Classes usually start from 12. Younger athletes may be considered for The Academy when they are ready for closer coaching.
Based in Greater Manchester
High-quality coaching for young athletes in a safe environment
Strength, speed, movement and confidence developed through age-appropriate, professionally supervised training that parents can trust.
Not sure yet? Start with the free parent consultation.
Ready to try it? The taster session is free.
Professional youth athletic development for ambitious athletes across all sports.
Professional S&C coaching
Technique and long-term progress first.
Quick facts
The practical details parents usually ask first.
Choose structured group classes or an individualised Academy programme with TeamBuildr tracking.
Classes are usually 40-50 minutes. Academy sessions are usually 45-70 minutes, guided by the planned programme.
Classes may be larger with lead and assistant coaching. Academy groups are smaller for closer individual support.
Friday is at Mo Power, with Sunday currently running from a Trafford location. Athletes travel from across Greater Manchester.
Come and try a suitable session. Coaching memberships start from £50 per month.
Our Commitments
Coaching standards parents can hold us to.
The Academy is built around safe, honest, long-term athlete development. Every decision should help the young athlete train better and understand good preparation.
Wellbeing comes first
Safety, confidence and wellbeing come before performance targets.
No fads, gimmicks or miracle claims
Training is based on safe, effective coaching methods, not trends or shortcuts.
Every athlete is treated as an individual
Athletes are coached around their movement, confidence, training history and stage of development.
Honest feedback, clearly explained
Parents and athletes are told what is going well, what needs work and what the sensible next step is.
Clear professional boundaries
YAA does not replace medical advice. Where something sits outside coaching, we will say so clearly.
Parents are welcome and listened to
Questions, concerns and feedback are part of the process, not an inconvenience.
Why parents choose YAA
Performance improvement with proper care for the young person behind it.
Age-appropriate strength work
Progressions match the athlete's training history, movement skill and development stage.
Technique before load
Movement quality, control and safe positions come before heavier weights or harder sessions.
Growth-aware coaching
Training adapts during the years when bodies change quickly.
Clear parent communication
Parents can ask questions, understand what the training is for, and see the direction of their child's development.
How we develop your athlete
We build the foundations before asking athletes to do more.
Athletes are not rushed into adult-style training. Movement, strength and sport performance are developed in a clear order.
Move well
Build mobility, coordination, posture, control and basic positions so athletes can train with safer, better foundations.
Build strength safely
Learn to produce force with good technique, appropriate progressions and close coaching, not random hard sessions.
Apply it to sport
Progress towards speed, power, resilience and confidence that can carry over into training, competition and long-term athletic development.
Safety comes before performance
Every exercise is coached, progressed and adapted.
Youth strength and conditioning should not look like a child copying an adult gym session. Training is supervised, age-appropriate and based on how well the athlete can move, listen and control the task.
- Technique always comes before weight
- Progressions are based on ability, not ego
- Every athlete is continually supervised
- Training is adapted around growth and sport demands
- Strength work supports resilience, but never promises injury-proofing
About the coach
Led by Martin Gallyer BSc MSc PGCE ASCC.
Martin combines strength and conditioning expertise with a teaching background and many years in performance sport. For parents, that means the coaching is not just programmed; it is explained, taught and adapted for the young athlete in front of him.
UKSCA Accredited Strength & Conditioning Coach
MSc Strength & Conditioning
PGCE qualified teacher
Experience with athletes and teams across multiple sports
Coaching options
Choose the right level of support.
Classes are structured group sessions. The Academy is an individualised coaching programme with TeamBuildr tracking and closer progression support.
Athletic Development Classes
From £50/month
Structured group sessions for athletes who want safe, coached athletic development.
- 1 class per week, or Classes Unlimited from £70/month
- Testing built into the training process
- Free taster available
The Academy
From £80/month
Individualised programming with smaller-group coaching and TeamBuildr tracking.
- 1 Academy session per week, or Academy Plus from £115/month
- App tracking, coach review and planned progression
- Scholarship places may be available by application
Scholarship places may be available by application for high-level athletes. Private group coaching and 1-on-1 coaching are also available by arrangement.
Parent FAQs
A few common questions before you enquire.
The full FAQ page covers safety, growth, injuries, coaching quality and practical parent questions in more detail.
Most asked parent questions
Is strength training safe for young athletes?
Yes, when it is properly coached, supervised and progressed.
The important distinction is that youth strength and conditioning is not adult gym training. At Young Athlete Academy, movement quality, technical control and sensible progression come before heavier loading.
Will lifting weights stunt my child's growth?
No good evidence shows that properly supervised, age-appropriate resistance training stunts growth or reduces final adult height.
The concern is unsafe training: poor technique, excessive loads, inappropriate exercises, lack of supervision or copying adult gym routines.
What age can my child start?
Readiness matters more than age alone.
A young athlete is usually ready when they can listen, follow instructions, accept coaching, control basic body positions and train safely in a structured environment.
My child has knee pain or a recurring injury. Can they train?
It depends.
Young Athlete Academy is not a medical service. If your child has pain, a diagnosis or an injury concern, they may need medical or physiotherapy guidance first. If they have been cleared to train, training can usually be adapted.
How many athletes are in a session?
It depends on the coaching option and the needs of the athletes in the session.
Athletic Development Classes may be larger with appropriate lead and assistant coaching. The Academy is smaller because each athlete follows an individualised programme.
What happens at the first session?
The first session is usually low level and focused on seeing how the athlete moves. The first priority is whether they can get into good positions safely and consistently.
Start the conversation
Ready to find the right first step for your child?
Send a few details and Martin will get back to you to understand your child's sport, goals, training history and any injury concerns. From there, the next step may be a chat at the gym, a taster session, a suitable class, foundation assessment or ongoing academy coaching.
There is no pressure to join. The first job is to decide whether Young Athlete Academy is the right environment for your child.
Mo Power
Phethean Street, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 7LJ
Parking is available. Friday sessions currently run at 6pm.
Sunday sessions currently run at 12 noon from a Trafford location.