-
Hardin-Simmons University (TX)
-
25 years
-
Qualified Private Coach
Passed Coach Course

James Burk
Background Check Verified
Learn MoreThis coach has passed an identification, basic background, and sex offender check.
I have been involved with helping athletes develop their physical potential for over 20 years, and I would love the opportunity to help you reach your goals! View all coaching experience
Training Locations
My training location only
Packages
1 session package with Coach James. 60 minute session length
Session Length: 1 hour
$60 1 session + applicable fees
3 session package with Coach James. 60 minute session length
Session Length: 1 hour
$169 3 sessions ($56/ea) + applicable fees
5 session package with Coach James. 60 minute session length
Session Length: 1 hour
$264 5 sessions ($53/ea) + applicable fees
10 session package with Coach James. 60 minute session length
Session Length: 1 hour
$492 10 sessions ($49/ea) + applicable fees
-
Adults, Kids, Teenagers
-
Olympic Weightlifting, Nutrition, Cross Training, Conditioning, Bodybuilding, Powerlifting, Weight Loss
-
Speed/ Agility, Explosiveness, Deadlift, Back Squat, Balance, Bench Press, Front Squat, Lower body strength, Power Clean, Snatch, Upper Body Strength, Core Conditioning, Clean and Jerk, Medicine Ball Workouts
Credentials
-
Hardin-Simmons University (TX)
-
25 years
-
Qualified Private Coach
Passed Coach Course
Services
-
Adults, Kids, Teenagers
-
Olympic Weightlifting, Nutrition, Cross Training, Conditioning, Bodybuilding, Powerlifting, Weight Loss
-
Speed/ Agility, Explosiveness, Deadlift, Back Squat, Balance, Bench Press, Front Squat, Lower body strength, Power Clean, Snatch, Upper Body Strength, Core Conditioning, Clean and Jerk, Medicine Ball Workouts
More About Coach James
I have been involved in strength and conditioning for the past 25 years. My experience has ranged from adolescents to being a college strength and conditioning coach. I hold 9 certifications in the area of strength and conditioning. I also have written articles, spoken at clinics, made a training DVD, and was named 2006 high school strength and conditioning coach of the year.
My work history includes
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Hardin Simmons University
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for all sports at John Paul II High School
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Dallas First Baptist Academy
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Trinity Christian Addison
Assistant Strength Coach at Sam Houston State University
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at San Antonio East Central
Strength and Conditioning Director for The Athletes Course
Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at TCU
Certification in Strength and Conditioning
NSCA - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
NSCA - Coach Practioner
ISSA - Certified Personal Trainer
USPLA - Level 1 Coach
USWA - Level 1 Coach
USWA - Sports Performance Coach
West Side Barbell Club certified
National Association of Speed and Explosion certified
Cooper Clinic - certified Nutrition Specialist
I played football in high school and college as well as have competed in powerlifting. In 2006 I was named the Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by American Football Monthly. In the past 25 years I have helped many athletes at a variety of levels reach their fitness goals.
After assessing what the athlete wants to develop and identifying strength and weaknesses an appropriate plan is developed. Sessions often involve dynamic flexibility, acceleration, agility, linear speed development, plyometrics for outside work. In the weight room sessions often include - Olympic lifts, squat, deadlift, bench press, dynamic effort work, maximum effort work and core development.
Also online sessions are available. Can use video for technique work and email workout plans. Custom package and pricing will be sent for this, does save time, travel and money. In addition can be more convenient when trying to schedule into a busy schedule.
Action Photos
Client Reviews
Ryan (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
David (CoachUp client)
Coach James was great with helping my kid improve her technique. From recent workouts she's exceeding her prior PR
Maryna (CoachUp client)
Great sessions. Excellent and thoroughly.
Thank you we really appreciate all you input.
