Why should youth athletes lift weights?

“The Athletes Drive”

There are athletes who perform at a high level without ever stepping into the weight room or engaging in sport-specific training. Some find success without it, but if your goal is to compete at the highest levels, you need that extra edge. To maximize performance, incorporating sport-specific strength and conditioning is a great idea.

An athlete’s goal is to be number one. Competition is a gift—an opportunity to learn from others and personal experience. Training in sport and weightlifting made me more enthusiastic about competition, a better athlete, and a stronger version of myself. Yet, many athletes don’t find the drive to get in the weight room. Why?

Common Barriers to Weight Training:

• Boredom: Repetitive routines can feel monotonous.

• Frustration: Exercise can be hard and discouraging.

• Exhaustion: Balancing school, sports, and training is exhausting.

• Lack of Dedication: Consistency can be challenging, especially when results aren’t immediate.

Embracing Barriers & Adversity:

These obstacles help us learn what overcoming adversity looks like. From youth to adulthood, challenges shape our character. What defines us is how we respond. Face adversity, and come out stronger and more resilient than before.

Weightlifting has taught me to show up every day, strive to be the best version of myself, learn from experience, and take responsibility for my health. These qualities have shaped me as an athlete and person.

Growing and keeping up with the Competition:

The transition to high school is a pivotal moment for youth athletes. The competition becomes faster, stronger, and more intense. Weight training for me became the best tool for keeping up and staying ahead. It helped me catch up to the size of bigger opponents and gave me more physical edge. Strength and conditioning improved not only my physical attributes but also my mental toughness. I found that sport became more enjoyable and rewarding as my speed, power, and strength increased. Weightlifting positively impacted my physical and psychological development on and off the field.

Lessons from College Athletics:

After high school, I played at a Division III school, Whittier College, while earning my Bachelor’s of Science in kinesiology. Throughout my college career, I worked with four different strength coaches, each of whom taught me valuable lessons about discipline and commitment. I learned that showing up every day and striving to improve—whether in weightlifting, sports, or life—is a principle that too few people truly embrace. Weightlifting reinforced that mindset and helped me apply it to all aspects of my life.

Training with Purpose:

Training on and off the field fosters a drive for competition and a commitment to personal growth. It should be enjoyable, challenging, and meaningful. If it starts to feel stagnant, take a step back, reassess, and find a new way forward. Seek guidance from those who have had these experiences. Immerse yourself in the journey, and keep emerging as the best version of yourself.

Tell BanxPerformance how we can help you achieve success as a student-athlete!

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- BanxPerformance