There are fads in the fitness industry that come and go but one phenomenon that appears to be here to stay is the youth training industry. By some estimates, it is a $4 billion annual business and it doesn’t appear to be waning even in a recession.
So what are some things to look for when this topic comes up in your household? One of the first criteria should be whether you, as the parent, are driving the discussion or your child is interested. Unless the child is obese, and this is a health issue, I believe the child should be the one driving the discussion and showing the interest. Kids are not miniature adults, they don’t think and reason like adults, and just because you like working out doesn’t mean your 10 yr. old needs or wants the same structure that you as an adult need to stay fit.
2nd, you have to find the right trainer. If the trainer doesn’t have the experience and credentials for working with kids then seek one out who does. Remember they aren’t miniature adults and what works for a mature adult is not appropriate for a child. The trainer should have a firm grasp of the physical developmental/maturation process in kids as well as the psychological/mental approach necessary to engage and teach kids well. Kids don’t process/learn things like adults, they aren’t good at listening to long winded instructions and the training sessions should be interactive and movement oriented not lectures. Bottom line is if the kid isn’t having fun with the training sessions then find another trainer; it shouldn’t be drudgery for the child but something they look forward to doing.
3rd, I firmly believe that training of young kids, especially say under age 14-15, should be movement based training. That is not to say that older kids and adults don’t need this training as well but at the younger ages you are setting the movement pattern engrams (software if you will) that will give them a lifetime of good movement skills. Training does not necessarily mean just weight training but balance training, movement training, body weight and gymnastics type training, and core training. All of this training will lay a good foundation for a lifetime of good movement, fitness and health.
4th, don’t think that training is going to make your child into the next LeBron James or Serena Williams. You should be doing it for the long term benefit of the child. Your goal should be to encourage your child to become a life-long athlete or mover. Unfortunately, because physical education has been greatly curtailed, if not eliminated, in many school districts kids don’t get as much activity nor as much free play as in the past. Training can serve as a supplement to whatever free play and physical education they do get and may in some cases be their only physical activity.
So in closing look for someone with experience, get references/testimonials, and ask to observe one of their sessions with another kid to see how they work and how much the kid enjoys the session. Does the trainer/coach communicate well with the child, is there a real connection, does the kid seem engaged, and is the child having fun? Those are all relevant questions and speak to the interpersonal skills and experience of the coach/trainer. The very best coaches/trainers can work with a wide variety of clientele and personalities and get virtually everyone engaged. That is a sometimes rare and special talent and if you find a coach/trainer like that in your area then you know your child is in good hands and will be enriched by the experience.
Bruce Kelly, MS, CSCS, is a trainer/coach located in Media, Pa. Bruce is the owner of Kelly High Performance Training/Fitness Together in Media. He has coached/trained athletes in a variety of sports as well as trained clients to look better, feel better, and perform better. Bruce has over 25 years experience in the training/fitness field, has authored articles for strengthcoach.com and other websites, has contributed to several books on training, and presented seminars on a variety of health, fitness, and training topics at high schools, health clubs, and service clubs.
You can visit Bruce on the web at: [http://www.ftswarthmore.com] if you are interested in training with him or his staff. They also train teams/individuals on site/at home as well.
