Parent progress reports
Plain-English updates on what your child is working on, how they are progressing and what comes next.
Youth performance · Ages 8–21
Build the athlete before the sport.
Age-appropriate strength, speed and movement training that follows Long-Term Athletic Development principles. Designed for growing bodies. Safe, structured and reported back to parents.
Real young athletes
Technique first. Load when it is earned.
Every clip is a real Workshop athlete, filmed with parents' permission. You can see the progression: bodyweight control first, then light load, then real strength.
For parents
Is strength training safe for children?
Yes, when it is properly coached. The old idea that lifting "stunts growth" is not supported by the research. The NSCA's position is that supervised strength training is safe and important for young people.
What matters is the coaching. Young athletes here learn to control their own body first. Load only goes on once technique is earned, and everything is matched to their stage of development, not their age group.
What we train
Six qualities every young athlete needs
Whatever their sport, these are the foundations that make young athletes faster, more robust and more confident.
Movement skill
Squat, hinge, lunge, push, pull, brace. Done well, every time.
Strength
Bodyweight first, then gradual load once technique has earned it.
Speed
Acceleration, top speed and sprint mechanics, coached properly.
Jumping and landing
Producing and absorbing force: key to performance and to knee health.
Agility
Braking, turning and reacting, on both sides of the body.
Confidence
Seeing their own numbers improve is a powerful thing for a young athlete.
The pathway
Three stages, one long-term plan
Each athlete is assessed at the start of every stage, so the plan follows how they are actually developing.
8–12
FoundationsMovement literacy, coordination and a broad multi-sport base. Game-based, fun and confidence-building.
From £38 / session · 1–2 a week
13–17
AcademySport-specific strength and power, speed and agility, and work to reduce injury risk through the growth years.
From £42 / session · 2–3 a week
18–21
Pre-EliteCompetition preparation, contrast and power training, and peaking for the events that matter.
From £45 / session · 3+ a week
What parents get
You will know exactly how they are doing
Parents get clear updates and real numbers that can be compared over time.
Benchmarks they can beat
Sprint, jump and agility testing on professional kit. Young athletes love seeing their own numbers improve.
Built around their sport
Rugby, hockey, football, swimming, boxing and more. The programme fits around their club and school training, not on top of it.
Questions
Parents usually ask
What age can my child start?
From age 8. The Foundations stage (8–12) is about movement skills and confidence, delivered through games and challenges.
Will they lift heavy weights?
Not until they have earned it. Young athletes start with bodyweight, control and technique. External load is added gradually, and only when their movement is good enough.
They already train a lot for their sport. Will this be too much?
The programme is planned around their existing club and school load. Often the right answer is fewer, better sessions, and reducing injury risk is a big part of the job.
Can you work with my child's school or club team?
Yes. Rob runs squad testing days and S&C blocks for schools and clubs. See the schools and clubs page.
How do we start?
Book a free consultation. Rob will talk to you and your child about their sport, goals and any injuries, then recommend a stage and a starting plan.
Give them a head start that lasts.
Book a free consultation for your child. You will both leave knowing where they are now and what the plan would be.