Who we are.
We are composed of youth and adult, casual, competitive, master and elite athletes. Members come from Orange County , L.A., San Deigo and beyond. We serve a wide variety of clients including weekend warriors, soccer moms and seniors. Our unique backgrounds also allow us to help patients bridge the gap between formal rehabilitation services and self-directed exercise, often upon referral from local orthopedist and internists.

We believe that strength and conditioning is the means by which we thrive, in sport and in life. Whether your sport of choice is marathon running or gardening, everyone is an athlete, and the body needs to overcome the forces that gravity places upon it.

Located in the seaside community of Laguna Beach, California - the Sport Performance Institute offers the perfect setting for health and fitness. Take a pictorial tour of our 6,000 square foot facility.
No matter what your level of fitness, we have a place for you.
The Sport Performance Institute & Fitness Center is housed in 6,000 sq. feet and includes the most advanced specialized equipment and training programs: Personal Training, Specific Ski Training Equipment, Vertimax (Cord Resistive Training), Sport cross-training, free weights, stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, recumbent bikes, treadmills, body master pre core and stretching mats.

Our trainers are certified strength and conditioning specialists with an extensive understanding of biomechanics. Each performance coach is trained in the biomechanical needs for each sport and for each position. As we extend our services to new sports, it is our background in biomechanics that allows us to analyze the sport, and create new programs to address the biomechanical needs.

What the members are saying.
We take personal care in knowing our members as individuals. Read what they have to say about us.
"I have been a member of many gyms in my life but it was not until I joined Sport Performance Institute (SPI) that I truly felt like I belonged to a gym. It is like being part of a family. Over the years I have battled with my weight as well as high blood pressure, so this past year I had committed myself to making a change in my life. Through the support of the entire SPI staff I have accomplished losing a total of 50 pounds and no longer have issues with my blood pressure. I am 45 years old and currently in the best condition of my life. I would like to give special thanks to my trainer and life long friend, Silvio Delligatta whose guidance and endless encouragement has helped me change my life. Thank you SPI, I am forever grateful. "
Kevin Hettig::Manager Facilities Development
"My wife Jennifer and I began working with Mike Catanzaro in 2009. Neither Jen or I had previously utilized a trainer to improve core strength, but we both had weak lower backs and I had a herniated disk in 2008 which kept me from training of any kind. Mike worked with me specifically to strengthen my low back, core and legs to speed my recovery as well as assist me in preparation for the 2009 triathlon season. As the year has progressed, we both could see and feel the difference Sport Performance Institute was making in our racing! Both Jen and myself will both receive All American honors for 2009 and could not have achieved these results without Sports Performance Institute and their amazingly talented trainers and sport specific strength training programs."
Mike Chalmers::Financial Advisor and Triathlete

"I found the Sport Performance Institute, Laguna Beach when I drove by on my way to a pick up game at the Main Beach basketball courts. I stopped in and saw Mike Catanzaro and the rest of the staff focusing intensely on their clients needs and making sure that the workout was being performed with perfection. I knew that this was going to be the right place for me to bring my surgically repaired knee back to 100% and help me bring my conditioning to the next level. I look forward to seeing the results on the court this year when I travel overseas to rejoin my team in Jordan."
Enver Soobzokov::Pro Basketball Player
"I attribute my success to twice a week core strengthening at Sports Performance Institute under the tutelage Mike Catanzaro and coaching from Grady Funk. I am training at a much higher intensity without any of the looming injuries that have plagued me in past years."
Dr. Sam Sunshine is a local Family and Sports medicine physician and is the medical director of a OC Sports and Wellness in Foothill Ranch. Dr. Sunshine has been competing in triathlons since 1999. His goal for 2009 is to qualify for World Championships in the sprint distance triathlon to be held in July at Newport Coast. This year, he has finished in the top 6 in his age group at his first 4 races.
Dr. Sam Sunshine:: MD and Triathlete

"When I started with Mike Catanzaro at Sport Performance Institute, I had recently had a bike accident that left me with a severe shoulder injury. At this point I was a basic age-group triathlete, only participating in short distance races. In one year, Mike has made me an athlete! I no longer have any shoulder problems. He has assisted me in finding new ways to handle injuries that I have suffered with for many years. Within this one year, I completed my first Half Ironman distance triathlon in under six hours. His training plan was perfect!. I was completely prepared for the race and was able to complete it with a very big smile on my face. Mike's experience and commitment to my success far exceeds anything I thought I would get from a trainer. I'm excited to continue my training with Mike and I look forward to fueling my triathlon addiction with all his wisdom. " Sport Performance member since 2007.
Tiffany Payton Jameson:: Mom and Age-Group Triathlete
"My training at Sport Performance has helped me compete at an elite age group level and have the confidence that I can handle the demands of my job as a deputy sheriff. The staff and head trainer JT have kept me focused, healthy, and motivated to compete as well as give me confidence to handle the responsibilities of being in law enforcement."
Robert Thomas::LA County Deputy Sheriff and Triathlete

Our philosophy.
"One of life's most empowering choices is to take personal responsibility for improvings one's quality of life."
  • We can help you reach your fitness goals through several tailored programs.
  • If your goal is to run a 10K, tackle a triathlon or take your game to the next level, we can help.
  • If you've hit a fitness plateau and stopped making progress, then our VO2 Max testing can tweak your training to keep you progressing.
  • We also offer nutritional consultation.
  • Monthly Cardiac Healthy Heart screenings.
  • Sport enhancement training.
  • Community resource referrals.