DO YOU NEED TO TAKE EXERCISES TO COMPLETE FAILURE?
The Henneman Size Principle Dr. Henneman’s discovery of the “size principle” in 1957 explains the order in which motor units are recruited. This principle is
THE PROCESS
01
Testing Your Strength
We initiate the process with an all-encompassing evaluation through the use of Proteus Motion. This evaluation assesses and identifies the physiological requirements for enhancing strength and speed in the targeted muscle groups.
02
Collecting Data To Track Progress
At Ascend Perform, we base our approach on empirical evidence. We collect and analyze workout data to determine the effectiveness of our methodology and to identify potential impediments to progress. Our rigorous data-driven approach enables us to monitor your progress accurately and determine when stagnant periods might be looming.
03
Adapting And Adjusting Your Training
Through a series of ongoing observations and customized feedback, we have developed a training methodology that adapts to your changing needs. Our philosophy recognizes the importance of avoiding the formation of dysfunctional movement patterns and utilizing movements that complement your unique anatomical structure. Our approach guarantees that the strength built is not compromised by any maladaptive movements.
TESTIMONIALS
WHAT PAST AND CURRENT ATHLETES HAVE SAID ABOUT ASCEND PERFORM
Chris Grayson helped me get my body preforming at my optimal best after pregnancy. I gained an enormous amount of strength by following his program. He educated me on strength and conditioning in a way that hadn’t been presented to me before and in the gym lives by the Philosophy of Do No Harm. Some trainers want you to push through pain but not Chris. He doesn’t cut corner and is a straight shooter. He will find another alternative for anyones weak spot and target it to make it stronger in a way that won’t hurt. Chris helped lay a foundation for my body that eventually led me to winning a World Championship in the UFC. Chris is an extension of my family, he is a great man, and great friend. If you are ready and looking to get serious about your health then Chris Grayson is the one you are looking for. He is a World Renowned Strength Trainer. The best and low key really funny. I always have a wonderful time training with Chris 🙂
Julianna PenaUFC Bantam Weight Champ 
I’m a 16 yr old junior at Taft high school. I started looking for a trainer when I decided I wanted to play baseball at the college level. Being a high school student I needed to find someone with a flexible schedule. Thankfully I was able to find Chris. I started training with him and only weighed 175. After 7 months I gained 15 pounds of muscle and added 7 miles per hour to my fastball. I really enjoy working out with Chris, he’s easy to train with, he always explained why I was doing exercises and which muscles they strengthen. He also gave me advice on diet and supplements. I can’t say enough about what a great experience it has been training with Chris.
Nick SmithHigh School Baseball Pitcher 
I went to Chris as a college football and basketball player who had ACL reconstruction 12 months prior and was needing to get back strength and functionality I had lost from the surgery. At the time, I wasn't sure if I would really ever be the same again. After 6 months, I was stronger than I had ever been and my reconstructed knee was a complete non issue. Even the little nagging injuries with my shoulders and wrist that I just thought were part of being a college athlete went away with the in depth structural balance assessment Chris did to see where some of my weaknesses were, which we worked on and the pain eventually went away. The principles and ideas he taught me I still use to this day when I write my own programs and do my own training. The knowledge Chris has when it comes to training and nutrition and the way he can break it down in simple terms to general population and young athletes is what makes him so special. Chris is one of the best strength coaches in the country and the people and young athletes of SC are lucky he decided to move there and be right in their backyard. Any coach from a youth or local high school team who needs some assistance with their strength and conditioning program would be missing out on an amazing opportunity to better their team and reaching their unlocked potential by not reaching out to Chris and having their team become bigger, faster, and stronger. I couldn't recommend Chris highly enough to anyone who is in need of some coaching or a parent trying to get their child ready for the next level--whether is high school or college athletics.
Andy BatesCollege Football Wide Receiver 
Chris Grayson is a dedicated trainer who is not just focused on your craft and your results but his which makes him one of the best to get the most out of you! Every little detail matters when you come train at Ascend Perform and you will see results rather quickly with dedication and consistency.