Isabel (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Kizzy (CoachUp client)
He was very patient and understanding with my daughter's first attempt at the shotput. Even with her horrible attitude, he made her experience worthwhile! 😊
Stephen (CoachUp client)
Extremely knowledgeable a bit rambling.
Tonya (CoachUp client)
Coach James is a super knowledgeable throws coach. My daughter learned so much in just two sessions. Coach James is great at breaking down the complex moves into simpler segments, so the athlete is able to understand how each part helps achieve the best throw!
Tammy (CoachUp client)
Great great coach!! Really knowledgeable about what he’s doing. He works with your skill set. My daughter improved her PB 3 feet after one session the very next day at her meet!! I filmed her and he gave her more pointers. I highly recommend him!!
Stephanie (CoachUp client)
Great coach! Very patient and provided a lot of information. My daughters learned a lot on their first session with him. We will definitely use him again.
Jared (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Josh (CoachUp client)
Excellent throws coach.
William (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Tauna (CoachUp client)
Very knowledgeable and provides feedback.
Nicole (CoachUp client)
We decided to use Coach James for one session before my son's district track meet. Not only did his confidence improve, but he was taught the fundamentals that made sense to him so that he can improve his distance/accuracy. He threw better in the following district meet than he ever has before. We will definitely be using Coach James again. Thanks for your help!!
Christi (CoachUp client)
Coach James was awesome at teaching Kinsley the correct form and movement when throwing the shot and discus. He gave her reasonings and explanations for every movement that needs to happen to throw longer distances.
Susan (CoachUp client)
I really like the way Coach breaks every step down for my daughter and he has the patience to work with her as she puts each step together. He keeps things light and fun but still make the workouts effective and efficient.
Very glad we signed up with Coach Burk.
Nick (CoachUp client)
Coach James was excellent. He broke down a lot of information in a short period of time, and my son came away with a much better understanding of throwing mechanics. We will certainly be booking more sessions with coach James.
Joseph (CoachUp client)
Coach James was "awesome" according to my kids and what i witnessed. He was so detailed and patient with his instructions....the kids were totally impressed the instruction...They received so much more instruction in their first session with Coach James than they received all of last year
Joe (CoachUp client)
Coach James is an awesome coach. Discus can seem like a complicated motion but coach James is a master at his craft and can quickly explain what they need to do. After just one session my daughter feels like she finally has the tools to improve. He provided a customized the session, videos and drills to work on. I highly recommend him.
Heinrich (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Bob (CoachUp client)
James Burk is a coach who is well versed in discus training. His ability to deconstruct my sons technique, analyze it, and reconstruct it was/is impressive. In addition, Coach Burk was able to effectively convey his technique analysis to my son in a way that was easy for my son, and me for that matter, to understand. I saw improvement in my sons technique by the end of the first practice. Coach Burk also provides his trainees with solid fundamental training tips, including drills to work on between throws.
I signed up for more lessons with Coach Burk as soon as I arrived home after the first training.
Thank you
Bob Berry
Cindy (CoachUp client)
Really spectacular coach. You can tell he is highly skilled in shotput and discus. He took time with my son’s technique as well as customized the session to his level of ability. One session in and already seeing improvement. Highly recommend this coach.
Elliott (CoachUp client)
Coach James was fantastic. He customised our training session based on our requests and the need to improve my sons football skills. Our training session was great, combining technical skills as well as demonstrations of exercises and training for him to do to improve his playing. My son walked away excited and with more confidence in his abilities. He felt immediately that what he learned was going to translate to better performance of the field. He cannot wait for his next training session with Coach James.
Chad (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Leon (CoachUp client)
My 9th grade son has really enjoyed the training sessions so far with Coach James. He is already improving his technique. I plan to sign up for more sessions.
Camille (CoachUp client)
Coach James is an awesome coach. He is so incredibly personable and you can really tell that he wants the best for every athlete he comes in contact with. It is obvious he knows a lot about what he is talking about and is able to explain and train me in the best way possible for my current athletic needs. I know that the more I work with him, the better I will be.
