We've just finished our first six-week session of Catalyst Teens. It's been more than we bargained for. We though, "we'll take these kids in, show them how to move better, give them a couple of tough workouts, and then do it again after Christmas, maybe."Instead, we got a full group, plus a waiting list. We got effort and intensity to match the Adult group (and sometimes, more noise than the older CrossFitters…) We got inspired. Kids would arrive every week, usually early, always ready to throw themselves into the den of any Wolf we could dream up. Some did better a certain workouts. Some are better squatters than others. But every.single.one. hit it hard. NONE caved. NONE gave up. And neither can we.We're expanding our offering: Teens can now choose between Tuesday and Wednesday night groups. The group will still run at 7pm at the Park. More details, including our philosophy, below:
Interest in Youth Fitness has never been higher, and it's never been such a touchy subject..
On
one hand, there are still opponents to the concept of kids "lifting
weights." On the other hand, kids of all ages are jumping, running,
tumbling, falling… all activities requiring them to bear their own
weight – plus inertia and gravity – at high speed. Do the math: a
12-year-old jumping off a 3-foot snowbank absorbs more than double
their bodyweight at impact. If you're a 135lbs 12-year-old, that's the
same as back squatting 297lbs safely!
While
repetitive high-impact exercise can cause joint dominance issue, these
are very different than acute stress injuries. The best way to avoid
these kinds of problems? Build a well-balanced, strong, flexible kid. Wayne
Gretzky didn't skate in the summer; he was a baseball pitcher. Most
high-level athletes started out doing several sports at once. We
routinely ask high-level athletes which sports they participated in as
kids; the answers are usually gymnastics (tumbling,) martial arts, or
dance. The
best way to produce a good athlete: give them lots of variety at a
young age. The best way to keep a person fit for life? Introduce them
to fun exercise at a young age involving a wide variety. These form the
backbone of our Catalyst Kids program.
who know how to exercise properly from a young age are far less likely
to suffer any athletic injury when they're older. They're less likely
to do dumb stuff in a school weight room, or spend all their time
obsessing about their "six-pack" when they're in a gym. Got a daughter?
Start thinking about ways to avoid an eating disorder. They're becoming
more popular, not less. Isn't it better to promote a lifestyle where
fitness is based on achievement instead of aesthetic? We think so.
Teen (Age 12-15) CrossFit Group – Tuesdays or Wednesdays at 7pm Starts October 27!
$60 for 6 weeks!