An Interview With Ryan Lee

Ryan Lee is one of the most recognized names in the sport training community today. He is the pioneer of industry changing products such as Sport Training Profits and Fitness Info Products. Ryan has single handedly altered the careers of many professionals within the sport training world. Beyond all this business and marketability however, lies a gentleman with a true and sincere passion for athletic development. Read and enjoy!

BG: What's your background in youth sports and athletics? Have you worked with young athletes?

RL:I was the director of fitness at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes in Valhalla, NY for over 6 years and I've also been the Strength and Conditioning director at Wildcat 3 High School in NYC. Over my career, I've worked with well over hundreds of young athletes.

BG: There are a lot of coaches, parents and even trainers who treat young athletes as if they were 'little adults'. What I mean by that is they will take the training routine of a superstar athlete and use it as a guide when working with youngsters. Why, if at all, should we warn against that kind of training?

RL: Mainly because kids are not physically (or emotionally ready) for that type of training. For example, kids DO NOT enjoy running on a treadmill for 30 minutes, so why have them do it. Make exercise fun, not a chore. Make training quick and get them back out on the field of play.

BG: The age old debate is 'How old should an athlete > be before they begin lifting weights'. What's your view on that controversial topic?

RL: I never give a specific age because it varies tremendously on the kid. One overlooked component is the emotional maturity of the athlete. You can have a 16 year old who doesn't follow directions but is physically ready to life, and I still wouldn't let them lift weights. However you can have a 10 year old who can handle strength training, but obviously the weights would have to be at a very low intensity (at least 12 RM)

BG: Using your ideals, could you define 'functional conditioning' for us?

RL: It's a word getting thrown out there a lot in the fitness industry, but I feel it's used incorrectly. Really, all exercise is functional. If a bodybuilder wants to bulk up, then bench press would be functional for them.

BG: If you were training a healthy ten-year-old athlete, what would a session with you look like? Length? Exercises?

RL: I'd go 30 minutes tops. Start with dynamic warm-ups and flexibility. Then we'd go to movement training (agility drills, pattern running, mechanics, etc.) Next, I'd use strength training (most likely body weight such as pushup variations, lunges, etc.). Finally, we'd do some conditioning (sprints, etc.) and finish with a game of nerf ball and cool down. I'd never make them do the same workout twice.

BG: Is there a particular criteria or path that you follow when developing young athletes over a long period of time? For example, at what age is it best to develop flexibility? Power? Coordination?

RL: Unlike some specialists, I don't really have them develop specific areas at age ranges. I try to incorporate all of the components of athleticism into my athletes and I make sure the program meets their needs and addresses their weaknesses.

BG: Should athletes specialize in a particular sport > at a young age or participate in a number of different sports? Why?

RL: I think it's a mistake to have them specialize at a young age. Let them become athletes and learn the different skills associated with all of the sports. I've seen too many athletes drop out of a sport because of parental pressure pushing them in one sport at a young age.

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