Train Like a Pro: Programming to Develop Your Inner Athlete

When you were a kid, playing sports was everything, and you strived to make that game-winning goal or buzzer-beating shot. Athleticism is something you trained hard for, and it shouldn't stop as you age. Now you can preserve that feeling of exaltation with Train Like a Pro: Programming to Develop Your Inner Athlete.

Renowned strength and conditioning coach Matthew S. Ibrahim equips you with the understanding, the guidance, and all the tools you need to create training programs that mirror those of today's top competitive athletes. Focusing on long-term growth, this book will give you access to training programs for steady progression, taking a whole-body approach to building athleticism and improving performance. While other training systems leave out critical components, this book incorporates the sprint, agility, and mobility work that encompass holistic athletic performance training:

• 132 exercises with modifications
• 4 comprehensive training programs
• 66 warm-up drills

You'll learn about basic training principles, change of direction skills, reactive agility, conditioning, and so much more. You can pick one of the provided programs or use Ibrahim's guidance to build an individualized training program that meets your needs.

Competitive athletes aren't the only ones who want to tap into their athletic potential. Ibrahim knows this, and he's on a mission to help people cultivate body control and feel their very best. The approach he's developed prioritizes not only building strength, power, and speed but also improving the following:

• Joint mobility
• Muscle flexibility
• Stamina
• Endurance
• Conditioning
• Multidirectional movement skills
• Recovery

Simply put, Train Like a Pro takes the guesswork out of developing athleticism. Accessible programs and a holistic approach make this the perfect tool for leveling up your training.

Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.

Author: Matthew S. Ibrahim
Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers
Published: 08/04/2025
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Paperback
ISBN13: 9781718222519
ISBN10: 1718222513
BISAC Categories:
- Health & Fitness | Exercise | Strength Training
- Sports & Recreation | Pool, Billiards, Snooker
- Sports & Recreation | Training

About the Author

Driven by a strong passion for paying it forward, Matthew S. Ibrahim has built his entire career around strength and conditioning--from coaching athletes and mentoring young professionals to educating future leaders in the field. He has held high-level roles, including co-owner, director of strength and conditioning, and internship coordinator, all of which laid the foundation for his current work in higher education. Today, he serves as clinical coordinator and assistant professor of exercise science at Endicott College, where he also advises the Exercise Science Club and The Hidden Opponent, an organization dedicated to student-athlete mental health awareness and wellness. He remains actively involved with Endicott's athletics department as a volunteer strength and conditioning coach and as a faculty consultant. Ibrahim also serves as an adjunct instructor of exercise science and advisory board member at Maryville University.

As the founder of Athletic Performance University (APU), Ibrahim developed a leading educational platform approved for continuing education units (CEU) by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). A sought-after speaker, he has delivered presentations globally--including in Europe and across more than 25 U.S. states--for EXOS at Google, UFC Performance Institute, Stanford University, Duke University, NSCA, and Perform Better. His expertise has been featured in Muscle & Fitness, Men's Journal, Personal Training Quarterly, Science for Sport, and T Nation.

A lifelong learner, Ibrahim holds a PhD in human and sport performance, two master's degrees (sport performance and sport leadership), a bachelor's degree in exercise and health sciences, and a certificate in organizational leadership from Harvard Business School--fueling his strong commitment to growth, development, education, and leadership. He holds the Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) certifications, and he is the Massachusetts state advisory board member for the NSCA. He is currently preparing for the Certified Performance & Sport Scientist (CPSS) credential, further deepening his expertise and ongoing dedication to advancing the profession.