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Building the Foundation Early: How Speed, Agility, and Confidence Come Together in the PowerStrength Youth Academy
When parents think about performance training, the picture often looks the same: heavy weights, crowded rooms, and programs built for High School athletes—not younger kids.
That assumption is exactly why the PowerStrength Youth Academy exists.
As PowerStrength prepares to expand their youth program and open 2 brand-new facilities dedicated exclusively to Youth training, the mission is clear: give young athletes the right start, at the right time, with training designed specifically for their stage of development.
For Amanda Patterson, mother of 9-year-old Jack, that distinction made all the difference.
CONFIDENCE BOOST
When Amanda first brought Jack to PowerStrength, strength gains were not the priority.
“I think I was looking more for somewhere that could help build his confidence,” she explained. “He’s 9. It’s not about getting super strong or buff. It’s about laying a foundation for further in life and building confidence—knowing he can do hard things.”
Jack, a baseball and tennis athlete, isn’t the biggest or strongest kid on the court. What he needs isn’t heavier weights—it is belief, movement skill, and a place where he can grow at his own pace.
YOUTH TRAINING IS NOT MINI VARSITY TRAINING
At PowerStrength, Youth athletes are not treated like scaled-down Varsity players. The Youth Academy focuses on:
- Speed and agility development
- Proper movement patterns and technique
- Coordination and reaction time
- Age-appropriate strength foundations
- Confidence and enjoyment in training
“It’s not all about lifting heavy weights,” Amanda said. “It’s about speed, agility, teaching form and technique, and tailoring everything to the individual kid.”
That individualized approach is intentional—and rare.
SMALL GROUPS. INDIVIDUAL FOCUS.
One of the biggest reasons PowerStrength stood out to the Patterson family was the small-group training environment.
“There are a lot of options out there,” Amanda said. “But PowerStrength really focuses on the youth aspect. Jack is a smaller athlete, so he’s going to require something completely different than another kid. At this age, you need specialized, individualized training.”
In the Youth Academy, athletes train in small groups where certified coaches can adjust drills, loads, and progressions for each athlete—not just manage a room full of kids doing the same workout.
That level of attention creates faster development and, just as importantly, confidence.
CONFIDENCE THAT CARRIES OVER EVERYWHERE
The most noticeable changes Amanda has seen haven’t just shown up in Jack’s speed or agility—they’ve shown up in how he carries himself.
“We’ve seen a huge shift in his confidence,” she said. “Tennis is such an individual sport, and before, he was kind of timid. Now you can see him out there thinking, ‘I can do this.’”
That confidence hasn’t stayed on the court.
“His confidence at home and at school has grown tremendously,” Amanda added. “He’s raising his hand more in class. He’s taking chances. That was something he wasn’t doing before.”
This is one of the defining goals of the PowerStrength Youth Academy: helping kids understand that they can do hard things.
STARTING EARLIER ISN’T RISKY—IT’S SMART
Like many parents, Amanda initially wondered if Jack was too young to start.
“I was worried—Is it too soon?” she said. “But once we realized it’s not heavy lifting and every kid doing the same thing, it really eased our minds.”
In fact, she now wishes Jack had started sooner.
“He probably could have started a couple of years earlier to really build that foundation,” she said. “The kids who start earlier and create a love for movement—they carry that into adulthood. Those healthy habits start now.”
That philosophy is the backbone of the Youth Academy: movement first, strength later, performance long-term.
A SPACE BUILT JUST FOR YOUTH ATHLETES
As PowerStrength launches its new Youth facilities, the environment will reflect exactly what families like the Pattersons value.
“I love that parents aren’t in the sessions,” Amanda shared. “This is his time. He can work hard without looking over his shoulder. I know he’s safe, supported, and getting a great workout.”
Progress reports, coach communication, and measurable improvements keep parents involved—while allowing athletes to own their development.
“He sees the results,” Amanda said. “And that motivates him to keep going.”
FROM YOUTH ACADEMY TO HIGH SCHOOL
The Youth Academy isn’t separate from PowerStrength’s High School training—it’s the foundation for it.
Amanda does not doubt that Jack will continue as he gets older.
“Oh, absolutely,” she said. “He loves the culture. He feels supported. He sees results translating to his sport. When baseball season comes, I know it’ll show up there too.”
That long-term pathway—from Youth Academy to Freshman, JV, and Varsity development—is what puts PowerStrength athletes ahead of the competition before it even begins.
POWERSTRENGTH IS THE FOUNDATION
When asked to sum it all up, Amanda didn’t hesitate.
“PowerStrength lays the groundwork,” she said. “It sets kids up for success later in life and helps them build a love for movement and taking care of their bodies.”
That is the mission of the PowerStrength Youth Academy—and why starting early isn’t just an advantage. It’s a game-changer.
GET STARTED WITH THE POWERSTRENGTH YOUTH ACADEMY
If you have a child in 1st–7th grade and want them to build confidence, speed, coordination, and long-term athletic foundations before the competition ramps up, the PowerStrength Youth Academy is where that journey begins.
Join the Academy Insider list HERE to receive updates, early access, and special upcoming youth programs.