Youth Fitness & Development Programs

Empower Your Young Athlete

Give your child, middle-schooler, or teenager the confidence to tackle whatever the world throws at them through fitness and development.

Our Empower Youth Fitness Programs in Vancouver are designed to develop strong, adaptable, resilient athletes with superior physical literacy. These programs are designed to meet the neurological and physiological needs of the each respective age group. Because these functional fitness movements are scalable, the athletes can safely train at their level.

Whether your child is just starting their fitness journey, is playing sports at a recreational level or is an experienced elite athlete, our programs will help them excel.

In the gym your young athlete will develop self-awareness, discipline, focus and perseverance that will help them overcome obstacles outside the gym. We want to help create a passion for fitness that your child will carry with them throughout their lives.

Group Classes, Small Group Training, and 1:1 Coaching for Youth

Choose from any of the following programs or call for a custom option

Youth fitness programs: varsity

For athletes aged 13-17

Varsity

Ages: 13-17

Prerequisites: Prior assessment

Start date: Monthly

Our Varsity program includes all weight lifting movements, gymnastics and metabolic conditioning. All weights are scaled appropriately to the correct stimulus and intensity for the athlete. We work on injury prevention and strong core conditioning in addition to providing a positive confidence building environment.

Prerequisites: Coach assessment and approval to ensure you can transition to Varsity classes safely and easily. One-to-one coaching sessions are available if needed to set you up for success in this program.

Register now and we'll arrange for an assessment at a time convenient for you prior to joining class.

Youth fitness programs: junior varsity

For athletes aged 8-12

Junior Varsity

Ages: 8-12

Prerequisites: None

Start date: Monthly

The Junior Varsity group learns all the foundational movements of CrossFit. This includes weight lifting, gymnastics and metabolic conditioning. The PVC pipe is an excellent tool for teaching complex movements like clean and jerks without load until the athlete is ready to handle a barbell. If you stop by during class time you might see us playing games like shoulder tap cone grab or tabata hot potato hollow holds. These games help develop the smaller stabilizing muscles as well as make it fun so the kids work hard without realizing it!

Prerequisites: none at this time. All youth athletes welcome. Athletes who have participated in Junior Varsity can graduate to Varsity level when they age up.

Youth fitness programs: homeschool PE

For young athletes on an alternative education path

Homeschool PE

Ages: 9-17

Prerequisites: None

Start date: April 2

Homeschool PE is a CrossFit-based program that incorporates cardio, strength training, and gymnastics movements for complete body conditioning. All weights are scaled appropriately to the correct stimulus and intensity for the athlete.

We work on injury prevention and strong core conditioning in addition to providing a positive confidence-building environment. Best of all, we have fun doing it, by incorporating partner workouts and games.

Youth fitness programs: team training

For teams between seasons

Team Training

Ages: 9-18

Prerequisites: None

Start date: Let's talk!

Empower offers dryland training for teams that are coming off the ice, out of the pool or are in between seasons. Bring your team in for strength and conditioning sessions and set them up for success when they return to sport.

Talk to us to set up a training program for your team.

Youth fitness programs: personal training

For all athletes aged 8-17

Youth Personal Training

Ages: 8-17

Prerequisites: None

Start date: Let's talk!

Our Youth Personal Training program is custom built to support the needs of your athlete. These custom programmed sessions can be built to support youth athletes in specific sports with a focus on strengthening, injury prevention, and injury recovery.

Personal training can be done 1:1 or in small groups (1:2, 1:3, 1:4, etc.) so kids can train with their friends.

Whether the group class time doesn’t fit your schedule, your athlete works better one-on-one, or your elite athlete is looking for more specific training, we are here to help meet those needs.

Youth Fitness Program Calendar

Our Coaches Talk About How We Empower Youth Athletes

sports and personal growth

One Percent Better: The Quiet Journey to Confidence

April 24, 20253 min read

“Building confidence is an ongoing process and something that can be accomplished over time.” – Susan C. Young

youth confidence building

Thought of the Day


Discipline and confidence tend to go hand in hand. I’ve watched many athletes, both young and old, build confidence through discipline. These individuals weren’t always the best when they started, but because they were disciplined and consistent, they elevated themselves. In the process, they became better versions of who they were. You don’t need to be the most amazing athlete, writer, or [insert your goal here]. You just need to keep showing up and striving to get one percent better.

