Youth sports are becoming more and more popular—and demanding! Long practices and seasons are beginning to take their toll on kids and they are losing time practicing and playing as a result. So, what is a young athlete to do to stay competitive?!
Probably the most important reason for kids to strength train is first and foremost to help keep them healthy. By utilizing a properly designed and monitored strength training program kids can stay on the field both practicing and playing. If a child gets injured and cannot practice they lose the opportunity to get better at certain skills or even acquire new ones, or the chance to compete with their teammates on game day.
One of the biggest reasons that kids are losing time practicing and playing their sports is because of overuse injuries. By training the body to be stronger and more mobile, kids can avoid some unnecessary overuse injuries.
AMP Room Equipment at Elite Sports Club-Mequon
We are excited and proud at Mequon Elite to offer your child a new opportunity in athletic training, AMP (Athletic Movement Program). With so many of our members’ children being involved in athletics we decided it was time to offer them a program designed to make them a healthier, more athletic, and stronger athlete. No matter your child’s sport(s), physical training can not only lead to improved performance, but more importantly will help keep them healthy.
When your child enrolls in AMP we strongly recommend that they get signed up for at least a 6 week commitment. During those 6 weeks we will first assess your child through sport specific testing, along with assessing their base movement quality using the Functional Movement Screens. From that point they will workout in small groups of no more than 4-6 kids to help make sure each child gets proper instruction and correction on the exercises. After each session we will give each child a little ‘homework’ for them to work on away from the workouts; could be nutrition, stretching, foam rolling, etc.
AMP Room at Elite Sports Club-Mequon
During the AMP sessions we will address SAQ (speed, agility, quickness), power and strength (total body) as well as exercises to help keep them healthy during their competitive seasons.
Written by Jason Liegl, Certified Personal Trainer & AMP Program Director at Elite Sports Club – Mequon.
Jason re-joined Elite Sports Club-Mequon in 2008. He holds a BS in Fitness Management from UW-Parkside. Jason is a certified personal trainer through ACE. He is also certified by Titleist Performance Institute as a level 1 Golf Fitness Instructor, Functional Movement Specialist level 1, Functional Movement Systems level 1, Kettlebell Athletics level 1, and Precision Nutrition level 1 nutrition coach. Jason has experience in training athletes from almost every sport. His belief is that with a solid foundation and hard work, any athlete can get better!