Strength Training Articles

Strength Training & the Young Athlete
Should pre-adolescent kids lift weights or shouldn’t they? Will it stunt their growth or increase their likelihood of future sporting success? Is growth plate damage a real concern or merely an exaggerated issue? This debate has raged on for years.
Hopefully, this article will help clear up some of the concerns.

The Machine Myth
Whenever I come into contact with a coach or trainer who preaches the virtues of machine-based strength training for young athletes, the same argument is typically offered – machines are safer for kids because they eliminate the dangerous aspects of traditional free weight training. Not True! In fact, having young athletes train on machines for strength development can actually lead to injuries and a whole host of other concerning factors.

ACL Injuries & Female Athletes
There has been an epidemic of sorts in the past few years regarding ACL injuries and young female athletes. Since the majority of ACL injuries are non-contact based, then either biological or mechanical issues are to blame. That is, either the injuries are due to unfortunate, yet genetic structural dysfunctions or they are the result of improper loading and mechanical faults – which is a matter of poor coaching.

Why Test Young Athletes?
How to test a group of young athletes has become a popular ‘discussion board’ question recently. I have seen this query raised on several prominent websites and have been asked about it a great deal over the past few months as well. Thus… my desire to touch on this subject.

Off-Season Squat Training
One of the most controversial exercises in the athlete's arsenal is the squat. So many athletes avoid this movement thinking that it is harmful to the knees or back or both. However, done correctly, squats are safe (yes safe -even for young athletes) and effective for developing strength that can be used right away in many sports