Sports Medicine and Training Center

What Sports Medicine and Training Center does

Sports Medicine and Training Center (SMTC) is an independent, family-owned, therapist-owned physical therapy and performance training practice founded in 2002 by R. Scott Van Nest, MS PT, and Roberta H. Van Nest, PhD, operating from a single 8,200-square-foot facility at 119 Watson Plaza in Crestwood, St. Louis, Missouri. The company delivers an integrated mix of clinical and athletic services under one roof, including general orthopedic and sports-related physical therapy, pre- and post-operative care, sports rehabilitation, manual therapy with modalities such as ASTYM and Graston Technique, workers' compensation rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, and balance dysfunction therapy, alongside individualized personal training, semi-personal training, group and team training, sport-specific performance programming, group exercise classes (including GYROKINESIS, stretching, conditioning for dancers, and Parkinson's exercise classes), endurance coaching for runners/cyclists/triathletes, biomechanical assessment, custom Sole Supports orthotics, and dance and performing arts medicine anchored by a 40ft by 25ft mirrored dance studio. Specialty clinical tools include Sole Supports custom-fabricated orthotics, ASTYM/Graston soft-tissue modalities, GYROKINESIS and GYROTONIC methodology equipment, and equipment from Pro Maxima, Hammer Strength, and Nautilus.

The company generates revenue from six identifiable streams: insurance-billed physical therapy (in-network with Aetna, Anthem, United Healthcare, Tricare, and 20+ other carriers, including Medicare and Medicaid under Missouri's 2023 direct access laws); self-pay personal and semi-personal training sold as packages or punch cards; drop-in and punch-card group exercise classes (first class free); subscription endurance coaching with premium and fixed 4/8/12-week training-plan tiers; custom orthotics on a four-step evaluation-casting-fitting-recheck flow; and the Wellness @ SMTC half-year and full-year integrated program combining PT, fitness, nutrition (McDaniel Nutrition Therapy), and exercise physiology (SIUE Exercise Physiology Lab). Customer acquisition is sales-led, drawing from direct access (no-referral) PT visits, physician and surgeon referrals, self-pay inquiries routed to a designated staff contact, school and team contracts (Webster Groves HS, Lindbergh HS), and performing-arts partnerships (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Modern American Dance Company, Leverage Dance Theater, Fox Theater touring companies via Neurotour, Space Station Dance Residency). Marketing is predominantly organic — active Instagram and Facebook, Google Reviews reputation management, Constant Contact email, and earned media in St. Louis Magazine — with no resellers, distributors, or second-site presence.

SMTC is the only independent therapist-owned, family-owned physical therapy practice in St. Louis, with no parent, hospital, or corporate affiliation and no disclosed funding or M&A activity. Headcount is reported at 11–50 employees, with named staff including two PTs (Van Nest and LaVenture), one PTA (Damjanovic), one exercise physiologist (Cogan) who also directs endurance coaching, two trainers/instructors, an operations manager, a co-owner business manager, and front-desk staff. Senior leadership remains the founding family, with third-generation involvement in evidence (Paige Van Nest as class instructor and Leverage/MADCO dancer). The business model is a hybrid clinical-plus-fitness single-clinic operation with an embedded ancillary ecosystem (nutrition, exercise physiology lab, performing-arts medicine), distributed across a broad individual-patient base and a smaller set of recurring enterprise relationships in the performing arts and high school sports segments.

Name

Sports Medicine and Training Center

Legal name

Sports Medicine & Training Center

Website

https://smtcstl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sports Medicine and Training Center is an independent, family-owned physical therapy and performance training clinic in Crestwood, St. Louis, founded in 2002, serving general orthopedic patients, athletes, dancers and performing artists, seniors, and injured workers through integrated PT, fitness, endurance coaching, wellness, and custom orthotics services under one roof.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHSADAIAB

Sports Physical Therapy & Return-to-Play Rehab

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation & Corrective Exercise

SECONDARYHLAKALAB

Sports Medicine

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

SECONDARYMPAKAJAO

Sports Rehabilitation, Return-to-Play & Performance Therapy Centers

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Camps, Academies & Training Centers

SECONDARYHSADAAAF

Sports Performance Personal Training

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Personal Training (In-Person & Virtual)

