Program Overview
During the summer school holidays, I ran an Intro to Strength Training for Youth Athletes program designed for young athletes with little or no previous strength training experience.
Athletes were split into 10–12 and 13–14 year age groups, with numbers capped at 8 per group to provide plenty of individual coaching and ensure every athlete developed safe lifting techniques and confidence in the gym.
The program focused on teaching the fundamentals of strength training, while educating athletes on how strength training can improve sporting performance, reduce injury risk and support long-term athletic development. Exercises were selected to develop athletic qualities that transfer across a wide range of field, court and track sports, making the program suitable for both boys and girls from a variety of sporting backgrounds.
Program Highlights
- Maximum of 8 athletes per group
- Age-specific groups (10–12 & 13–14 years)
- Designed for athletes new to strength training
- Focus on safe lifting technique and movement quality
- Education on the role of strength training in performance and injury reduction
- Athletic movement patterns that transfer across multiple sports
- Welcoming environment for both boys and girls
