Middle and high school athletes have a lot of responsibility compared to other kids their age. Not only do they have to keep up with schoolwork and family obligations, but they must be a contributing member of their sports team and continue to improve their performance. Many teams help their athletes do this through sessions with a strength coach outside regular practice. But what do you do to improve performance beyond what your strength coach can recommend?
This is a problem that many young athletes face and one that can be solved with an individualized exercise program from a personal trainer. We love working with our EW Motion Therapy young athletes to ensure they are at their best on the field through exercises customized to their ability, sport, and position. But you may wonder how a personal trainer is any different from the strength coach they already see. If you want to learn the differences between the two professionals and the benefits of personal training for your young athlete, keep reading.
What do youth strengths coaches do?
If your child plays team sports at a large school or for a local team, they likely have a strength coach helping them with workouts. These professionals can be anyone from the head coach themselves to someone the coach brought in from a local gym or other organization. The team’s strength coach depends on the school’s resources or organization over your child’s team, but their role is the same. They help create workouts for the team and supervise the whole group as they exercise before or after practice.
Strength coach vs. personal trainer
There are multiple differences between strength coaches and personal trainers. First, not all strength coaches have personal trainers’ certifications and education. Certified personal trainers have a certification from a nationally recognized organization, like the NASM, and many have a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or a similar educational track.
Also, personal trainers can better individualize workouts for specific sports and athletes because of their education. For example, a personal trainer can help a baseball player work on rotational power and ensure their hips and shoulders are mobile. If the player is a pitcher, they can also incorporate arm-strengthening exercises. A strength coach might not have the time or the expertise to individualize workouts for each athlete on the team they oversee, and they may even use online resources that are not individualized for the athlete’s position. A football team quarterback would likely need a different workout than the defensive line, but their strength coach might give them the same plan and only adjust the weight to the athlete’s ability.
Benefits of personal training for young athletes
Personal training for young athletes can enhance their physical abilities, improve performance, and foster overall well-being. This training goes beyond generic exercise regimens, offering customized workouts and guidance tailored to the specific needs of young individuals engaged in sports. Let’s look at the multifaceted benefits of personal training for young athletes and how it can positively impact their sports careers and personal development.
Individualized attention and customization
One of the primary advantages of personal training for young athletes is receiving individualized attention. Unlike team training sessions, where strength coaches must divide their attention among all players, personal trainers focus solely on one athlete. This personalized approach enables the development of a training program that specifically addresses the athlete's unique strengths and weaknesses.
Targeted skill improvement
A personal trainer can identify areas requiring enhancement, such as agility, strength, or endurance, and tailor exercises to improve these skills. For example, a young soccer player might need to work on their sprinting speed, while a tennis player might benefit more from agility drills. This targeted skill improvement is crucial for young athletes aspiring to reach higher performance levels in their respective sports.
Educating on safe practices
Injury prevention is a critical component of personal training for young athletes. Many young athletes can be injured when their strength coach is not watching them or ensuring the weight is correctly matched to the athlete’s ability. Trainers continuously observe and educate athletes on the importance of proper techniques, warm-up routines, and cooldown exercises. By learning the correct way to execute movements, young athletes reduce their risk of common sports injuries such as strains, sprains, and overuse injuries.
Rehabilitation and recovery guidance
In the event of an injury, personal trainers play a vital role in guiding young athletes through rehabilitation and recovery. They can collaborate with healthcare professionals to design a safe and effective return-to-play program, ensuring that the athlete recovers fully and minimizes re-injury risk.
Building confidence and resilience
Personal training not only focuses on physical development but also on mental toughness. Trainers help young athletes set realistic goals and teach them the value of hard work, perseverance, and discipline. This process builds confidence, as athletes see tangible improvements in their abilities and resilience as they learn to overcome challenges and setbacks.
Promoting a healthy lifestyle
Personal training instills lifelong health and fitness habits in young athletes. Trainers educate them on the importance of nutrition, hydration, and adequate sleep for optimal performance and recovery. Adopting these healthy habits early in life sets a foundation for maintaining physical fitness and well-being into adulthood.
Encouraging holistic development
Lastly, personal trainers encourage the holistic development of young athletes. This includes balancing sports commitments, academic responsibilities, social life, and other interests. By emphasizing the importance of a well-rounded lifestyle, trainers ensure that young athletes grow as team players and individuals.
Personal training provides customized training programs, aids injury prevention and management, enhances mental toughness, and promotes long-term health and fitness habits. By focusing on the physical and mental aspects of training, young athletes are better equipped to achieve their sports goals and lead healthy, balanced lives.
For young athletes and their parents considering personal training, it's essential to choose a qualified trainer who understands the unique needs of young sports enthusiasts. The right trainer can make a significant difference in an athlete's development, helping them reach their full potential in their sport and life. Their strength coach can be an excellent resource for general workout recommendations, but personal training is beneficial if you need an individualized approach. We do this daily for our young athletes at EW Motion Therapy, and our ultimate goal is to make our sessions productive and fun. If you’re curious about what else personal training can do for your athlete’s health, click the button below to download our answers to 20 frequently asked questions.
