With fall seasons right around the corner, we caught up with Coach Scott Paltos of Foundation Training Systems, the athletic performance gym on Route 10 in Morris Plains that plenty of Denville athletes and families already know as FTS.
Scott has been in the performance world for more than two decades, starting out as one of Bill Parisi’s first athletes in the early 1990s. Here is what he had to say about where FTS came from, how he coaches, and what young athletes should be doing right now. His answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
For readers who have not trained with you yet, how would you describe FTS and the kind of athletes and clients you work with?
“Dedicated, motivated, and ready to be accountable for what they want. Those are three actions and qualities of an athlete that will allow him or her to be successful in sport AND life.”
How did Foundation Training Systems get started, and how has it grown into what it is today?
“This could be a long one! FTS has been around since 2020, but its foundation started over 23 years ago with PUMP. So not for nothing, we have been going for some time now. In 2020 I went back to my roots and decided to rebrand strictly for athletic performance. Yes, working with athletes is the path. We do have adults that WANT change, but the goal in the end is changing young lives through training and sport.”
You got your start working under Bill Parisi. What did you take from that, and who else shaped the way you coach?
“I’m grateful for where my roots came from. I was one of Bill’s first athletes back in the early ’90s. He then gave me an opportunity to coach when I was done playing. I was surrounded by amazing coaches, some of the best you could have. They were my mentors, colleagues, and friends. If you’re in this world of performance, the likes of Joe DeFranco, Martin Rooney, Steve Leo, and of course Mark Williams, who is with us at FTS, you would know these are the best around. We lived, breathed, and trained to do what we do. I was certainly blessed to find that start.”
You have worn a lot of hats outside the gym, including teaching and coaching. How does that carry over into how you work with young athletes?
“Teaching and coaching are NOT dissimilar. You have to connect and create rapport. You may be the most experienced and educated soul, BUT if you cannot connect with a young person, you cannot lead and assist him or her. FTS’s culture thrives on building those relationships to lead and create futures.”
Summer is winding down and fall seasons are about to start. What should athletes be doing right now to be ready for tryouts and those first few weeks?
“I cannot stress enough HOW IMPORTANT it is to train all year. Athletic development doesn’t happen over a few weeks and a couple of seasonal months. This is paramount to a young person’s growth and future. By the way, it has to be guided right as well. So seriously folks, train and don’t just make it seasonal.”
What is the most common mistake you see young athletes make in the jump from summer training to in season play?
“Well, ya read above. I’d say that’s number one: athletes that stop training are at a disadvantage. Now 1B, you could say, is NUTRITION! Pay attention to how, what, and when you eat. Pay attention to how, what, and when you drink. School starts, alarm clocks go off earlier, homework gets put on ya, practices go late. Make sure you manage your time. Be efficient. Keep training the right way, and get control of your nutrition.”
What is next for FTS, and what is the easiest way for a local family to get started with you?
“World domination! No, no, just kidding. FTS isn’t for everyone. Everyone is certainly welcome, but you need to want to be there. As an athlete, you have to commit. Heck, as a family you need to sacrifice and commit. The expectations are laid out in the first conversation everyone has with me.”
“Coach Mike and Coach Mark are two of the BEST you will find. I’m not too shabby either. It’s a great balance with who we have inside FTS’s walls. BUT as an athlete and a family, you better be ready to go. We have a way of doing things that grows our athletes in so many ways. Of course athletics are a direct effect, but developing young kids into amazing people is what we do. FTSfamily is not just a moniker we use, it’s how WE do things.”
“So if FTSfamily sounds like something you are interested in, our socials are out there. Don’t be scared, get excited. Thanks for the time, Denville Now, and glad we can be a part of the community.”
How to reach Foundation Training Systems
- Location: 3025 Route 10, Morris Plains (training is by appointment)
- Phone: 201-686-6775
- Email: scott@ftstrainingsystems.com
- Instagram: @foundation.training.systems
- Website: ftstrainingsystems.com
For more on the local fall sports season, see Denville Now’s coverage of Morris Knolls’ state playoff opener against Summit and the Chatham game that snapped the Golden Eagles’ win streak.
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