Keywords

• Physical therapy services
• Sports rehabilitation
• Fitness training programs
• Endurance coaching services
• Wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Physical Therapy Services: Billable medical services covered by most insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance. Delivered by licensed PTs and PTAs. In-network with Aetna, Anthem, United Healthcare, Tricare, and 20+ other carriers.
2. Fitness Training Services: One-on-one personal training, semi-personal training, and group/team training sold as packages or punch cards. No memberships. Prices are competitively positioned.
3. Group Exercise Classes: Drop-in rates and class cards available for weightlifting, stretching, fusion fitness, golf training, GYROKINESIS, and conditioning classes. First class free.
4. Endurance Coaching: Premium coaching with unlimited communication and monthly check-ins, and training plan options (4, 8, or 12 weeks) with monthly phone/in-person check-ins. Available virtually and in-clinic.
5. Custom Orthotics: Four-step process: evaluation, casting, fitting, and re-check. Orthotics fabricated by Sole Supports laboratory.
6. Wellness Programs: Half-year or full-year comprehensive wellness programs integrating physical therapy, fitness, nutrition, and health coaching in collaboration with McDaniel Nutrition Therapy and SIUE Exercise Physiology Lab.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sports Medicine & Training Center is a locally-owned, family-operated physical therapy and performance training clinic in Crestwood, St. Louis that delivers general orthopedic and sports-related physical therapy (including pre/post-operative care, sports rehab, manual therapy, workers' compensation, work conditioning, vestibular rehabilitation, and balance therapy) alongside fitness training, sport-specific performance programs, endurance coaching, group exercise classes, dance and performing arts medicine, comprehensive wellness programs, biomechanical assessment, and custom-fabricated Sole Supports orthotics.

