Before the whistle blows, Madison athletes are already putting in the work at Quantum Movement. By mixing science, technology and coaching, Quantum develops ‘elite movers’ who are prepared to succeed both on and off the field.
Starting with the fundamentals, Quantum trainers are dedicated toward helping athletes understand the purpose behind each exercise. They begin by teaching athletes the basic mechanics, such as decelerating and changing direction, then work to strengthen specific movement patterns.
“Quantum is the bridge between the field or court and the weight room; we approach performance a bit differently than many traditional programs,” Quantum Director of Performance Marika Korpinen said. “A big part of that process is helping athletes connect with their intrinsic motivation.”
Tailoring each training session to the athlete’s needs and goals, Quantum’s overall mission is to teach athletes how to master the manipulation of their centers of mass. Quantum uses advanced technology, such as force plates and time gates, and a data-driven approach to identifying areas for improvement. After recording this information, trainers work with the athletes to correct and enhance their skills.
“[I have made] so much progress in my strength and agility,” varsity softball outfielder and first baseman Giuliana Hughes (’28) said. “Quantum has also helped me reduce and prevent injuries by learning the proper mechanics for an exercise. When I started at Quantum I could really only squat around 20lb plates on both sides with proper form, but now I can do 165+ pounds with proper form.”
Aspiring to play at a collegiate level, Hughes trains at Quantum twice a week with Korpinen. Since beginning her training, Hughes has increased her “exit velo”–her ball speed off bat–by 20 miles per hour, and her overhand throw by 12 miles per hour.
In addition to improving performance, Quantum is known for its energetic and supportive atmosphere, where athletes feel motivated, confident and excited to train. Coupled with their hard work, Quantum athletes succeed because of the connections forged with their trainers.
“The environment at Quantum is like no other,” Hughes said. “Every trainer there will hype you up during your workout, making it such a fun place to be.”
As a former Division I basketball player at George Mason University and a current D.C. Shadow player in the Premier Ultimate Frisbee League, Korpinen understands the demands of high level performance. By tapping into what drives her and reflecting on her past experiences, she builds genuine relationships with the athletes she trains.
“I believe in leading by example,” Korpinen said. “It’s a privilege to push yourself and get to do hard things. If I’m asking my athletes to take on challenges that are uncomfortable, physically demanding or even a little scary, I need to have experienced those feelings myself.”
The camaraderie at Quantum carries into group training sessions: programs in which many varsity teams have found great success. Quantum Movement collaborates with the football, basketball and girls lacrosse teams, to name a few, to strengthen performance and rapport across the team.
“I have participated in other training programs, but I think Quantum sets themselves apart,” varsity boy’s basketball forward Yianni Gougoufkas (’27) said. “They are very detail oriented and push us to do our best.”
Through their consistent efforts training at Quantum, this past offseason, numerous athletes in the boys basketball and girls lacrosse programs reached new personal bests in the weight room. By cheering on and pushing one another, the teams are confident heading into the spring season.
“One of my all-time highlights has been helping the majority of our girls’ lacrosse athletes achieve their first chin-ups while improving their change-of-direction mechanics and overall performance,” Korpinen said. “I love working with that team.”
For many athletes in the Vienna community, Quantum Movement has become a place where hard work and confidence come together to build success that will go beyond just the field or court.
“Across the board, I consistently see improvements in performance, but what I love most is the increased confidence my athletes develop,” Korpinen said.
