3 Signs Athletes Need to Start Lifting Weights - Cedar Park Athlete Training

Ben Lustig
Jun 26
2 min read

youth baseball high school athlete performing barbell strength exercise

As a parent, it’s not always easy to know when your child is ready to take that next step in their athletic development.

You want to give them every opportunity to succeed — but you also don’t want to push them into something before they’re ready.

One of the most common questions I hear from parents here in Cedar Park is: “How do I know if my athlete is ready to start lifting weights?”

The truth is, there’s no magic age — it’s more about physical readiness, sport demands, and their long-term goals.

Here are 3 clear signs your young athlete may be ready (and likely NEEDS) to start strength training:

high school basketball athlete performing barbell lunge

1. They’re Getting Pushed Around in Games or Competitions

Whether it’s on the court, field, or in the pool, if your athlete is consistently getting outmuscled or struggling with physical contact, that’s a red flag.

It’s not about turning them into a bodybuilder — it’s about building the strength, stability, and body control to hold their own.

Strength = Confidence, and the difference shows quickly.

2. Injuries or Nagging Aches Are Starting to Show Up

It’s common to think injuries are just “part of the game,” but many injuries in youth sports are preventable — especially overuse injuries, muscle strains, or joint pain.

If your athlete is dealing with:

Recurring ankle sprains
Knee pain (especially in jumping sports)
Shoulder issues (common in swimming, baseball, or volleyball)

… that’s often a sign their body lacks the strength and stability to handle the demands of their sport.

A smart, age-appropriate strength program builds durability and reduces injury risk.

high school athlete performing barbell deadlift

3. They’ve Hit a Performance Plateau

You’ve probably noticed it — they work hard, practice often, but their speed, power, or explosiveness just… isn’t improving.

At a certain point, skill work alone isn’t enough.

Without the strength foundation, it becomes harder to get faster, jump higher, swing harder, and change direction faster.

Strength training fills that gap and unlocks new levels of performance — safely and progressively.

The Bottom Line: It’s About Building a Foundation for Long-Term Success

The best time to start lifting weights is when your athlete shows signs that their body — not their skills — is holding them back.

If done properly, strength training helps young athletes stay healthy, boost their confidence, and perform at the highest level they can.

Here at Barbell Coalition, we specialize in strength & conditioning training for athletes in Cedar Park, designed to build strength, power, and durability — without interfering with their sport practices.