D1 Founder: Athletic Training Is Now Becoming A Must-Have for Today's Young Athletes | D1 Daily

NEW YORK — As youth sports continue to evolve, athletic training is no longer viewed as an optional supplement. It's becoming an essential part of every athlete's development.

That was one of the key messages shared by D1 Training Founder and CEO Will Bartholomew during the "Youth Sports: The New Fitness Funnel" panel at the 2026 Athletech News Innovation Summit in New York City.

Joined by Samantha Musonda, Brand President of The Little Gym, and Jack Nagle, Principal at Princeton Equity Group, Bartholomew discussed how parents, coaches and young athletes increasingly recognize that success in sports begins with intentional training.

"We would all agree our kids should learn how to read and write," Bartholomew said. "I'd make the same argument for athletic training. If you're playing sports, you should be training. You need to learn how to move, become stronger, run faster and jump higher."

For Bartholomew, that shift has been unfolding throughout D1 Training's more than two decades of helping athletes of all ages prepare for competition and life beyond sports.

Today's Athletes Are Starting Earlier

Since founding D1 Training in 2002, Bartholomew has watched youth athletic development change dramatically.

"When I first opened D1, bringing kids into a structured group training environment was a novel idea," he said. "Today, young athletes know they need training, and parents understand the value of it."

He also noted that professional athletes have helped fuel that shift by openly discussing how strength and performance training played a critical role in their own development.

"The education around training has changed," Bartholomew said. "Kids are hearing from the athletes they look up to, and parents are hearing that message too."

That growing awareness has led more families to seek structured athletic performance programs at younger ages.

Parents Drive The Journey

While the panel focused on youth sports as a "fitness funnel," Bartholomew believes the journey actually begins with parents.

"I don't think the funnel starts with the child," he said. "It starts with the parent."

At D1 Training, educating parents is just as important as coaching athletes.

Parents want opportunities that help their children become healthier, stronger and more confident, Bartholomew explained. Once they understand the benefits of athletic performance training, they're more likely to invest in experiences that support their child's long-term development.

"Parents want their kids to have a better life than they had," he said. "Our job is to educate them about why training matters."

More Than Bigger, Faster and Stronger

While D1 is known for helping athletes improve speed, strength and explosiveness, Bartholomew emphasized that physical performance is only part of the mission.

"From day one, D1 has never just been about getting bigger, faster and stronger," he said. "We're about building character."

That philosophy has been embedded in the company since its founding, with core values such as perseverance, discipline and fearlessness displayed inside every D1 facility.

"People come in because they want to jump higher or run faster," Bartholomew said. "They stay because of the character development."

He believes those lessons ultimately outlast any athletic career.

"My football career ended," Bartholomew told the audience. "The lessons I learned through football—discipline, perseverance, teamwork and accountability—stayed with me. That's what we're really trying to teach kids every day."

The Rise of Personalized Youth Training

Another trend Bartholomew highlighted is the increasing demand for individualized coaching.

"When I started D1, I never imagined parents would pay for one-on-one performance training for a 10-year-old," he said. "Today, they absolutely do."

Parents now arrive with highly specific goals, requesting certain coaches, training times and skill development plans tailored to their young athletes.

For Bartholomew, it's another sign that families increasingly view athletic performance training as an investment in both sports and life.

A Dedicated Training Season

Looking ahead, Bartholomew predicts one of the biggest changes in youth sports will be the normalization of dedicated training seasons.

Today, athletes think in terms of baseball season, football season or basketball season. In the future, he believes every athlete will also have a training season.

"I'm a huge believer in playing multiple sports," Bartholomew said. "I don't believe young athletes should specialize too early."

Instead, he envisions athletes setting aside dedicated weeks each year to improve movement quality, strength, speed and overall athleticism before returning to competition.

"Training won't be optional anymore," he said. "It'll simply be part of being an athlete."

As youth sports continue to evolve, Bartholomew believes one thing will remain constant: athletes who dedicate time to becoming stronger, faster and more resilient will be better prepared for life.

"Sports eventually end," he said. "Character doesn't."

D1 Training is built for the Everyday Athlete—no matter your age or fitness level. Whether you’re looking for personalized coaching through personal training, the energy and accountability of a group fitness class, or a variety of high-impact fitness classes, our expert coaches are here to help you reach your goals. D1 also specializes in youth strength and conditioning, developing young athletes with age-appropriate programming that builds confidence, strength, and long-term success. Wherever you are in your fitness journey, D1 is the place to train.