Children in the Weight Room - The Benefits of Strength Training

When you mention Children and weightlifting or strength training in the same sentence a lot of parents wonder if it’s something they should be encouraging? 

“Is it even safe for my child to be strength training?”

“Won’t they hurt themselves?”

Parents do have some valid points because any kind of physical activity carries its own risk. Running on a field & getting tackled for the ball poses a risk of impact injury. There is no way to control another child sliding down the field and smashing into your child’s knee. That is not to say your child shouldn’t be playing sports - but the risk that is posed in a supervised & controlled environment (such as weight training in a gym) is much safer than you’d think.

It's about building a foundation

Strength training is not setting an olympic bar in front a child and expecting them to be able to throw it over their head. Children do not need to be lifting a ridiculously heavy weight. As with adult training, progression is everything - as is building a foundation of fundamental movements. Teaching them correct form and building stability and strength in each joint is what will propel them forward. Practising techniques that match their age and fitness levels build athleticism and physical intelligence. Oh yeah - and it’s fun.

Why work on strength?

If you want a child to be active, why not get them to go outside and play some more? (Try suggesting that to child with an ipad!). Although I encourage any activity that is going to get children moving, why do I recommend working on strength in particular?

Children benefit in particular from building postural strength as well as trunk and joint stability. A stable core provides a solid base of support giving the child the ability to walk, sit and move correctly - preventing pain and injury.​

Do you have a 10-13 year old? We would love to train them in LIFT ACADEMY!

They will be learning the fundamentals & progression of the following...

1. Weight Training
Hypertrophy, Power and Strength - bodyweight, powerlifting, olympic lifting and bodybuilding movements

2. Agility, Speed and Balance
Foot drills, Activation of Core and Obstacle Course
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3. Mobility - Myofascial Release, Stretching, Activation and Stabilization of joints.
Focus on proper movement for hips and shoulders
All focusing on form, tempo and what muscle they are using. Each day we will have all 3 components above, included in the day, with a focus on Leg Conditioning, Pushing Movements, or Pulling movement.

You can expect your children to;

Lift weight
Learn the above - with proper form & posture - creating better physical literacy

Lift Their Spirits
With mentorship they will learn to be mentors, teach others & be a leader.

Lift Their Game
Giving them the tools to be their best and push their limits in a safe environment.

Tues/Thurs 3pm After school drop in. boys and girls welcome.  Ages 10-13

There are limited number of spaces available per class - call, send a message on FB or an email to get signed up.