In our Empower Youth program, we’ve seen many children come through over the last decade. It’s amazing to see them apply the same discipline they learned in the gym to their university studies, other sports and activates, or as they enter the workforce. Confidence is powerful, and fostering the right habits pays off in the long run.

Sometimes, when these athletes first come into the gym, they’re intimidated by what’s written on the board. But after many victories against the workout of the day, you can see them walk in with their heads held high. The number of times I’ve heard, “I can’t do it, Coach,” only to watch them accomplish what they once thought was impossible—it’s incredibly inspiring.

If you want your child to be confident, don’t hand them the easy route. Support them in being consistent and disciplined. This seemingly small step helps them build the competence and confidence they’ll need for everyday life. Confidence should always be earned, not given. Help your child earn theirs today.

You don’t need to be the best athlete, writer, or [insert goal here]. You just need to keep showing up and striving for one percent better. Your process to build confidence can start today.

 

Thursday

H: 00 - 02 Intro (2-3 min)

 

H: 03-10 Warm up (5 min)

 

Wrist rotation, shoulder rotation, arm rotation(small and large)

Elevated triceps and lats stretch

 

With an empty barbell:

Single leg RDL, wide grip deadlift, mini snatch pull, snatch to overhead, overhead squat. (Note: it is power snatch in this workout, but it is safer to warm up to squat full depth).

 

H: 10-15 Tech (5 min)

 

  • Power snatch: pay attention to your starting position; 2 sets of 3s to build up your workout weight

 

  • Pull-ups: give yourself some time to just hanging on the bar, do some scapular raises and give 3 reps of pull-ups or ring rows

 

  • Burpees

 

H: 15(-18) WOD

 

For time:

40 pull-up

40 burpees

20 power snatches

(Time cap 15 min)

Rest 3 min

 

For time:

30 pull-ups

30 burpees

15 power snatches

(Time cap 10 min)

Rest 2 min

 

For time:

20 pull-ups

20 burpees

10 power snatches

 (Time cap 5 min)

75 lb

115 lb

 

Notice that you will have a time cap for each session.

If you finished before time cap, take the 3 (2) min rest, then move on to the next session.

 

Scale options:

Perform 20-15-10 pull-ups/ring rows

Perform 20-15-10 burpees or use an elevated platform instead of lowering to the ground

 

Other weight options:

65/35 lb

95/45 lb

 

H: 50 Scoring and cooling down (5 min)

 

youth confidence buildingempowering young athletesdiscipline and self-improvementconfidence through consistencyone percent better mindsetyouth fitness programsbuilding confidence in childrengym discipline for life skillssports and personal growthcoaching youth athletesVancouver FitnessVancouver Personal TrainingYouth Fitness
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Coach Leon

Leon will help you create a fitness practice that will allow you to excel at the activities you enjoy inside and outside of the gym. Leon started coaching at Delta Kaigan Judo Club in 2007, branching out into leading personal safety and fear management courses. Leon competes in CrossFit, Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has been coaching CrossFit since 2012.

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Infusing Students With a Belief in Themselves

"While Coach Barb’s knowledge and enthusiasm are immediately apparent, it is her unique way of connecting with young people that really sets her apart. Not only does she keep them engaged and interested, but her calm confidence in their abilities infuses them with a belief in themselves. Thanks to Coach Barb’s support, we have seen our teenage son push towards accomplishments he might otherwise avoid. And he loves every minute of it!"

-Chris H.

Transformed Athletic Ability

"My children attend ELEV8 and Varsity classes with Barb (Coach OG). For my younger son, working with Barb has transformed his athletic ability. Barb is an intuitive coach who has supported him in gaining his confidence in the gym and this has transferred to school as well. Both kids look forward to attending their classes!"

-Carmine S.

Empower

Contact Us

235-2083 Alma Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

info@empowereverybody.com

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