Cedar Park Parents: Is Your Athlete Actually Getting Stronger From Training?

Ben Lustig
Jan 13
2 min read

cedar park athletes performing deadlift exercise

If your athlete is practicing, lifting, and “training hard” — but still isn’t getting faster, stronger, or more confident — it might not be an effort problem.

It might be a training problem.

A lot of young athletes are busy, sore, and working hard… but they aren’t progressing.

Here are the biggest signs your athlete’s training isn’t actually working.

The Truth: Most Athletes Train But Don’t Progress

Many middle school and high school athletes are doing:

school workouts
random lifting plans
speed camps
extra practices

But without a structured plan, effort doesn’t automatically turn into results.

youth male athlete performing a trap bar deadlift exercise

Cedar Park Parents: 5 Signs Your Athlete’s Training Isn’t Working

1) They’re Always Sore, But Not Stronger

Soreness can feel productive, but it doesn’t always mean progress.

If your athlete is constantly sore but their strength isn’t improving, their plan is likely too random or too intense.

2) Every Workout Looks Different

If workouts change completely every session, it’s hard to track progress.

Real training should follow a plan that builds over time (not “new exercises for fun”).

3) Their Form Looks Worse As Weight Gets Heavier

If their squat collapses, their back rounds, or their landings are unstable, the training isn’t building athletic strength.

Strength only transfers when it’s built with good movement.

high school male athlete performing barbell lunge exercise

4) They Lift, But They’re Not More Explosive

Good training should eventually show up as:

better first step
more speed
higher jumps
better athletic power

If none of that changes after months, the training is missing key pieces.

5) They’re Getting More Aches And Injuries

Training should make athletes more durable — not more banged up.

If knee/shoulder pain is increasing, something needs to change.

cedar park high school athlete performing kettlebell squat exercise

Want To Know If Your Athlete Is Training The Right Way?

At Barbell Coalition, we made it easy for Cedar Park & Leander parents to get real answers about athlete training without committing long-term:

14-Day Athlete Accelerator

In 2 weeks, your athlete will:

learn how to train safely
build strength the right way
develop better movement and athletic power
get coached every session

Click here to learn more.