LIFTING WEIGHTS DOES NOT STUNT YOUR GROWTH!!!

I've been training professionally for 14 years, and during that time frame I've worked with well over 7,200 clients, of which more than 90% were all under the age of 22, and they've earned approximately $3,937,400 in college scholarships(and counting).Over the years in trial and error I've learned a lot about the body, and people, and many of the issues on why the latter struggles with the understanding of the former.

Most parents do not have an understanding of what to look for in youth athletic training. Some make brazen attempts to recreate videos from the internet in hopes of an enlightenment of some sort, that will grant them with the powers of recreating an accurate kinesiological program and turn their young athlete into the next Ja Morant or (the greatest ever) Lebron James. The truth of the matter is, other athletes are training in a very concise manner, consistently for years, and the non-refundable time wasted trying to guess what works best, is often lost in a very delicate, extraordinarily complex and temporary stage. It is best to hire an expert.

UNDERSTANDING YOUTH TRAINING:

There is a "right way" and a "wrong way" in many ways for each sport, and each age group. Lifting weights is not the only way to gain strength and muscle, and it has its flaws, but as in almost all things, there is a certain "right way" and a certain "wrong way" for each specific age group, gender, sport and position in each sport. Be sure to send your athletes to those who have a deep understanding of the four P.A.D.S. (as I like to call them):

Pubescent Athletic Development Stages:

Pre-pubescent

Advancing pubescent

Developing teen

Strengthening young adult

Disclaimer:

ALL pubescent years begin at different times, so the stages are relative. So instead of the pursuit of an age, try to gather the objective perspective offered that pervades the athletic needs of young people.

Pre-pubescent: Bodyweight exercises, assisted to unassisted pullups, pushup variations, lunges, sprints, air squat variations, deceleration exercises, track and field, boxing, martial arts, wrestling, kickboxing, gymnastics, tumbling, cheer, tennis, etc. ALL pre-pubescent exercises are safe for use in all life stages and, with regular practice, can alter/improve genetic propensities, otherwise deemed irreversible. Encourage "Loose" breathing throughout the process, meaning a refusal to strain; breathe through each repetition/performance to prevent hernias (a bulging of the intestines through the muscular walls, often resulting from heavy, intense straining). Stretches should be done for 10-15 seconds at a time. "Challenging the limits" should be the governing point in training. Balance and proprioception should be the primary subjects.

Advancing Pubescent: Body weight exercises are crucial, still, as the shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and spine begin to harden with conditioning. Pullups, pushups, crunches, mason twists, squats, lunges, broad jumps, sprints, calf raises, cariocas, lateral defensive shuffles, backpedaling, running high knees, bounding sprints, kipping, handstands and handstand pushups round out the best exercises for beginners-to-advanced in this age group. The basics of crossfit with a near weightless pole is an excellent activity. Growing accustomed to strong breathing exercises in this stage maximizes the athlete's opportunity to fully grow to their potential height. Stretches should be done 10-15 seconds at a time. "Structure and control" should be the governing point in training. Accountability and confidence should be the primary subjects.

Developing Teen: Weights, weights, weights, and bodyweight exercises; it is the way of the athlete. Olympic lifts, all if the advancing pubescent exercises (mentioned above) combined, creates the most complete compound for this age group. A progressive program that expects advancements, and simultaneously respects the individual varying need for adapting, is the most effective approach. The deeper the breath, the more powerful the athlete; encourage the breadth of breath. Stretches should be done 15-30 seconds each at this stage, and performed 2-3 times consecutively. Many tissues begin to tighten rapidly at this stage, and often is the genetic deciding factor for replicating generational patterns that result in structural decay, postural abnormalities resulting in/contributing to vertebral subluxation/nerve damage, many autoimmune illnesses, premature death, and many other seemingly unavoidable complications. Stretching saves lives, and I will be discussing this subject deeper in the near future. "Controlled, full range of motion explosiveness" should be the governing point in training. Depth of understanding should be the primary subject in all training.

Strengthening young adult: Every person is different. From the shot putter, the linebacker, and the power forward, to the libero, flanker and goalie, there are thousands of ways to properly approach each individual need, and even more wrong ways. Weights are NOT the only way to succeed and gain muscle. Pitchers shouldn't heavy shoulder press, catchers have to do yoga, point guards shouldn't bench 405 lbs, a setter shouldn't be able to easily preacher curl 20 kilos. The goal is to treat this stage of athlete as a near professional athlete. All appropriately sustainable loads are acceptable. Injury prevention exercise is of utmost importance. Stretches should be done 30-45 seconds at a time and repeated 2-5 times daily. At this stage, half of the athlete's body weight in ounces is the daily hydration baseline/minimum from now on. Pubic hair has reached it's limits, and the body now depends very heavily upon every bite, beverage and activity.

FUEL:

Consuming multiple high quality proteins and carbohydrates create the muscle that is least likely to tear. Consuming multiple plant sources offer the kidneys a "break" as proteins are assimilated at the mitochondrial level of the cells where muscle is being developed most currently(rather than giving the kidneys the bulk of the work in consuming a majority of complete proteins). All naturally occurring carbohydrates in whole foods help benefit all health conditions (other than allergic reaction), help with neurological function and sustainability and provide the best natural energy source for ALL athletes.

"Burning fuel properly" should be the governing point in training. The true value of the overall body should be the primary subject in all training.

A combination of lean meats, eggs, 100% whole grains, 100% whole wheat, fruits, vegetables, seeds/legumes, roots daily will get the job done with a hard-working, living, breathing immune system, also known as, the human body. #iamkalmesewell