Samuel LimehouseCollege Basketball Player 
If you want REAL results, look no further. When I was playing hockey, I worked with plenty of different trainers, but Chris was by far the best. I knew I needed a trainer to push me in order to get ready to play hockey at the collegiate level and Chris did just that. He provided me with a personalized program, backed with plenty of knowledge, support, and diet advice. My strength increased and I developed healthier eating habits while working with Chris which meant better results on the ice. If you’re willing to put in the work, Chris is more than willing to help you achieve your goals.
Zach LarsonHockey Player 
“Without a doubt the best gym I’ve ever trained at. As an 8-year Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner and competitor, I can honestly say that I’ve never felt more prepared and at my physical peak for BJJ competitions than I have trained at USI under Chris Grayson.”
Antionio GarciaJiu Jitsu Black Belt 
"Last month I completed at the USA Karate National Championships in Greenville, South Carolina. After a seven-year hiatus from karate competition, I won the women’s – 61kg Kumite (sparring) category, which now qualifies me back in the national team pool. While competing in my twenties, I became the most decorated USA female karate athlete and still hold that record. But with seven years of retirement and having two children, I was unsure about my chances of returning to high-performance competition. Chris Grayson has been my strength coach throughout this process and has helped me tremendously to get back into elite athlete condition. I appreciate his knowledge of sports science and trust his recommendations as a coach."
Elisa AuKarate Black Belt 
“I’ve been an athlete in some form for most of my life and starting weight training at a very young age. However, since I began working with Chris I have had my eyes opened to methods I had never been exposed to that produces tremendous results.”
Cliff HagermanMMA Fighter 
“He is the most intelligent, well informed, and possibly most motivated strength and conditioning coach I have ever come across and I cannot think of another business that I can more confidently endorse."
Jaspaul GillMMA Fighter 
"Training strength and conditioning with Chris Grayson really opened my eyes to a lot of things. His way of training is extreme but very effective. I think he has a very good approach to take the maximum out of the athlete."
Goran ReljicMMA Fighter 
"As a personal trainer, former team captain of USA Karate, and now internationally certified coach, I have had the opportunity to work with many top strength and conditioning professionals over the years. I can honestly say that Chris Grayson is at the top of his field. I am always impressed by his extensive knowledge, no-nonsense approach, and ways in which he challenges himself as a professional to continually learn and improve.
I have made great progress training with him over this past year and I highly recommend him to anyone looking for gains in fitness, strength, and conditioning, or overall wellness. Whether you are an elite athlete or simply want to feel good and get healthy, Chris Grayson is your guy."
John FonsecaKarate & Jiu Jitsu Black Belt 
"Chris Grayson is one of the most knowledgeable coaches that I have ever worked with. I have a pretty solid background in fitness and have worked with a lot of different coaches over the years, but without a doubt, Chris is the best.
He has helped me tremendously in preparation for my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments."
Brick WelchJiu Jitsu Competitor 
"I’ve been working with Ascend perform for the last 3 months and my experience working with them has been outstanding. I am currently competing as a pro mixed martial artist out of Washington state and I’m excited to have them in my corner as they have been keeping me on track with my diet, streangth and conditioning and overall fitness. If your looking for professional knowledge about diet or strength the conditioning you gotta check out Ascend perform."
Brandon AltomareProfessional MMA Fighter 
The facility is great and Chris is such a great trainer and he wants what’s best for you and your body and he always treats clients very well. Ascend perform feels like a second home to me.
TRE WASHINGTONCOLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER 
Three months after having my second child, I had the privilege of training with Chris Grayson.
He definitely knows what he is doing!
After two months of training with him three times a week I saw results I was never able to achieve on my own.
I never imagined having a six pack 5 months after having a baby!
He is a great person, very knowledgeable and has amazing nutrition advice that if you follow, will help you keep those pounds off even after you stop training with him.
He guides you during the workouts, he gives you nutrition advice, but at the end of the day, as I read on one of his videos; Results are not guaranteed… They are earned!!!
It gives me great satisfaction to contemplate my reflection in the mirror and to know that what I see is the result of my dedication, hard work and the great advice of Chris Grayson.
VERONICA MAYORGAJIU JITSU BLACK BELT & COMPETITOR 
When it comes to strength and conditioning specific to any sport, there is no one in the Chicago land area I trust as much as Chris Grayson. He has been my on-call trainer and nutritionist for the past two months. His data driven and evidence based programs are what made me seek this investment. The virtual training administered through his Push app, allows me to track my weekly progress and keeps me accountable. Coach Graysons feedback and check-ins are only a text, video and phone call away. I was lucky to have trained with him in person during my jiu jitsu journey years back and am grateful to have him supplement my health, my wife’s health and my muay thai career.
