In the early 2010s, SPECTRUM’s Will Hitzelberger was leading Strength & Conditioning efforts at Rollins College when he stumbled upon an old Vertimax system gathering dust in the volleyball team’s storage closet. Intrigued, he borrowed it with permission from the volleyball coach, unaware of how significant this moment would become in his career. Years later, Hitzelberger would play a pivotal role in Vertimax’s global growth and educational initiatives.
Vertimax is renowned as the world’s most effective vertical jump training system, but its story took an ironic twist. In 2014, Hitzelberger’s former employer in Tampa, Jodie Johnson, became the Director of Sports Science for Vertimax. At the time, SPECTRUM was designing its state-of-the-art performance center, searching for innovative equipment to align with its movement-focused training philosophy. This was when Vertimax launched the revolutionary Raptor—a device offering resistance for any movement with 360-degree rotation over 20 yards.
SPECTRUM recognized the Raptor’s potential and became an early adopter, installing five Raptors on a wall, creating the first setup of its kind worldwide. This unique installation allowed for large-group and team training, further solidifying SPECTRUM’s reputation for innovation in sports performance.
This partnership sparked deeper conversations with Vertimax. During their nationwide tours of training facilities, Vertimax uncovered a recurring issue: their systems were often left unused in closets. Coaches and trainers struggled to integrate the technology into their programs. Identifying a need for education, Vertimax developed the Vertimax Certification Program, designed to teach athletes, coaches, and parents how to utilize the technology, integrate it into various training settings, and program effectively with it.
To launch this initiative, Vertimax sought out industry leaders to form a team of Master Trainers who could lead the certification effort. In 2018, Hitzelberger joined a select group of about 10 Master Trainers, helping finalize and deliver the program. Over the years, these trainers hosted certification courses at their own facilities and traveled across the country to educate others. Additionally, Vertimax organized an annual summit in Tampa, featuring guest speakers and Master Trainers to promote knowledge sharing and innovation.
In 2023, Hitzelberger took on an even larger role as a Vertimax Ambassador, creating and delivering monthly content for Vertimax’s media platforms. His contributions continue to influence the athletic performance industry, helping coaches, athletes, and trainers maximize the potential of Vertimax technology.
What started as a forgotten piece of equipment in a closet became a defining chapter in Hitzelberger’s journey—and a testament to SPECTRUM’s commitment to innovation and leadership in athletic performance.
