Dr. Michael Yessis

Born in New York to immigrant parents, Dr. Yessis was a pioneer in the fields of biomechanics and kinesiology.  He was the first to bring Soviet sports training concepts to the United States and to build upon those theories in his own work with athletes. 

Michael attended Brooklyn Technical High School and received his B.S. and M.S. from City University of New York.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California.  He taught at Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas, and at California State University in Chico.  He was Professor Emeritus at California State University, Fullerton, after teaching for over 30 years.  He was a multi-sports specialist in biomechanics (technique analysis) and sports conditioning and training. 

As founder and President of Sports Training, Inc. (DoctorYessis.com), Dr. Yessis authored a longtime journal, the Fitness and Sports Review International (aka Soviet Sports Review), along with 17 books and over 2,500 articles.  He also provided mentoring and analysis services to athletes and coaches to improve their sports performance. He created a number of pieces of equipment to support the specialized training including the Yessis Back Machine, Exer Rings, the Breather, the Strength Bar, and the Active Cords.

Dr. Yessis also developed many unique sports-specific exercises and specialized training programs to improve technique, strength, flexibility, power, speed and quickness.  His training program, known as the Yessis System of Improving Performance, consists of biomechanical analyses and the creation of specialized exercises that duplicate what the athlete must do in execution of his sports skills. 

In his retirement, Michael loved spending time growing various fruits and vegetables and sharing the fruits of his labor with his family, especially his daily salads.  He loved playing games with his family.

Dr. Michael Yessis is survived by his wife of 44 years, Edie, his daughter Marissa Yessis Prough, son-in-law Trevor Prough, and grandson, Declan Prough.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Michael Yessis, please visit our floral store.