EDDIE ROMANMUAY TAI COACH & HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR 
Head trainer Chris Grayson is all about results. I have had the pleasure of learning from Chris when he was based in Chicago and as a head coach of a Jiu Jitsu school, I have sent countless athletes to Chris to improve their upon their strength and conditioning with great results! I highly recommend Ascend for your fitness goals 👍👍
ADEM REDZOVICJIU JITSU BLACK BELT & COMPETITOR 
Chris Grayson is the most knowledgeable strength coach I've ever went to! He asks you what sports you are training for (if any) and your fitness goals and he gets you to work. He makes it a science and you can tell he knows what he's talking about. On top of that he is himself a great guy and the environment of his gym is top notch. Best gym experience I've ever had with Chris Grayson at Ascend Perform.
IBRO KRIZEVACJIU JITSU BLACK BELT & COMPETITOR 
"I’ve had the opportunity to train with Chris Grayson on many occasions over the years. My goals at times change as do my reasons for training. Either way, I always turn to Chris. You can join a gym and self-diagnosis by yourself or with your buddy who probably holds a degree in the fastest way to get injured. I chose to seek out Chris, a true professional and train with PURPOSE. Chris’ workouts are customized to your specific goals. No cookie cutter workouts that “work” for everyone.
Overall I have an enormous trust in Chris and his knowledge. I highly recommend him to anyone who’s serious about setting some goals and seeing them through."
ANDRES ARIASJIU JITSU BLACK BELT & COMPETITOR 
"Chris is one, if not the most, knowledgeable fitness coach I’ve ever had. He will certainly push you, create a personalized plan for you, teach you everything you need to know to do the exercise correctly, and he tracks every single thing. Which helps with your progress tremendously.
As 23 years of experience Karate practitioner and Martial Artists, I cannot stress enough the importance of a plan. With Chris, each workout will be planned out and saved to keep track of your progress. Because YOU WILL SEE PROGRESS!"
JAIME GAMBOAKARATE BLACK BELT & COMPETITOR 
“Chris’ passion for exercise and healthy living is contagious. I have trained elsewhere and have never encountered an individual with a greater knowledge of fitness.”
JEFF TAYLORJIU JITSU BLACK BELT AND COMPETITOR 
"I began training with Chris after I started getting into the jiu-jitsu competition world, and wanted to get that extra push that could take me to the top. Since training with him, I have ranked in multiple high-level tournaments and have seen my athletic ability climb to its full potential.
I cannot give Chris enough credit for the knowledge, effort, and awesome program designs that he has put together for me and other clients. I have seen tremendous gains in my strength, conditioning, and physique since I started training with him."
JOHN JONESJIU JITSU COMPETITOR 
"Chris Grayson has assisted with my strength training on and off over the past couple years. I wish my schedule allowed me to see him more frequently. The workouts are challenging, always have a good variety so you do not get bored, and it is amazing how fast you will see results if you put in your part. The best part is that your workouts are tailored to your goals and physical restrictions. As a grappling enthusiast, it is always nice to have your training partners comment on noticeable elevations in your strength."
ANTHONY KALINAJIU JITSU BLACK BELT & COMPETITOR 
“I trained with Chris to prepare for a jiu-jitsu tournament. I have to admit, I thought I was in decent shape, but training with Chris allowed me to take my conditioning to the next level.”
MARCIN SIKORAJIU JITSU COMPETITOR 
I have been training with Chris remotely and have been very happy with the results and what I am learning from him. His workouts don't wreck my body, so I can still do the other things needed to be a MMA competitor and coach. He is precise with what he has me do and I can see and feel the difference over the past several months working with him. I am excited to see how his help will effect my performance in my next bout!
DREW BROKENSHIREPRO MMA ATHLETE 
Previous
Next
FILL OUT THE FORM
ATHLETE Training
A more comprehensive strength assessment is performed. We also look at the strength qualities and energy systems involved in your sport and create an appropriate periodized program so you peak for the season or the athletic event.
