As a parent, you're probably aware of the benefits of strength & conditioning training for youth athletes. But one question that always pops up is what age is appropriate for a youth athlete to begin taking part in a S&C program. And the answer is: the earlier the better.
Most experts agree that youth athlete can, and should, begin strength training around the age of 11-12. This is typically the age an athlete starts their journey with us at Barbell Coalition.
Here's why starting training early is a game-changer for our Cedar Park & Leander youth athletes:
Building a Strong Foundation
Just like when building a house, building an elite youth athlete starts with developing a foundation of strength. Before there can be speed, power or endurance, there needs to be strength.
So what does this look like for an athlete on the younger side? The big focus will be on mastering basic fundamental movements. These are our squat patterns, our pushing patterns (like push ups), our pulling patterns (like rows, chin ups), etc.
Not only does this begin building a foundation of strength for the athlete early, it also helps them begin building the stability they need for athletic performance, as well as ingraining healthy movement patterns to avoid injury down the line.
Improved Athletic Performance
The number one reason why we're in the gym! Strength training boosts power, speed and agility, which are extremely beneficial for athletes of any sport. Programs like ours at Barbell Coalition help athletes move better, jump higher, and run faster, giving them a competitive edge.
And the best part is that the large majority of youth athletes aren't taking part in a structured strength & conditioning program. This means your child will seriously stand out among their peers.
Injury Prevention
Injuries for athletes at any level can be devastating. No athlete wants to be sidelined for an extended period of time because an injury occurred.
One of the biggest benefits that we've seen for our Cedar Park athletes in the gym is a big decrease in injuries, pain, etc.
But why is this? Well strength training doesn't just strengthen muscle tissue, it also strengthens the tendons and ligaments that surround those muscles. With a properly-coached strength training program, athletes can basically bulletproof their body.
Building Confidence and Discipline
One of my favorite things as a coach is watching an athlete hit a new record on a lift, especially at a younger age.
Sometimes improved athletic performance during practice and games isn't as easy to see because the progress is more gradual. But with strength training, especially early on, athletes will get stronger really fast. This creates a constant feedback of improvement for a youth athlete as they start to see their strength numbers improve quickly.
What we've seen in the gym is a massive boost in confidence and mental resilience for these athletes. The best athletes in the world are the ones that have the best mental game, hands down.
Our Training Makes Cedar Park & Leander Youth Athletes Stronger & Faster!
Want to check us out? Click here to book a free consultation and tour of the gym!
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