About Us

Axis Sport Performance has been training athletes in Howard County since 2004. Our mission is to provide professional quality strength and conditioning to athletes and adults of all ages and skill levels.

Axis’ state of the art 9,000 square foot facility is designed to maximize efficiency and includes:

  • 3 lane, 35 yard mondo track with electronic timing system
  • 3,000 square feet of turf
  • Large 1,000 square foot waiting room with couches and tables for parents
  • 4 Custom Olympic weightlifting platforms with 15kg and 20kg weightlifting bars and bumper plates
  • 3 Power racks
  • 2 Phantom 55′ batting cages with L screens
  • 2 70′ pitching tunnels with pitching mounds for baseball and pitching mats for softball
  • An assortment of medicine balls, stability balls, bands, battle ropes, and other training tools
  • Changing rooms with showers
  • 2 Portable Rogue Squat Stands
  • 15 Pound training bars for youth athletes
  • Dumbbells from 5-100 pounds
  • 2 Sets of foam plyo boxes
  • 2 Vertimax vertical jump trainers
Axis also shares space with True Sports Physical Therapy.
9,000 square feet of space
1,000 square foot waiting room
Reception area with visibility into gym
3,000 square feet of turf
4 Platforms and power racks
35 yard, 3 lane Mondo track
4 Assault bikes with view of waiting room

Our Staff

Matt McManus
• Owner
Matt McManus has over 15 years of experience as a strength and conditioning coach, including five at the Division 1 college level. Before coming to Axis he was an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Maryland, where he oversaw the strength and conditioning programs for women’s soccer, softball, and women’s tennis while assisting with men’s lacrosse and volleyball.
Before coming to Maryland Matt worked at the University of Michigan for a year, where he assisted with all of the Wolverines’ 27 Olympic Sports.
Prior to Michigan, he worked as a Graduate Assistant Strength Coach at Utah State University and as an intern at Arizona State. At Utah State he designed and implemented programs for men’s and women’s track and field, cross country, women’s soccer, gymnastics, and golf, while assisting with football, men’s and women’s basketball, softball, and volleyball.
Throughout his career Matt has worked with numerous All-Conference and All-American athletes, as well as notable professional athletes James Harden, Bobby Wagner, Tim Hardaway Jr., Glenn Robinson III, and Trey Burke. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Movement Science from Michigan in 2008 and his Master’s in Health and Human Movement from Utah State in 2010. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA and a Level 1 Sports Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting. Matt has also competed in powerlifting and weightlifting since 2007. He placed first at the USA Powerlifting Arizona State Championships in 2008 and the American Powerlifting Federation Utah State Championships in 2010 and is the former USAPL junior state record holder in the squat in Michigan.
James Rooths
• Assistant Coach
James Rooths is in his second stint with Axis after initially working as a full-time assistant from 2008-2012. In 2012 James left Axis for a yearlong Strength and Conditioning Consultant position with the Baltimore Ravens, where he won a Super Bowl.
Following his time with the Ravens James worked as the Cornerbacks Coach for McDaniel College in 2014-15 before returning to Axis in a part-time coaching role in 2016.
James graduated from Shepherd University in 2000, where he was a four-year starter on the football team and three-time first team All American. Following his college career, he played in the NFL for the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2000-2003 before serving as an assistant defensive backs and strength and conditioning coach for the Frankfort Galaxy of NFL Europe. James was inducted into the Shepherd University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.
Casey Schuler
• Assistant Coach
Casey Schuler joined Axis in June 2024 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Towson University. Prior to Axis, Casey completed internships with Towson’s Strength and Conditioning department and at Absolute Sports Performance in Edgewood, Maryland. Casey is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA and is currently pursuing her master’s degree.
Taylor Hose
• Assistant Coach
Taylor Hose joined Axis in September 2024. Taylor has five years of experience working with athletes of
all ages at two different training facilities in Maryland. He graduated from Salisbury University with a
bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
through the NSCA.
Partnerships

True Sports Physical Therapy

True Sports Physical Therapy specializes in sports rehabilitation and understands the unique needs of every athlete looking for the best care. Our focus on the principles of sports medicine and our years of rehabilitating patients experiencing a wide range of injuries and ailments allow us to offer a level of service unparalleled in Baltimore, Maryland area. Whether your current goal is to get back to your sport, or simply go through your day without limitations, we are here to get you back to your team.
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Fit with Food, LLC

Emily Fultz is a licensed dietitian with a passion to help you get nutritionally fit. She has a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics from University of Delaware and a MS in Nutrition and Human Performance from Logan University. She comes from a clinical background with a specialty in sports nutrition. Whether you are an athlete looking to enhance your performance or simply an individual looking for the motivation to get your health back – she is ready to help you achieve your goals.
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CAD FREE TRIAL - Evaluation Form

We require an evaluation for athletes to join this program. Please fill in this form to get started with your request for the Free Trial

Unleash Your Inner Athlete

Axis offers a free 1 week trial for all new clients in its Adult, Speed & Agility, and CAD programs.
Complete Athlete Development
Our most popular and comprehensive program is structured in a small group setting and is ideal for off season or preseason athletes.
We require an evaluation for athletes to join this program
Speed, Agility & Quickness
The goal of the SAQ program is to improve linear speed, first step quickness, change of direction ability, and general coordination and conditioning.
Adult Programs
You don’t stop training because you get older. You get older because you stop training.