Answer a few simple questions to take your athletic training to the next level!
READ THIS
WHAT SUPPLEMENTS DO YOU NEED?
To be at your best, taking supplements is crucial. Nowadays, being average won’t cut it. However, it’s important to remember that the supplement market is
YOUR SHOES ARE MAKING YOUR FEET WEAK
When I’m not training people at my gym I am spending a considerable amount of time studying, whether that’s from books, videos, podcasts, webinars, seminars,
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS for ATHLETES
At Ascend Perform, we are dedicated to helping athletes enhance their abilities and achieve their highest potential, allowing them to excel in their sport. Our training methods are grounded in science, and we prioritize a well-rounded approach to athletic performance, encompassing endurance, explosiveness, strength, speed, stability, and mobility. Our coaching focuses on the specific and individual needs of each athlete, utilizing our thorough and comprehensive performance assessments. With more than 20 years of experience in program design and athletic development, we have a proven track record of delivering exceptional results. At Ascend Perform, we offer the expertise and resources you need to take your athleticism to the next level.
At our facility, we prioritize the demands of sport and tailor our approach to each athlete’s unique needs. To determine areas for improvement, we conduct thorough assessments, including a force-velocity profile using our advanced Proteus Motion device. This screening helps us identify whether an athlete requires increased strength, power, or speed and reveals any imbalances that may exist throughout the body. Prioritizing balance throughout the body is key to preventing injuries and optimizing performance. Additionally, we assess an athlete’s stability and mobility to determine areas that require additional attention. Our ultimate goal is to maximize our athlete’s training potential by targeting areas that will provide the most substantial return on investment.
We at Ascend Perform believe that in order for athletes to reach their true potential, their nutritional needs must match the demands of their training. We work with athletes to understand their current habits and help them build sustainable new ones to achieve results. Our philosophy is based on fundamentals for nutrition, and we don’t subscribe to fad diets. Instead, we focus on creating sustainable dietary changes that athletes can maintain in the long run. To this end, we have created the Essential Guide to Nutrition Principles book, which is an excellent resource for anyone looking to fine-tune their nutritional plans. We also use a nutrition app to help with grocery shopping and provide guidance on what foods to eat and avoid. Our goal is to help athletes achieve optimal results in their performance by tailoring a nutritional plan that is perfect for them.
Typically, our training sessions last between 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Our training approach is not rigidly time-based as scientific evidence has demonstrated that extended training sessions lead to an increase in stress hormones with a corresponding decrease in anabolic hormones. Therefore, we always strive to maximize the effectiveness of our training, and avoid counterproductivity by keeping our sessions to a reasonable length.
- Results really vary from person to person. Some things that will determine this are:
- your frequency and commitment to training (try not to miss workouts).
- If you make any necessary changes to your diet (example: hitting your daily protein goals.)
I can guarantee you will get significantly stronger, faster, and more explosive but I can’t tell you specifics for you. I can promise you that we can prove results with data and you will see big improvements.
“I’m a 16 yr old junior at Taft high school. I started looking for a trainer when I decided I wanted to play baseball at the college level. Being a high school student I needed to find someone with a flexible schedule. Thankfully I was able to find Chris. I started training with him and only weighed 175. After 7 months I gained 15 pounds of muscle and added 7 miles per hour to my fastball. I really enjoy working out with Chris, he’s easy to train with, he always explained why I was doing exercises and which muscles they strengthen. He also gave me advice on diet and supplements. I can’t say enough about what a great experience it has been training with Chris.”
Nick Smith – High School Baseball Pitcher
We’re by appointment only but we’re willing to work from:
6am – 9pm Monday – Friday
7am – 1pm Saturday.
We’re closed on Sunday.
Most athletes are probably going to train after school when it’s in session. I like to reserve anywhere from 3-5pm for athletes to train. This time slot would be solely for athletes.
THERE IS NO CONTRACT.
If we don’t get you results we really couldn’t blame you for wanting to leave.
Yes we do!
We use health practitioner brands Designs For Health and Thorne. These brands have the highest standards in purity and efficacy such as GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and NSF Certified for Athletes. We also offer specific tests to provide assurance in what you need such as Metabolomics Spotlight, Genomic Spotlight, and GI Spotlight from Designs For Health.
