No matter if your athlete participates in contact or non contact sports, here are 5 reasons why resistance training should be a part of their regimen.
1. REDUCES INJURIES AND/OR THE SEVERITY OF THE INJURY The most important benefit of strength training is that it helps keep your athlete healthy! Having a plan that is individualized to areas that the athlete needs to improve is essential. Proper exercise selection, progressions & intensities have to match the athletes age and skill.
2. IMPROVES FLEXIBILITY AND MOBILITY Getting stronger throughout different ranges of motion improves joint integrity and improves range of motion and mobility. This directly translates to improvements in performance. Throwing athletes improve their velocity on the ball and other athletes improve their speed and quickness.
3. GAIN LEAN MUSCLE MASS Carrying good weight and improving lean muscle mass is a direct result of strength training. Carrying lean muscle mass allows your athlete not only to be strong and powerful but quick and fast at the same time.
4. IMPROVE POWER Improving muscle force and movement speed is the “Secret Sauce”. When you combine strength training with speed and agility training specific for your sport, you amplify the results of your training. Larger, stronger muscle fibers produce more force which results in more power output in your designated athletic skills.
5. CONFIDENCE This is one of the most under appreciated benefits of strength training. When an athlete sees themselves improving and their bodies changing it improves their confidence! Developing confidence is much harder than developing muscle, but strength training definitely helps improve it.