Parent FAQs
Common questions before a young athlete starts strength and conditioning.
These answers are research-informed and based on practical coaching experience with young athletes. They are written for parents, not coaches.
Safety and growth
Is strength training safe for young athletes?
Yes, when it is properly coached, supervised and progressed.
Major youth resistance training position statements support strength training for young athletes when it is delivered by qualified professionals and matched to the athlete's age, ability, maturity and training experience.
The issue is not strength training itself. The issue is poor supervision, poor technique, excessive loading, unsuitable equipment or rushed progression.
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 strength training?
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.
What if my child is going through a growth spurt?
Growth spurts are a key time to be thoughtful with training.
PHV, or Peak Height Velocity, simply means the period when a young athlete is growing at their fastest. During this time, movement, coordination, tiredness and training tolerance can temporarily change.
At Young Athlete Academy, training can be adapted around the athlete's development stage rather than treating every child the same.
Is this different from adult gym training?
Yes. Youth strength and conditioning is not bodybuilding, max lifting, random circuits or simply working hard.
Young athletes need coaching that is technical, progressive and development-aware. The aim is to build movement, strength, control, speed, confidence and resilience over time.
Injury risk and resilience
Can strength training reduce injury risk?
It can help reduce injury risk, but it cannot remove injury risk completely.
Good S&C can improve strength, movement control, landing mechanics, coordination, tissue tolerance and the athlete's ability to cope with sport demands.
My child has knee pain, Osgood-Schlatter's or a recurring injury. Can they train?
It depends.
Young Athlete Academy is not a medical service and does not replace a doctor, physiotherapist or other healthcare professional. 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. Martin also has good connections with trusted sports physiotherapists where extra support is needed.
Why do young athletes get injured so often?
Common factors include high sport volume, sudden increases in training, match congestion, fatigue, growth-related changes, weak movement foundations, poor conditioning or not enough recovery.
Will my child be sore after sessions?
Sometimes. Delayed onset muscle soreness, often called DOMS, can happen after new exercises, unfamiliar movements or an increase in training load.
Sharp pain, joint pain, worsening pain, limping or soreness that does not settle should be reported.
Do you train girls differently from boys?
Every athlete is trained as an individual.
There can be differences in growth, maturation, strength development, landing mechanics, confidence, injury patterns and sport demands. The answer is to coach the athlete in front of you, not stereotype boys and girls.
Coaching quality
How do you decide when to increase the weight?
Load follows competence.
Before increasing weight, the athlete needs to show good technique, control, consistency and understanding of the movement.
Do young athletes need to lift heavy?
Not at first.
Heavy is relative to the athlete. The goal is the right challenge at the right time with excellent technique.
Is Olympic lifting or weightlifting safe for young athletes?
Weightlifting-style movements can be appropriate for some young athletes when they are taught well, progressed gradually and supervised by a qualified coach.
They are not rushed and they are not necessary for every athlete.
Why does coach qualification matter?
Research and position statements repeatedly point to qualified supervision as one of the key conditions for safe and effective youth resistance training.
Martin's background combines S&C expertise with teaching experience: BSc, MSc, PGCE and ASCC.
What does a good youth S&C session include?
A good session is planned around what the athlete needs. It may include warm-up work, mobility, movement skill, strength and control exercises, speed or power work, conditioning, feedback and progression.
Practical parent questions
Who is Young Athlete Academy for?
Young Athlete Academy is for ambitious young athletes with a good attitude.
Some may already be on performance pathways. Others may be local, club or school athletes who want to improve and are willing to be coached properly.
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.
Can parents watch or ask questions?
Yes.
Parents are welcome to watch, ask questions and learn what good training looks like. In The Academy, parents can also support their child under coach guidance where appropriate.
How many athletes are in a session?
Athletic Development Classes may be larger, with up to 20 athletes when there is appropriate lead and assistant coaching. The Academy is smaller, typically 4-8 athletes.
What sports do you work with?
All sports.
The Academy develops athletic qualities that transfer across sports: strength, speed, control, coordination, mobility, power, conditioning, confidence and resilience.
How often should my child train?
It depends on sport schedule, age, training history, maturity, recovery and goals. More is not always better. The aim is to support performance without overloading the athlete.
Do you communicate progress to parents?
Yes.
Because parents are welcome around the training process, there are regular opportunities to ask questions and keep up to date with progress.
What should my child bring?
Suitable sports kit, water, appropriate trainers and a good attitude. Parents should also share any new medical, injury or health information that has changed since completing a PAR-Q or health screening form.
Where are sessions held?
Friday sessions are held at Mo Power, Phethean Street, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 7LJ.
Parking is available. Sunday sessions currently run from a Trafford location, with details shared before attending.