There’s a lot of misinformation out there regarding strength training for teenagers and I wanted to drop by and share something helpful for you.
This is important because the myths regarding strength training need to be debunked. If you don’t let go of these myths, then it can impact the athletic development and self-esteem of teenagers. Yet alone the increased risk of many acute and overuse injuries. And I don’t want that for you or your son/daughter.
The positive impact of strength training for teenagers
I want teenagers to have the following:
- Increased confidence
- Increased performance in sport
- Reduced risk of injury
- Improved posture
- Increased bone density
- Improved well being
So here is what I want to share with you today:
Tip 1 – Strength training doesn’t impact their growth
Strength training in teenagers does not impact the growth of teenagers. This myth has been debunked many years ago in the literature and needs to be squashed here and now. Teenagers can get into strength training while they are still growing with no impact on their growth capacity at all.
Tip 2 – Strength training doesn’t increase their risk of injury
Lifting weights can lead to an increased risk of injury. In fact the opposite is true. If the training is guided by a qualified practitioner, who develops a program gradually over time. The goal is to build confidence, strength and support around their body. This in turn minimalists the risk of injury.
Tip 3 – You need to work on more than your skills and running fitness
To get good at sport you just need to work on the skills and work on your “fitness” or running fitness. This is the common belief. This is so far from the truth. The reality is as a teenager matures into an adult the training time and intensity increases. This places more demand on their body. Without a progressive strength program, they are at risk of developing an acute or overuse injury. This can lead to time out of sport, which can impact their mental health and physical well-being.
Listen, I hope this was helpful
P.S: Want to learn more about how we can help you or your child/teenager to build strength?
