The Youth of Today.......

Here's a recent article I wrote on my thoughts of an ever increasing problem facing our younger generation. I've included a quick video of a group of 14 year olds who train at our facility.... see what you think.



The Trouble with the Youth of Today!


Now just before you all run forth with the hate mail, hear me out. I’m not talking about the loutish, anti-social, ASBO collecting behaviour we see every day portrayed in the media. I’m not in fact talking in a negative way about our young generation at all. As a certified strength coach and ex-athlete who happens to coach and train many children from the age of 12 upwards, my concern is with the exercise (more to the point, the lack of) that they currently do.

Let me tell you a quick story ….

A client of mine is a PE teacher. He tells me that due to a child falling from a small balance beam (about 12”) and breaking his ankle the school can no longer do any activity that has the children about the floor. It seems the school was sued by the boys parents.

What are the implications here?

No gymnastics certainly.

What about jumping? Playing basketball? Volleyball? Netball?

I’ll tell you where it ends. Children will grow up heavier than they’ve ever been before, weaker than they’ve ever been before , more unhealthy, have less bone density; does this sound familiar? It should do, it’s happening right now. Active 13, 14 and 15 year old kids are coming to me unable to squat because of weakness and poor posture, unable to do one correct push-up without collapsing, and none of them even attempt a bodyweight pull-up/chin-up.

Who’s to blame for this?

After speaking to my PE teacher client you couldn’t blame him. He wants to teach his pupils bodyweight exercises and gymnastics techniques, but is forbidden by his bosses and the local authority. Speaking of which, where have all the adventure playgrounds gone? We used to go to the park to do chin-ups, pull-ups, climb ropes and swing on the monkey bars. My 3 year old son doesn’t want to go to the local swings because it’s too unstimulating for him! He’s much rather come into the gym and jump over hurdles and swing on our ropes and power rings, try to lift weights like Daddy.

We have to return to basics. We need to set these children stronger and fitter, or else we will have a nation of weak, fat, unhealthy children and young adults who will pretty much bankrupt the health system.

It’s not that far-fetched is it?


Paul