D1 Training, Pure Athlete Unite on Youth Sports Content
Demand for youth athletic development is growing. D1 and Pure Athlete are teaming up to deliver pro-level training insights to families navigating the youth sports journey
Pure Athlete, a rising youth sports podcast and content platform, has teamed up national fitness and training franchise D1 Training to bring performance-driven strength and conditioning guidance to members of its premium content tier, PA+.
The move comes as interest in youth sports development grows, with parents seeking more structured, long-term guidance for their young athletes.
D1 Training, founded by former NFL player Will Bartholomew, operates more than 145 locations nationwide and is known for its 5-Star Training Program, which touts more than 30,000 youth and adult athletes.
“D1 Training has built a national reputation for training young athletes the right way,” Pure Athlete podcast co-host and former MLB outfielder Jeff Francoeur said. “Their focus on whole-body training and long-term development, not shortcuts or fads, aligns perfectly with our mission to support young athletes in a healthy and sustainable way.”
For its part, D1 offers group, semi-private and one-on-one training through a series of age-based programs – Rookie, Developmental, Prep and D1 Adult – modeled after Division I collegiate protocols. The fitness brand says it has helped develop more than 100 NFL Draft picks and thousands of college scholarship athletes.
“Pure Athlete is a refreshing voice in the world of youth athletics, Bartholomew said. “D1 is proud to partner with PA in an effort to educate athletes of all ages and help them reach their goals.”
D1’s age-specific training approach will be folded into PA+’s expanding content library, which includes micro-lessons on topics such as mental health, nutrition, sport-specific skills and parenting in youth athletics. To launch the collaboration, Pure Athlete is releasing a podcast episode featuring Bartholomew, who reflects on his athletic career, his experience raising young athletes and the philosophy behind D1’s development model.
Earlier this year, D1 Training acquired Strive Village, a chain of private training facilities in the Chicago area, and hired former F45 executive Elliot Capner,