Mastering Bodyweight: Four exercises and strength standards youth athletes should master before lifting weights.

In our last blog post we debunked the myth that weight training stunts growth in adolescents.

To the contrary, we discovered that - done correctly - weight training can support optimal growth, as well as provide robustness against growth related injury, and better sporting performance.

'Done Correctly' is critical though. In the world of cheap 24 hour gyms and fitness influencers (I can't bring myself to write 'fitfluencers' - doh!), too many teenagers jump straight into weight training with no structure, no coaching support, and no platform of strength.

When youth athletes join our Academy program, we ensure they can manage their bodyweight first - 'earning the right' to lift weights. 

This video demonstrates four exercises, and their strength markers, that we strive to achieve before our youth athletes pick up a barbell.

P.S. These standards are of course targets, and each athlete in unique - for example some females, or heavier males may struggle with Push Ups initially (here is a video to help if that is the case). But working towards these targets will help develop the strength platform needed before they consider lifting weights.