Do kids really need strength training?

Happy Friday!

Are you looking forward to the weekend like I am? Nothing too special is happening this weekend (besides football ofc), but I always look forward to the weekend for some R&R. Lately, it seems like there just isn’t enough of that going around.

Anyway, I’ve been getting a lot of questions regarding what the benefits of doing resistance training are for young swimmers (kids < 12 years old).

So here’s my take:

There are so many benefits to resistance training, especially when adding it to an athlete who’s currently swimming.

1. Resistance training AKA strength training aids in injury prevention.

2. It increases muscular strength, endurance, and hypertrophy which are important in itself, but are also important in assistance with performance in the pool.

3. It improves motor control and coordination.

4. It provides a different stimulation to your musculoskeletal and nervous system that swimming doesn’t provide.

5. It strengthens muscles that are weaker or lengthened, and addresses muscular imbalances.

6. It aids in bone development and bone growth.

7. It improves power and explosiveness for starts, turns, breakouts, and finishes.

8. It improves overall body posture both in the pool and on land.

9. It improves upper and lower body movement patterns and improves coordination and core connection in the pool.

10. It improves and builds confidence and self-esteem.

11. It teaches kids how to properly handle and manage weight with proper technique.

12. It promotes, teaches, and improves proprioception and increases self-awareness on land and in water.

I can go on but I’ll save that for a later newsletter 😉 

Want to know if now is a good time to start strength training for your kid or yourself? Reply here and I’ll set you up with a free online consultation to answer any questions, and how to get started with resistance training.

Afraid of deadlifts? Check out my reel on why deadlifts are great especially for swimmers.

As always, leave feedback by replying to this email. I love sharing the wealth of knowledge and I’m glad I get to share it with you!

Until next time,

Sandra

PS - You don’t have the same body as the person next to you. So why would you train the same way as them? Tailor your training and nutrition so it fits YOU instead of doing cookie-cutter programs that offer mediocre results. Sign up for 1:1 coaching with me.

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