Youth Conditioning, Endurance and Strength Training - How Important Is It?

With the onset of obesity and overall lack of physical activity in the current youth population, it has become even more evident to focus on youth conditioning and exercise and its impact on future generations.  Technology, unfortunately, has created a very lazy child, as well as the elimination of most physical education programs in elementary, middle schools, and even some high schools.  Kids these days are just eating way too much, and exercising way too little.  Parents are challenged, given the decision, as to what programs to encourage their children to participate in, that are safe and effective to keeping the youth healthy and vibrant.  With youth conditioning, it needs to be a conscious choice as to more endurance, more strength training, or a balance of the two programs.  How important is it? 


As a child matures, a supervised strength training program can begin at the age of 7-9 years, for both boys and girls. These programs need to focus on basic athleticism which includes, strength, balance and agility, using a variety of body weight movements and exercises such as pushups, bear crawls, stork and duck walks, and inch worms.  Less should be focused on heavy lifting through the use of dumbbells, barbells, and other more advanced methods of strength training.
Boys might be preparing for high school and college athletics, therefore advanced functional body weight movements and incorporating training tools such as kettlebells, balance discs, and weight equipment is optimum.  The reasons for this are the need to develop overall athletic skills which prepare the body for sports at a competitive level.  Movements and exercises that engage the neuromuscular system in repetitive patterns of athletic type actions will prepare a young athlete to perform at his or her best safely, and naturally.

Girls, on the other hand, need a similar introduction to strength conditioning, however their focus should include joint strength and stabilization exercises for the upper body, and the use of body weight to build strength, endurance, stability in the lower body joints, and making it fun.  If the youth feels good about fitness, chances are they will maintain their program into their later years, and their health will benefit overall.

The endurance portion of any youth conditioning program is the most challenging for any program director.  Most youths tire quickly, or have a wealth of excuses as to why they cannot run or jump.  It is essential to have a health screening and doctors' assessment prior to any endurance program, to make sure there are no red flags for continuing with the exercise.  At any given chronologic age, children differ not only in their biologic age and physical maturity but also in their psychological attitude. Psychological factors are important when determining children's readiness for sport and exercise, their degree of involvement, and their enjoyment. If the youth were to begin in a slow and safe manner, they will surely continue and reap the benefits of the program.  Endurance for children is progression with each child, paying attention to the needs of the youth, and creating an effective program in accordance with each person.


Youth conditioning, both endurance and strength training is vital in today's society.  This is, by far, the most important population and deserves our greatest attention.


Railyard Fitness is an obstacle course that allows kids to build muscular endurance, muscular strength, and cardiovascular endurance while they have fun. The obstacle course allows youth to train while focusing on their body function, giving them the ability to perform sports movements safely and with confidence. View more information about the benefits of the Railyard obstacle course for youth exercise.