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Built to believe

Youth athletic training for the Ohio Valley

Level Up Athletics is a nonprofit that gives young athletes great coaching, real facilities, and a clear plan to get better, regardless of background or ability to pay.

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Class schedule

Next classes

Current classes: Legends (ages 8–13). Elite returns January 4.

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  • Legends: Mon & Wed 7–8 PM at The Dog Pound Gym
  • Legends: Tue & Thu 5:30–6:30 PM at Ohio Valley Barbell
1,000+Athlete visits and counting
5Locations across the Ohio Valley
4Classes every week
2024Year founded
Programs

Two programs. One standard.

Training is built around where each athlete is in their development, from first-time movers to high school standouts.

Level Up coaches high-fiving Legends athletes
Ages 8–13

Legends

Our youth program. Movement fundamentals, range of motion, coordination, and explosiveness in a high-energy group setting. Kids learn to move well, build confidence, and have fun doing it.

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Elite athlete training a dumbbell lunge
Ages 14+

Elite

For high school athletes ready to compete at a higher level. Technique, speed, power, and strength development built around the demands of their sport. Elite classes return with the winter program on January 4.

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What every athlete works on

More than workouts

Every program covers the same five foundations, scaled to the athlete’s age.

01

Athletic development

Speed, strength, and power, built for each age.

02

Injury prevention

Mobility and movement quality that keep athletes playing.

03

Nutrition

Simple fueling habits for training, recovery, and growth.

04

Mindset & mentorship

Confidence, discipline, and coaches who invest in every athlete.

05

Testing

Progress measured against research-based standards.

Progress you can measure

Tested against real standards

On test days, every athlete is measured against research-based standards for their age and sex: speed, agility, power, strength, endurance, and movement.

Athletes and families get a short report on what improved and what to work on next.

How we test
51tests across six age groups
350standards by age and sex
65research references
Inside Level Up

See the work

From The Dog Pound Gym, Ohio Valley Barbell, and schools across the Ohio Valley.

Coach and athletes in a team huddleAthlete sprinting through cones at The Dog Pound GymLevel Up athletes and coaches group photoAthlete jumping at Ohio Valley BarbellCoach leading a session at The Dog Pound GymAthlete box jump during trainingLevel Up group photo at The Linsly SchoolAthlete mid-air during a jump drillAthlete jumping during an agility drillCoach with a group of young athletesAthletes doing resistance band drillsYoung athlete skipping during a warm-upAthlete driving a knee during a sprint drillAthlete doing a plyometric push-upCoaches working with young athletesAthlete holding a medicine ballAthletes sprinting during a drillAthlete jumping onto a boxCoach smiling with athletesAthlete in a kettlebell lateral lungeAthlete doing step-up jumpsYoung athletes doing lateral lungesCoach talking with an athleteCoach spotting a dumbbell pressAthlete in an athletic stanceAthlete holding a dumbbell goblet squatCoach leading an outdoor sessionYoung athlete with a medicine ballAthletes running a sprint drillAthletes training on the turfAthletes doing core workCoach spotting a dumbbell bench pressAthlete pushing a sledAthletes in a push-up drillAthletes doing a lateral shuffle drillAthlete working through a floor drillAthlete doing a single-leg balance drillAthlete doing an incline push-upAthletes in a lunge drillAthlete in a single-arm plank rowYoung athlete during a jump drillAthlete in a squat holdCoach guiding an athlete through a drillAthlete pressing dumbbells on a benchYoung athlete in a deep squatAthletes training with platesAthlete doing a bear crawlAthlete jumping onto a boxAthletes doing core work on the turfAthlete jumping during a drillYoung athletes lined up for a drillAthlete in a split squatAthletes stretching on the turfYoung athletes lined up for a drillCoach Cole Smelley coaching an athleteCoach Cole Smelley at a training session
Get involved

Find your place at Level Up

Athletes

Sign up for training. Open to athletes ages 8 and up, in every sport.

Athlete sign up

Teams & schools

Bring a full Level Up program to your team or school.

Team sign up

Coaches

Coach with us and help build a healthier Ohio Valley.

Coach with us

Supporters

Donations fund scholarships, classes, and teams for local kids.

Donate
Community partners

Working with schools and organizations across the Ohio Valley

  • West Liberty University
  • Ohio Valley Barbell
  • The Linsly School
  • The Allen Foundation
  • Wheeling YMCA
  • The Dog Pound Gym

Level Up is an official clinical site for West Liberty University’s Exercise Physiology program.

Contact

Questions? We’re here to help.

Programs, scheduling, team training, or partnerships: email us any time.

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