Staying out of a Pickle
ichael Holmstrup, a Slippery Rock University professor of exercise science, is pioneering training regimens for one of America’s fastest-growing sports: pickleball. Partnering with retired SRU employee and pickleball pro Gino Cicconi, he created an exercise science–backed fitness program titled FITTER Pickleball.
The program is designed to boost performance and, most importantly, keep players injury free.
The goal is simple: equip players, especially older adults, with proper strength and conditioning so they can stay on the court with confidence. Drawing from Holmstrup’s exercise science expertise and Cicconi’s professional-level experience, the duo developed exercises that mirror dynamic pickleball movements.
Cicconi worked in SRU’s Information and Administrative Technology Services department for 35 years before retiring in 2018. A competitive player with a 5.0 rating, the sport’s professional threshold, he earned a bronze medal at the 2024 USA Pickleball National Championships.
“Michael specifically designed this program to keep players injury-free,” Cicconi said. “All the exercises build on movements we do in every match and especially help older players stay safe.”
The idea for FITTER Pickleball started when Holmstrup observed his wife playing and crafted a personal training regimen. Over the last two years, Cicconi became his first test subject. Now 63, Cicconi plays and coaches weekly without injury, and in 2025 alone he captured five additional gold medals at national tournaments.
“Gino’s our model for how your game can improve and you can stay healthy,” Holmstrup said.
“He feels more comfortable going for the ball because he’s trained these movements off the court.”
SRU students are involved in the program’s development, producing more than 125 instructional videos included with each spiral-bound or digital book. Holmstrup sees it as both an educational and entrepreneurial opportunity for students. Additionally, the duo aims to donate at least 10% of earnings from FITTER Pickleball to local charities.
“This became a way to look into the exercise marketing side and involve students as much as we can,” he said. “I didn’t start this to strike it rich. The wider this goes, the better it will be for the pickleball community.”