Richard (CoachUp client)
Coach James thoroughly understands the mechanics of the shot and the disc, and is able to explain them quickly and effectively. I learned a lot in the brief time I had with him, and I'm sure it will reflect on my season later this year. Definitely consider Coach James if you're looking for a better understanding of the sport.
Kim (CoachUp client)
Coach james is very knowledgeable and uses easy to understand terminology. Saw immediate improvement in my son's discus throws.
Randall (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Mike (CoachUp client)
Great technical knowledge and practical coaching advise.
Brenda (CoachUp client)
Coach James was awesome! We did the online video for the discus and the shot put. He told my granddaughter exactly what she was doing wrong and how to correct it. It was so neat! He used a pen to draw on the video to help us to understand the correct techniques while talking and explaining everything. Wish we knew about this and Coach James a lot sooner!!!! I definitely recommend Coach James!!
Melodi (CoachUp client)
Coach James is great!! I had obvious improvement after each lesson. I am going to continue training with Coach James during my off-season. He really made a difference in my performance.
McKenna (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Pamela (CoachUp client)
Coach Burk received raving reviews from my daughter and her Nana after only 2 days of practice. Mikayla is 19 and has been throwing shot and disc since 6th grade. She learned so much in these sessions that we wish she would have learned years ago. Now she's learning the tools to break previously learned bad habits. She's now excited about the upcoming outdoor season. Thank you Coach Burk. We hope to see you more this summer!!
Coach Burk is Professional, knowledgeable, & knows how to break it down step by step!!
We would recommend him to others!
Sally (CoachUp client)
Coach James does a great job with my 13-year old daughter. He brought her from knowing nothing about discus or shot put to being the best thrower at her middle school in just a few lessons. I'm sure he is equally as effective with older more experienced athletes.
Debra (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Rita (CoachUp client)
In one lesson Coach James not only helped our son throw farther but also boosted his confidence!! We are very grateful for Coach James and our son is looking forward to his next few lessons with him. We definitely recommend Coach James!
Betsy (CoachUp client)
This guy really knows his stuff and can explain it to his athletes. My son is all fired up about throwing this year because he feels like he is really learning technique. Coach Burk is very responsive and easy to work with.
Jeff (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Karen (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Shawn (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Jim (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Angel (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Paul (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Bonni (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Trent (CoachUp client)
Coach James was great. My son really enjoyed his coaching and already asked for a second lesson. He said he learned more in one session than all the other time he has tried Shotput.
Tara (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Tiffany (CoachUp client)
I was very impressed with Coach James. My daughter learned so much in her first lesson. She can't wait for her next one.
Angela (CoachUp client)
Coach James took the time to show the right technique, step by step, in throwing discus for our 8th grader. This is a new sport for her and after just one session, she's feeling more confident. She really enjoyed today's lesson and looks toward to her next. We wholeheartedly recommend Coach James! He a great coach and very knowledgable.
Angel (CoachUp client)
Has been awesome with my 14 year old son. We will not only use him for discus throwing but also with football lineman work. My son looks forward to each session
Bill (CoachUp client)
Coach James was great. He was very easy to talk to and understand what the athlete needed to do in detail. Looking forward to out next session.
Kenny (CoachUp client)
Great first session. Coach James breaks down the throw step by step and leverages video to assist the athlete. Looking forward to more sessions with Coach James.
Sally (CoachUp client)
My 12 year old daughter is starting from scratch. Coach James did a great job taking it one step at a time, teaching her the fundamentals and proper technique. He was very encouraging, yet managed to point out what she needed to improve with each iteration. I would definitely recommend him and will continue to book lessons with him.
Mark (CoachUp client)
Very happy with Coach Burk, my son always looks forward to the training sessions.
Jared (CoachUp client)
Great coach!!!! Extremely informational and knows what he is doing!
