to get bigger. I used that as motivation to prove the varsity coach wrong and stuck around and helped out the Junior Varsity baseball players- throwing batting practice and being a team manager, until an injury happened to one of the players and I had an opportunity and made the most of it! Junior year, I started on varsity and then by senior year was recruited to play college baseball, in addition to attending a pro showcase camp.
I graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, MA in 2006. There, I played baseball for four years and was the captain during senior year while playing in the 2006 National Championship game in the Division 3 College World Series in Appleton, WI. Also in 2006, I was named to the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All League Team, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All League Team, the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) All-League Team, NEIBA All Star Game held at Fenway Park and the All New England Team. At Wheaton, I was 10-1 in his college career with 10 saves (became a full-time pitcher my Junior Year). As a senior, I was 4-0 with 10 saves and carried a 1.80 ERA. I also played in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) in 2005 for the Mill City All-Americans.
After graduation, I was signed by the Nashua Pride, a professional baseball team in the Can-Am League. With Nashua, I went 3-1 with a 1.82 ERA. After one professional season, I signed with the San Diego Padres and went to minor league spring training in 2007. I also pitched for the North Shore Spirit of the Can-Am League where I posted a 4-1 record and a 1.37 ERA, the Brockton Rox of the Can-Am League for two seasons, the York Revolution of the Atlantic League and the Gary South Shore Railcats of the American Association for two seasons. In 2011, I went 3-1 in 42 appearances with 68 strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA in 49 innings. I finished my career with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association in 2012 after compiling a 2.49 ERA and helping the “Nuts” to the League Championship Series.
Outside of baseball, I graduated from the National Personal Training Institute in 2008 as a certified trainer and nutritional consultant. There, I completed hours of study in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and program development. As a performance training coach, I specializes in functional group training and personal training, athlete training, functional baseball training, corrective exercise and educating clients on proper movement patterns that reduce the chance of injury. I am also a strength and conditioning consultant for the Wheaton College baseball team and the St. John’s Prep (high school) Eagles.
I am the Founder/Owner, Manager and Lead Performance Training Coach of North Shore Performance Training, located inside the Route One SportsPlex building in Danvers, Ma. This gym accommodates athletes, non-athletes, beginners to performance training and workout enthusiasts of all ages and abilities in both individual and group training settings. I enjoy working with clients from ALL backgrounds and take pride in having personal, rewarding relationships with each client. I stress proper technique and the use of the latest functional training and corrective exercise methods in all of the strength and conditioning and group training packages.
In addition to training and managing NSPT, I spend time coaching, motivating and developing baseball players in the Northeast, especially pitchers, from Little League to the professional level. I help young athletes understand the game of baseball by developing and sharpening their physical, mental and emotional frameworks as prospective athletes. I am currently a baseball coach at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, MA and run the sub-varsity program as well as assisting the varsity program.
I am also a pitching coordinator for The Academy AAU baseball program. My pitching lessons focus on the universal fundamentals of pitching, the mental side of the game, situational awareness and biomechanics that create less stress on a pitcher’s arm to create the greatest force in delivering the baseball while also reducing the risk of injury. I am biomechanics certified by the National Pitching Association (NPA).
After retiring from professional baseball, I always knew I wanted to work with younger athletes and give them the best chance to succeed. Building this gym in Danvers, was one of the best things I could have done. I have a passion for helping young athletes reach their full potential on and off the field and giving them the best chance to succeed!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The hardest part about bring North Shore Performance Training (NSPT) to life, was the build out process. Things always take a bit longer than planned, so the launch of our business took some time. From helping knock down walls and demolition, to helping lay down turf and setting up our equipment, it was quite a process! At the end of every day, I always kept the company goals in sight and could see the vision of what this company was going to be!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with North Shore Performance Training – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Train like the pros and achieve personal fitness goals at North Shore Performance Training, the premier performance training gym in the area. Located directly off of Route One and connected to Route One SportsPlex, NSPT offers complete functional training workouts and strength and conditioning programs. Better your mobility, speed and quickness, strength and/or power systems, shoulder function and overall core strength with each workout.
Unparalleled by any other fitness facility in the area, we pride ourselves on personal, rewarding relationships with each client, quality training, proper technique and use of the latest functional training methods. We incorporate variety throughout the workouts to keep the body trained in multiple ways-leaving the body refreshed, energized and re-charged. Most importantly, having a lot of fun and educating clients during their workout experience is our priority.
Whether you are an athlete preparing for the upcoming season, a fitness enthusiast, or a beginner to performance training, NSPT will help you attain personal goals and develop the results you are looking for!
Check out the other tabs on NSPT’s website to learn more about our training philosophy. Come see what we are all about and get in the best shape of your life today!
FUN FACTS- NSPT works with several professional athletes, a Paralympic swimmer who competed in Rio, many Division I, II and III College Athletes and various high school and youth athletes North of Boston. We represent these athletes by hanging up pennants or banners on our recognition wall. NSPT also runs a Commit to Be Fit Challenge with our Adult Group Training program. May of our Commit to Be Fit participants have lost over 30 pounds in a 3 month program! One of our Commit to Be Fit Clients has lost over 95 pounds in one year.
The NSPT Training Model
Every gym goer has their own set of respective weaknesses, imbalances, limitations, postural restrictions and strengths. It is our goal to help each client understand how their body should move and what the necessary steps are to achieve quality movement and personal fitness goals throughout their training development. Below is the typical operations model for each client when they join NSPT.
Consultation
A thorough discussion with each client to better understand their training history and workout routines, sports background, personal goals, medical history and nutrition. We listen first, then explain the benefits of our program and how it can help each client reach their fitness goals.
