Jay and Nikki McCareins opened Mac Speed & Strength in Plano last month.[/caption]

Plano resident and former NFL player Jay McCareins opened athletic training facility Mac Speed & Strength last month to help train young athletes.

Located at 3645 Dallas Parkway, Ste. 599, in Plano, the gym offers 60-minute training sessions for children and adults. A certified speed and agility instructor, Jay, along with his wife, Nikki, and longtime friend Jerome Collins—also a former NFL player—specializes in improving one’s agility and full body strength. Training sessions consist of various drills that work to enhance performance for athletes of all sports, from soccer and track to bodybuilding and lacrosse.

A former NFL player for the Arizona Cardinals, Jay met a few of his younger clients through coaching local football teams. Providing the extra training for children who participate in sports can increase his or her self-confidence, Nikki said. Practicing the fundamentals can also help prevent injuries, such as torn ACLs, she said.

“Jay was overlooked throughout high school and was told he wouldn’t be a top college athlete,” Nikki said. “There are so many kids who, at a young age are brushed aside because they aren’t big enough. These kids just need a little attention and grooming, and it should be fun too.”

Jay said he enjoys sharing his experience as an athlete with children because he knows the pressures they feel. He hopes to add more instructors to help many more adults and children overcome personal setbacks and make the most out of physical fitness as they grow into a competitive athlete.

“It’s a reminder of how fun sports are,” he said.

For more information about Mac Speed & Strength, call 972-378-3929 or visit www.macspeedandstrength.com.