Meredith (CoachUp client)
Great first session! My son is looking forward to continuing.
Lance (CoachUp client)
In just one session with Coach James we saw a HUGE improvement in how our son is able to throw the discus. We will be booking more sessions right away.
Stacy (CoachUp client)
I would recommend Coach Burk to anyone. My son has taken lessons for baseball for 6 yrs. During that time I have yet to have a coach that can break down an activity and explain the why and why nots as good as he can. My son understood from the beginning of the lesson how each step in the discus throw was to be done properly and how and why if done right the discuss would travel further.
Tom (CoachUp client)
Coach James is the type of coach I have been looking for, to get individual lineman specific help for my 14 year old son. I plan to continue the sessions through out the off season.
Tom O.
Doug (CoachUp client)
Gold Star #1 - Coach was on time and dressed like a Coach.
Gold Star #2 - There was no exchange of pleasantries - we went immediately to the whiteboard to map out a strategy.
Gold Star #3 – Coach taught me the system and exercised with me. In 60 minutes he did more for me than anyone I have worked with in my 30 years of exercise and gym experience.
Gold Star #4 - Coach is a knowledgeable professional, focused and hands on. I was looking for a man who walks the walk (no chicken legs on Coach), could supply a common sense plan, motivate me by example, keep me accountable and of course, get the pain out. He proved himself in record time. I am still having difficulty walking.
Gold Star #5 - Coach does not have a Juice bar, sell Paleo snacks, push supplements, and in my case, did not recommend any aerobics, power walking, Pilates, etc. I feel that if being wrapped into a pretzel shape was needed for me to progress in my training; he would certainly do that for me. Thanks Coach Up. Thanks Coach James.
Cindy (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Connie (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Sean (CoachUp client)
Coach Burk provided excellent coaching to my son, Jack. He broke thing down for my son, was very positive and patient with him. My son felt very comfortable learning from and enjoyed working the drills that Coach Burk provided. Highly recommend Coach Burk and will have my son continue to work with him, whenever possible.
Ben (CoachUp client)
Coach James was a great communicator and a joy to be coached by. He helped me fix the fundamentals of my discus and shot put technique in only a hand full of lessons. His coaching was vital to me winning a state championship in discus. I strongly recomend him to anyone who wants to get better at any level!
Paul (CoachUp client)
Coach James is a great coach. He took the time to ensure that my son's fundamentals are correct and sent us an instructional video of my son with slow motion instructions with Coach James' voiceover that my son watched over and over again to ensure that his form is correct. Coach James is also very postive and encouraging. We highly recommend him.
George (CoachUp client)
We are extremely pleased with the coaching our son has received in his first two sessions with Coach James. Our son feels that he has learned more practical skills in two sessions with Coach James than he had in two seasons of football practices. The personal attention from such a gifted coach really makes a difference. We have already signed up for several more sessions, and intend to maintain a long-term relationship with Coach James. We recommend Coach James whole-heartedly for players of any skill level.
Charlie (CoachUp client)
Coach James is a professional and very detailed in his training. He has taken some of his own time to check in and see how his student is doing and even stayed to coach my daughter through her first meet. He really values her success and gets just as excited about my girl's success as his normal day to day students. That is someone who really cares. We will be coming back for more sessions! I appreciate everything he has done and being there to make sure my daughter is the best she can be!!
Marty (CoachUp client)
Coach Burk is a true professional. He understands how to coach young lineman and instructs then on the fundamentals of blocking. We have only gone to one session but we are signing up for many more.
Share This Coach
CoachUp's Got Your Back
- Runs Sex Offender screening on every coach
- Ensures high quality coaches with verified reviews
- 100% money back guarantee
- Offers 24/7 support and helpful Athlete Advisors
- Easy payments via credit card, no need for cash
- Provides convenient scheduling with calendar integration
- Enables automated reminders before training sessions
- Captures post-session feedback directly from your coach