Lets Get Un-Serious

By Tony Gentilcore
April 2008

Below is an excerpt from an article that my good friend Eric Cressey wrote titled “What I Learned in 2007". 

In an old interview with Brian Grasso, Bill Hartman provided an example that resonates in my mind:

"Let me use an example of a rehab program that I developed for a 10 year old who just had a cast removed after an elbow fracture. He has two primary issues: decreased elbow range of motion and decreased arm strength. Now if he was an adult, we would have just put him on a treatment table and stretch the soft-tissues of the elbow and work on strength with typical strength training exercises. You can't do that with a kid. It hurts and it's boring, so you end up with a lousy outcome.

"Here's what we did:

"To increase elbow range of motion and shoulder stability we played tug-o-war and had bear and crab crawl races. We did overhead medicine ball throws and did wheelbarrow walks where he would walk on his hands while I supported his feet. He played army man and slithered across the floor like a snake to force him to bend his elbow. We even worked on some PNF diagonals by having nerf sword fights. The entire time he was busy and interested in what he was doing. He thought we were playing, yet we accomplished his goals of normal range of motion and strength in just a couple of weeks."

Take-Home Message: Good therapists, trainers, and strength coaches always find a way to keep you moving, having fun, and making progress. Also, in spite of being smarter than any robot on Earth, Bill Hartman still knows how to entertain kids.

I’m not going to lie, I want to train with Bill Hartman after reading that.  I think this sends a great message to trainers, as well as parents.  In regards to trainers, I think we often forget that kids could care less about things like one rep maxes or VO2 max.  They’re kids for crying out loud!  Likewise, I think parents tend to get a bit too overzealous when it comes to their child’s athletic development.  I understand that you want the best for your kid, but come on; sending them to specialized facilities that focus on speed training when they’re ten is a bit much.

I train a group of 10-12 year olds on the weekends and while we do work on squat technique and/or deadlift technique, the majority of the time I just keep them moving by performing various circuits that include things like jumping jacks, med ball throws, lunges, and wheelbarrow medleys, etc.  We also have tug-o-war battles and SUMO wrestling where I have them grab onto a SWISS ball and try to maneuver each other outside of a circle.  All in all, we have fun while at the same time improving their motor skills. That is what’s most important.  I don’t want the kids to dread coming to the gym, which is what I think happens when trainers and parents start taking it too seriously.  There’s going to come a time when things will get more specialized.  I just think it’s absurd when it starts at the age of ten.

Fit Tips Links

Fit Tips Home

The Pediatrics Now Fit Tips Team