Movement Screening and Postural Analysis
Each client will perform a mobility and performance analysis assessment on consultation day, specifically designed to identify weaknesses, imbalances, potential future sources of injury and strengths. Following the screening we will discuss findings with each client in order to educate them about their movement patterns. Then, we will discuss programming for each client going forward.
Nutrition Consultation with our Sports Nutritionist, Jules Hindman of Eat Well Perform Well. An additional free nutrition consultation is also offered with our in-house sports nutritionist. At your 60-minute consult, she will discuss diet history, medical history, exercise/training regimen, lifestyle, and personal goals. After getting to know you better, our nutritionist identifies individual benefits of nutritional coaching and how good nutrition can fuel optimal well-being and athletic performance.
Part 1- Monthly Nutrition Consultation
Even during this electronic age, there is nothing that can replace a face to face interaction. Because eating can be personal and may be emotionally charged, it is vital to a person’s success to have an on‐going relationship with someone they can trust. Creating healthy habits that become part of a lifestyle takes time and requires support throughout the process. Having personal access to a professional has been shown to be a key factor of long term continued success. NSPT clients have the opportunity to sit face‐to‐face with our certified sports nutritionist partner, Jules Hindman, on a monthly basis for a 30-minute consultation every month. Jules will be available to NSPT clients Monday-Wednesday.
After an NSPT client fills out a nutritional intake form, the client will meet with nutritionist, Jules Hindman, to discuss goals, schedule, food preferences, lifestyle, activity and current eating habits. On-site advice will be given during the monthly 30-minute session with options to sign up for a custom nutrition program that fits client’s personal needs, goals and sport.
Part 2 – InBody Analysis (included in each monthly visit)
Each InBody Test will print out a full-page results sheet detailing the muscle, fat, and water values of the NSPT client to identify how many pounds of lean mass are in each body segment through Segmental Lean Analysis.
Inbody Analysis will give the NSPT client their weight, body fat, lean functional muscle plus much more. So, no matter their goal, monthly check-ins with Jules will ensure they are heading in the right direction.
Each month, the Inbody machine will chart your progress and a printed Inbody Results Sheet will be provided for each client.
Let the Training Begin! Our Training Models…
Each training session will be a complete and dynamic workout concentrated around corrective exercise, functional training and scripted strength and conditioning programming. Each workout is carefully prepared with different variations for each respective client.
Different Programs….
Athlete Programming is based around a periodization model in which functional training, strength training and power training are used in monthly patterns. This is the most effective way of training athletes to maximize strength, power and speed gains! All Athlete Group Training classes are 1 hour and 30 minutes in length and focus on athlete specific mobility and dynamic warm-up exercises, speed and agility training and either functional, strength or power phase periodization training. These classes can be modified or progressed for each client to make it functional to their ability and sport (each athlete is working out independently and is supervised in a group setting in a coached environment). All workouts also include core strengthening, mobility and stretching exercises and shoulder maintenance work. Every athlete will have their own respective modification or progression for each exercise if necessary. Get the edge you are looking for, compete in a fun and challenging environment and better your athleticism today! (Age 13 and up)
Adult Group Training Model- A group training package for adults who will perform a daily workout scripted by one of our strength coaches. Men and women of all ages and fitness abilities (age 13 and up) will train together in the same session. Each client will have their own modification or progression for each exercise if necessary.
All structured workouts are up-tempo and are 1 hour in length. These workouts will focus on mobility, speed/agility, and either functional strength routines, power and plyometric training and circuit/metabolic training. All workouts include mobility cooldowns and core strengthening routines. A fun and competitive training environment that will push you to your limits!
Youth Fundamentals Training- A group training membership for youth athletes ranging from 8-12 years old. These 45 minute training sessions are offered twice a week and will focus on the building blocks of strength and conditioning: balance, coordination, hand eye-coordination, agility, speed, core strength and bodyweight strength for the upper and lower body. A safe and effective way to promote healthy movement patterns, build a strong foundation and set the tone for athletic development!
Other amenities at NSPT…
At NSPT, we also have Dullea’s Boxing with John Dullea- up-temp and fun boxing workouts built around learning various punches, cardio training, core training and bag training.
BootyBarre- Barre is a fun, energetic, workout that fuses techniques from Dance, Pilates, and Yoga that will tone, define and chisel the whole body. Barre is the perfect combination of strength and flexibility with an added cardiovascular element utilizing the barre. We focus on proper biomechanics for a safe and well-structured class that can be modified for any fitness level. This program is taught by my niece, Alison Dube.
World Class Sports Massage with Janet Miller- whether you are an athlete or adult, Janet offers deep tissue and soft tissue massages. Many of our in-season athletes work with Janet as well as adults who want to work out any tension areas.
NPA (National Pitching Association) Pitching Classes- workouts designed to teach proper throwing warm-up protocols, various bio-mechanics throwing drills and arm speed/strengthening exercises
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I plan to continue building the NSPT model and hopefully expanding in the near future. NSPT trains many of the top baseball athletes (some professionals, college, high school and youth) as well as athletes from other various sports who are looking to make solid changes to their game, from a training perspective but also, nutritionally. We also help with college recruiting and other goal based exercises.
Contact Info:
- Address: 199 Newbury Street, Danvers, Massachusetts
- Website: www.nsperformancetraining.com
- Phone: 978-774-6778
- Email: james@nsperformancetraining.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshoreperformancetraining/
- Other: Testimonials: http://www.nsperformancetraining.com/testimonials
Image Credit:
James Baker, NSPT Owner
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