Pete Tormey, John Muse & Steve Cisheck

By: T.M. Murphy, May 6, 2015

I wish I could tell you that I met Pete Tormey of Athletic Performance Training while performing a “gun show” at the gym, but our Cape Cod Pulse readers would know I had dipped into my first love – fiction writing.

The truth is I had popped into the Quahog Republic Dive Bar one cold winter’s night in search of some hot chowder and a frosty beverage. I had just hung up with my brother, Seton, after talking about his idea of starting a wiffle ball tournament as a thank you to local restaurants and businesses who had supported our co-authored and locally-inspired novel, The Running Waves, which is laden with wiffle ball scenes.

Seton and I wanted to stage a tournament on a Monday so those restaurants and businesses could have a day of fun before the summer craziness began. We also wanted to team up with like-minded people, so I chatted with the owners of the Quahog, who told me they had just formed a scholarship for Falmouth High School seniors. Since Seton and I both graduated from FHS, this seemed like a natural collaboration.

My conversation with one of the owners of the Quahog took on greater steam when the tall
guy eating dinner at the next stool told me that he, too had been thinking of planning a
wiffle ball tournament.

Within ten minutes I felt I had known Pete Tormey my whole life and the Silver Shores Wiffle
Ball Tournament was born.

At 9 a.m. on June 8th the fifth annual tourney will be played directly behind the Quahog Republic.

When you read below you’ll understand why the team representing Athletic Performance Training will be heavy favorites once again. But the guy with the BB guns for arms will be on The Running Waves, the defending championship team. Nothing like a little smack talk to get the ball rolling.

1. Give our Cape Cod Pulse readers your background and how you started APT.

After finishing professional hockey in 2007, I became a strength and conditioning coach. One of the first people I reached out to was Paul Moore. I always wanted to start a strength and conditioning facility on the Cape, but the timing was off for me personally.

Five years into my career as a strength and conditioning coach, Paul contacted me about the opportunity to start a performance center in the new Falmouth Ice Arena.

After many conversations with Paul and my family, we decided to sell our house in Hanover and move to Falmouth full-time.

APT stands for Athletic Performance Training, but are also my initials: Peter Andrew Tormey. I created the logo and the website myself. I created APT to give back to the community and all the great coaches in youth sports. If it weren’t for their sacrificing many hours of their free time, I would never have become a professional athlete. APT not only prepares each athlete to succeed at the next level, but puts a strong emphasis on academics, community, and family.

2. What types of courses does APT offer?

APT fitness programs are for all skill levels from beginner to elite. APT utilizes a comprehensive training philosophy, which follows a movement-based approach to improving athletic development. We specialize in athletic training, youth training, adult fitness, semi-private training, and personal training. Our programs are for ages 8 to 85.

3. When should a young person begin training?

APT has a Youth FUNdamental program for kids 8 to 11. A common emerging trend with many youth organizations is the demand for youth development that improves functional movement and functional performance (speed, conditioning, power, and agility). APT creates training programs that emphasize body awareness and control that can be utilized in all sports. The number one priority is to have fun and learn in a safe environment.

4. Who are some of the professional athletes that have trained at APT?

Last summer the Florida Panthers utilized my expertise in strength training by flying me down to their Development Camp in July. I was the team’s head strength coach, responsible for all of the Panthers’ movement and performance testing, nutrition, and day-to-day strength training workouts. I had the chance to work with Aaron Ekblaud the number one overall pick in the 2014 draft and top three players in the NHL for rookie of the year.

Last summer APT trained 12 NHL players: Erik Gudbranson, Alex Petrovic, Bobby Butler, Quinton Howden, Connor Brickley, Ryan Whitney, John Muse, Nick Petrecki, Dan Carr, Mark Frazer, Keith Yandle & Garrett Wilson. 15 to 20 NHL players are expected this coming summer.

Florida Marlins pitcher Steve Cischek, an FHS graduate, trains at APT when he’s home in Falmouth. I’m also excited to announce that APT will be the strength and conditioning coach for the Falmouth Commodores.

5. What kind of advice would you give a person who is considering getting off the couch and training?

Whether you are an athlete looking to get stronger in the off-season or an adult looking to get back into a training regimen, you should have a strength coach perform an assessment. The assessment process should include, but not be limited to: a medical history, movement assessment, ranges of motion assessment, and performance evaluation.

A strength coach’s primary responsibility is to implement a safe, well-designed strength- training regimen. He or she should be able to regress and progress exercises to meet the client’s specific needs. To do so requires a comprehensive understanding of the client’s medical history as well as any limitations and goals. A well-designed strength-training program is only as good as the assessment process.

Bonus question – When you want to get out of the gym, where on Cape Cod do you like to train?

I hop on my bike and ride down to Woods Hole on the bike path or cruise through the Heights. This allows me to take in some fresh air, clear my head and enjoy all of the beautiful scenery the Cape has to offer.