Reasons Youth Athletes Should Train With Sleds

Sled training has many benefits, especially with the youth athlete. Sled work will not only build strength and power, but it will also develop athleticism. Pushing and pulling a sled can also break up the monotony of doing the basics such as pushups, planks, and teaching squats and lunges with kids who may not have the strength and coordination to execute these exercises properly. Sled Work outs are full bodywork outs that tax the entire central

 nervous system working on coordination, muscle development, and mental toughness. Here are a few thoughts on why I like sleds.

1. Sleds have no eccentric (lowering) portion to the movement so you are able to recover faster and not deal with next day soreness.
2. A sled will help you recruit core muscles to help stabilize, transfer force from the lower to the upper body, and create better body awareness.
3. Allow you to train multi directionally to prepare the body for live game movements and develop the coordination to be able to control yourself.
4. Sled Pushing teaches triple extension, the basis of generating force in a safe manner for athletes with a low training age.
5. A Great way to train single leg strength and stability.
6. Sled training is a great way to train energy systems and improve conditioning.
7. Sleds teach kids to move a load quickly and develop fast twitch muscle fibers.
8. Helps teach proper running mechanics
9. When proper loads are used it is a great too for speed development
10. A Great way to induce competition in our training and keep kids engaged.