Product overview

Sports Medicine & Training Center is a locally-owned physical therapy and performance training center offering integrated services under one roof. The company operates as a single unified facility combining physical therapy services (general orthopedic and sports-related PT, pre/post-operative care, sports rehab, manual therapy, workers' compensation, vestibular rehabilitation, balance dysfunction) with fitness and training programs (individualized personal training, group/team training, sports performance, endurance coaching, group exercise classes, senior fitness). Specialty services include Dance & Performing Arts Medicine, wellness programs (Wellness @ SMTC, GLP-1 Support), biomechanical assessment, and custom orthotics. The 8,200 square foot facility includes a 40ft X 25ft dance studio, extensive fitness equipment (Pro Maxima, Hammer Strength, Nautilus), and aerobic equipment. Services are available both in-person and virtually (Zoom training for wellness and endurance clients).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical Therapy General orthopedic and sports-related physical therapy addressing acute conditions (back pain, neck pain, sprains, strains, fractures) and chronic conditions (arthritis, tendonitis), as well as post-surgical rehabilitation. Delivered by licensed PTs and PTAs and in-network with Aetna, Anthem, United Healthcare, Tricare, Medicare, Medicaid, and 20+ commercial carriers.
• Pre & Post-Operative Care Pre-operative and post-operative rehabilitation designed to help patients achieve the best possible results from surgery, focusing on reducing swelling, improving flexibility, increasing strength, controlling pain, and restoring range of motion.
• Sports Rehab Sports rehabilitation program designed to return athletes to participation as soon as safely possible by addressing injury recovery, secondary mechanical issues, and physician instructions.
• Dance & Performing Arts Medicine Dance and performing arts medicine program offering assessments, physical therapy, specialized training, and injury care for dancers, musicians, and performing artists, leveraging a 40ft x 25ft mirrored dance studio.
• Workers' Compensation Occupational health rehabilitation delivered through provider networks to facilitate timely recovery and return to full work activities, in coordination with physicians, case managers, and payors.
• Work Conditioning Work conditioning program with job simulation activities, ergonomic assessments, and lifting technique training to help workers perform job duties safely and effectively.
• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) Specialized therapy addressing symptoms of inner ear disorders and post-concussion syndrome, including headaches, dizziness, vertigo, balance disorders, difficulty concentrating, and nausea, using vestibular, visual, and balance exercises.
• Balance Dysfunction Therapy Physical therapy program observing posture and gait and assessing strength, flexibility, and neurological function to address gait or balance problems and improve community ambulation confidence and safety.
• Injury Screenings Free 20-30 minute orthopedic assessments by licensed physical therapists that evaluate nagging problems or acute/chronic injuries, explain underlying issues, and recommend a plan of action.
• Individualized Training Personalized training programs including 1-on-1 personal training and semi-personal training using evidence-based practices to improve strength, endurance, and cardiovascular health with thorough fitness evaluations.
• Group & Team Training Team training programs that improve teamwork while developing sport-specific skills for groups of up to 30 athletes, with group-size-based pricing.
• Sports Training Sport-specific and endurance training delivered by exercise physiologists using a medically-based program grounded in biomechanics, addressing speed, agility, vertical jump, power, flexibility, and mechanics.
• Group Exercise Classes Group fitness classes including Weightlifting, Strictly Stretching, Quick Minutes to Fitness, Fusion Fitness, Golf Training, GYROKINESIS, Conditioning for Dancers, So You Think You Can't Stretch, and Exercise for Parkinson's, available via drop-in or class cards with the first class free.
• Endurance Coaching Personalized endurance coaching for runners, cyclists, and triathletes, including Premium Coaching with unlimited communication and monthly check-ins and Training Plan options with 4, 8, or 12-week frameworks, delivered virtually or in clinic.
• Senior Fitness Fitness services for older adults led by certified senior fitness specialists, including personal and semi-personal training, group exercise classes, and free weekly Parkinson's exercise classes in partnership with the local APDA Chapter.
• Wellness @ SMTC Comprehensive half-year or full-year wellness program integrating physical therapy, fitness training, health coaching, and nutritional services in collaboration with McDaniel Nutrition Therapy and the SIUE Exercise Physiology Lab.
• GLP-1 Support Fitness screening and evaluation program for patients taking GLP-1 medications, providing personalized recommendations for improved health and fitness with partnerships with the SIUE Exercise Physiology Lab and local registered dietitians.
• Biomechanical Assessment Evaluation of movement patterns for runners and cyclists, including gait observation, manual assessment of strength and flexibility, footwear analysis, and recommendations for training protocols and orthotics.
• Custom Orthotics Custom-fitted foot orthotics through Sole Supports, following a four-step process of evaluation, casting, fitting, and re-check, designed to optimize posture, alignment, and movement based on body weight and foot flexibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most clients report meeting initial weightlifting goals within 4-6 weeks of consistent training
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• McDaniel Nutrition TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for the Wellness @ SMTC program providing comprehensive nutrition consultations and dietary guidance integrated with fitness and physical therapy services.
• SIUE Exercise Physiology LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Wellness @ SMTC program providing access to DXA scans, RMR tests, VO2 Max tests, and exercise physiology expertise. Also partnered for GLP-1 support services.
• Space Station Dance ResidencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partners providing dance medicine and performing arts services to Space Station Dance Residency artists.
• Isaiah 58 MinistriesminorOthersCommunity support through donations of needed supplies; collection crate located at clinic for drop-offs.
• Lift for Life GymminorOthersLocal St. Louis organization supported through community giving programs.
• IFM Community MedicineminorOthersSt. Louis community medicine organization supported through SMTC community giving initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ivy Rehab Network: Multi-specialty outpatient PT network with orthopedic, sports, and pediatric therapy. Comparable to SMTC in its clinical sub-specialty mix and insurance-billed PT model, with a much larger geographic footprint and a partner-clinic growth model.
• Athletico Physical Therapy (now BAYADA): Large multi-state PT provider specializing in orthopedic and sports-injury rehabilitation. Closely matches SMTC's clinical scope (PT, manual therapy, sports rehab, workers' comp) and is a direct competitor for physician referrals and in-network insurance patients in the Midwest.
• PT Solutions: Outpatient PT provider with strong sports medicine and athletic training offerings. Direct overlap with SMTC on orthopedic PT, sports rehab, return-to-play programming, and partnerships with schools and athletic organizations.
• Drayer Physical Therapy Institute: Multi-state outpatient PT operator with orthopedic, sports, and industrial/workers' comp focus. Comparable to SMTC on clinical scope (general ortho, sports rehab, work conditioning) and the strategy of operating a regional cluster of clinics in secondary Midwestern markets.
• ATI Physical Therapy: National outpatient physical therapy chain with strong sports medicine and orthopedic focus. Directly comparable to SMTC on core PT services, in-network insurance billing, and sports/orthopedic specialty mix, though ATI operates at vastly greater scale and a multi-state footprint.
• SPEAR Physical Therapy: PT practice with deep sports and orthopedic specialization, offering manual therapy and performance-oriented rehabilitation. Comparable to SMTC in its clinical philosophy (intensive, hands-on, clinician-led) and its blending of PT with performance/fitness services.
• Results Physiotherapy: Outpatient PT chain emphasizing hands-on manual therapy and orthopedic/sports injury treatment. Closely aligned with SMTC's intensive, clinician-delivered approach and its mix of in-network insurance PT and self-pay wellness/fitness extensions.
• Harkness Center for Dance Injuries: Specialty dance and performing-arts medicine program serving professional dancers and companies. Directly comparable to SMTC's dance medicine practice (St. Louis Symphony, MADCO, Leverage Dance Theater, Fox Theater Touring via Neurotour) and the only meaningful niche match in performing-arts PT.

Emerging players

• StretchLab: Franchise-based assisted-stretching and recovery concept. Partial overlap with SMTC's flexibility, recovery, and corrective-exercise services (including GYROKINESIS-based classes); represents a low-friction retail competitor for the same self-pay flexibility and recovery-minded consumer.

Broad incumbents

• Life Time Fitness: National premium fitness operator that has added integrated wellness, recovery, and physical therapy services. Not a direct clinical competitor, but the broad incumbent most likely to encroach on SMTC's combined fitness + wellness offering with greater scale and brand recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sportsmedicineandtrainingcenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/smtcstl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sports-medicine-training-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sports Medicine and Training Center