West Alabama's Jayda Bernard Elevates Her Game By Training At D1 Murfreesboro | D1 Daily

Competing at the collegiate level requires more than just talent. It takes discipline, resilience, and a commitment to continual improvement. For University of West Alabama forward Jayda Bernard, that commitment to improvement has been on full display through her work at D1 Training Murfreesboro.

The jump from high school to college basketball presents new challenges for athletes. Practices are more demanding, seasons are longer, and the level of competition rises. To meet those physical and mental demands, Bernard has embraced training year-round at D1.

Since joining D1 one year ago, Bernard has made training an essential aspect of her development as an athlete. After originally coming to D1 to recover from a meniscus injury, she has quickly found much more than just a place to workout.

“All around everyone is super supportive just helping with my mental and just getting me out of that negative state… and physically they’ve obviously got me ready. I feel more ready than ever and overall it has been a great experience,” Bernard said. 

At D1 Murfreesboro, every workout is designed with a purpose. Whether it’s improving endurance, developing strength, or increasing explosiveness, the training environment pushes athletes to their best potential. For Bernard, who trains with D1 Murfreesboro General Manager Vasey Norfork, workouts are tailored towards movements and exercises that will specifically translate to the court.

“We’ve been working on my endurance and just my overall strength," she said, "trying to get better at that and the coaches have been really helpful with that.” 

Coming off a meniscus injury, Bernard has seen first hand the importance of staying injury free and on the court. Although she has worked on developing her overall strength and endurance, focusing on balance, control, and movements that will keep her injury free has been a point of emphasis while training at D1.

“We try to work on control so that you won’t get hurt often. We work on the basics so that I can stay on the court and in the game,” Bernard said.

Training at D1 has helped her build the confidence in order to stay on the court and develop habits that translate to every aspect of competition.

Over the past year, Bernard has seen improvements in her strength, endurance, and durability, allowing her to feel more prepared for the demands of the college season. The work she puts in at D1 Murfreesboro complements the work she does with her team, making sure that she is ready for whatever challenges come her way.

In her freshman season, Bernard played 10 minutes per game for the Tigers and started 3 games. She notched a season high 22 points against Montevallo late in this past season as she saw her role increase throughout the year.  

As she enters her sophomore season at West Alabama, Bernard knows that development doesn’t stop when the season ends. D1 Training Murfreesboro has helped her stay healthy, maintain strength, and continue to improve as the season approaches.

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.