I have 3 kids 11/13/15 that are playing club soccer and volleyball. Do anyone have any recommendations in the Austin area for summer training programs for "athletes". I have no illusion that they will be college level players, but want them to learn how to maximize their abilities.

Honestly, take them to a good CrossFit spot.

My 9 year old started taking classes at cross fit central and I have seen huge improvements with coordination, strength and explosion in just a couple months. They are well rounded workouts that really build functional fitness

CrossFit can get a bad reputation but a good CrossFit gym is the best option for overall fitness IMO.

CrossFit earns their reputation for injuries. I treat plenty of injured athletes from these gyms. There are better and safer options.

aggiederelict said:

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CrossFit earns their reputation for injuries. I treat plenty of injured athletes from these gyms. There are better and safer options.

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There are bad CrossFit spots but many are amazing. I have seen both sides. At the end of the day whether it's CrossFit, marathons, BJJ, etc. if you are training hard you risk injury.

I treat athletes from all disciplines. CrossFit are the most injured i see in my clinic followed by runners. There is a reason why many boxes have in house professionals on site to treat these people.

aggiederelict said:

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I treat athletes from all disciplines. CrossFit are the most injured i see in my clinic followed by runners. There is a reason why many boxes have in house professionals on site to treat these people.

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I don't doubt you. I know I have seen very irresponsible boxes that push harder than they should and teach exercises before people are ready. I have also seen amazing boxes that do a great job of building a foundation while modifying workouts to each person's ability/ needs.

A lot of people do CrossFit I'm sure there are a lot of injuries. I have been healthier than ever since switching from body building type workouts to CrossFit.

Been doing CrossFit and variations for 13 years. Like 4-6 days a week. A good program with good coaching matters. In all that time, my Heath improved considerably, I am in great condition for my age, my mobility and endurance is good, and I've been injured basically once, besides the little dings and such that any athlete gets. I did have a random pretty good pull of a lower back muscle doing an 80% deadlift once, and that took a while to recover, but I did recover and got stronger.

I also once blew out my ACL and meniscus….downhill skiing. I had a replacement and repair surgery and was basically back at the gym in weeks and flew through physical therapy. I was discharged at basically full strength in 9 months which is really fast for my age.

It isn't for everyone. It can get obsessive and cultish. It requires a level of personal dedication to doing what the coaches tell you to do. It is usually pricey. But it isn't a given at all that you will be hurt by CrossFit if you are in a good program, and it can make you generally considerably faster and stronger if you are in a good program with good coaching.

I also go to Central, but the Burnet location. They do various racing and fitness competition training there, in addition.

If you are training for a specific sport, sometimes you have to seek out specialist coaching to make big progress. They will work on drills that improve specific aspects of ability important to a sport:

Check out Train 4 the Game. Also agree that sport specific trainers can be really helpful.

A good CrossFit gym is great for the offseason. I'm in my 7th year coaching CrossFit here in Austin. We aren't a competitive gym compared to some, but we do emphasize form. I've worked with all types because we get all types from former athletes to the software engineer that has never been in a PE Class. Today, we just had a lady in her mid 50's deadlift the most she's ever done in our 5:00 class.

Do people get hurt? Sure. Here and there but it's usually a nagging injury that heals on its own by simply backing off the weight or modifying a workout to something else for that athlete. The only major injury I recall at our location that required surgery was from one of our athletes that was lifting on his own during open gym. I always harped on his technique and while in my class, he performed to my standard. He was doing a squat program outside of our classes during open gym and didn't have a coach correcting his form. I've competed in just about every sport throughout the years. I get slight injuries playing intramurals like softball and kickball.

Aggiederilect is right that some places have someone on their staff that treats but we don't. We have a chiropractor in his mid 50's but I don't know of any of our members going to see him. He's pretty gung-ho about working out hard but lacks mobility. It's weird because he refuses to work on mobility, and he knows how important it is. Oh well, when no one is looking, he'll do heavy oly lifts "if he's feeling it", but usually he strays away from it.

Back to the kids. CrossFit is for strength, agility and overall athleticism. Most people get better at their sport because of it but for soccer you would still need to also have endurance training.

Teach them to play Jacks.

What gym are you at?

cityagboy said:

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What gym are you at?

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Voodoo CrossFit 512

Can't PM me but shoot me an email I have a speed trainer my boys use they both play too.

Jarrodd AT cedarparkinsurance.com

If you can get past the music they play, Sacrifice Training is great. They have specific trainers for just about every sport and it's hardcore. Also, while there are some MLB and NFL people who train there, there are a lot of kids who go as well.