Unleash Your Potential: The Power of Resistance Bands and Bodyweight Moves
In the world of fitness and athleticism, it's not always about the heavy weights and fancy equipment. In fact, some of the most effective workouts can be done with minimal gear, and they're accessible to everyone, especially young athletes. In this blog post, we'll explore the incredible versatility of resistance bands and bodyweight exercises. We'll provide you with a list of effective moves that require little to no equipment, highlighting their accessibility and convenience for young athletes looking to enhance their performance.
Tracking Progress Through Strength Assessments: Maximizing Offseason Gains
In the world of youth athletic development, progress is the name of the game. It's not just about working hard; it's about working smart. One essential tool in this journey towards excellence is the use of strength assessments. In this blog post, we will explore the vital role of strength assessments for youth athletes, the types of assessments commonly used, how progress tracking informs training adjustments, and provide inspiring examples of athletes who achieved remarkable gains through proper physical assessment and tailored training programs.
Plyometric Training for Explosive Power
Plyometric training is a dynamic and effective method for enhancing explosive power, a critical component of athletic performance. For teen athletes, plyometrics can be a game-changer when executed correctly and safely. In this blog post, we will delve into the numerous benefits of plyometric exercises, offer a range of suitable exercises for young athletes, emphasize the importance of proper warm-up and technique, and explore how plyometrics can complement weightlifting to increase power.
The Road to Greatness: Long Term Athletic Development in Youth Sports
In the world of youth sports, success is not just about winning today's game; it's about nurturing young athletes for a lifetime of achievement. At Atlas Performance Training, we understand the profound significance of a structured and long-term approach to athletic development for our young athletes. In this blog post, we will delve into why Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) is the cornerstone of future athletic success and how it fosters lifelong healthy habits.
Progressive Overload in Strength Training for High School and Middle School Athletes
Progressive overload is a fundamental concept in strength training that plays a crucial role in enhancing athletic performance, regardless of an athlete's age. For high school and middle school athletes, understanding and implementing progressive overload can be a game-changer. In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of progressive overload, its positive effects on athletic performance, and provide practical strategies for young athletes to safely and effectively incorporate it into their training routines. Additionally, we'll highlight the critical role of consistency in achieving strength gains.
Core Strength for Athletic Performance
Core strength is a fundamental aspect of athletic performance, especially for young athletes . A strong core not only contributes to improved athletic abilities but also plays a vital role in injury prevention. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of core strength for youth athletes, provide a range of core-strengthening exercises tailored to this age group, and emphasize the crucial connection between a strong core and injury prevention.
Lifting Up Young Athletes: Power, Precision, and Performance
Weightlifting, when introduced correctly, can be a valuable component of a well-rounded training program for youth athletes aged 12-17. Emphasizing movement proficiency over heavy weights is paramount in this age group, as it ensures safety and maximizes strength development. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of introducing weightlifting to young athletes with a focus on proper techniques, injury prevention, and how weightlifting contributes to functional strength and improved athletic performance.
Why You Don’t Have to Spend a Fortune on Getting Healthy and Fit
While it would be nice to have a personal trainer on standby for personalized fitness sessions, not everyone can afford this route. However, that's not to say it's your only option to lead a healthy, active lifestyle. There are, of course, other alternatives (many of them free) that you can make use of, too.
Specific Health and Performance Training For Athletic Development
All great gains and achievements on the field and or court of play are made possible when athletes chose to dedicate themselves to the process of developing the work ethic needed to achieve their goals in the offseason, and between seasons if they are multi-sport athletes to compete and win in the regular and post-season. The four areas of focus mentioned above should be the foundation of any comprehensive training program. There may be other elements that could be included but for the sake of time, I chose to focus on these 4 elements that have shown results for my clients over the years. Let’s also keep in mind that this process is for the long-term growth and development of the athlete and there is no such thing as a quick and easy path to improving the physical and mental development of a youth athlete. Any youth training program should have the long-term development of the athlete in mind, and address all areas that will improve their physical and mental performance…..
Build a Stronger Kid: Lift and Learn
There is an age old question that goes back as far as I can remember, I tried to find out where or who came up with this myth and google failed to give me the definitive answer. But that is not important, what is important is that we are going to look at the benefits of learning to lift by briefly looking at the process of LEARNING to lift weights, which is based on two important principles. The first principle is developing the young person’s Relative muscular strength, which learning to perform basic bodyweight movements like a push-up, bodyweight squat, and lunge Pull-Ups, etc. with proper form and body control. In developing youth strength training programs for beginners exercises should in my opinion be limited to the use of specific types of resistance equipment like dumbbells, rubber bands, and tubes, with minimal intensity (lightweight) after they have learned how to properly execute the basic exercises that improve their Relative muscular strength. Developing relative strength varies and depends on the commitment of the individual youth, and their parents. After a solid foundation of relative strength has been developed, start developing their Absolute muscular Strength. This is when Free weights and resistance machines are added to the training program, examples of Free weight movements are……
Stay Ahead of the Game and Away from Pain
Joint pain and discomfort are two of the main factors that prevent people from maintaining an active lifestyle. If you are a fairly healthy person you may take for granted the normal function of your joints and ignore the factors that will have a negative effect on your joints if you don’t apply some preventative measures to help you manage the pain and discomfort you may experience while exercising. The is no absolute way to eliminate pain from physical activity especially if you are out of shape due to an old injury, a sedentary career, or any other physical limitation.
Strength Training: The Foundation of Speed Training for Youth Athletes
Everyone understands that speed kills, but the foundations of training that skill can be developed in athletes of all ages starting with a good foundation of strength training. There are two types of speed, there is linear speed which is running in a straight line and lateral or what I like to call Multi-directional speed which is transitioning from a linear direction to lateral direction at different angles of movement. Both of these types of speed are developed by increasing the force that is applied to the ground, and the only way to increase the force that is applied to the ground and increase your RFD or Rate of Force Development……..