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

raising strong kids

Building Grit in a Soft World: The Fight for Our Youth’s Resilience

May 15, 20253 min read


“Whatever is in me is stronger than what is out there to defeat me.” – Caroline Myss

Thought of the Day

Today, it seems that one of the major things missing for our youth is grit. I’ve heard from parents, grandparents, and coaches how the instant gratification of high-speed internet and TV on demand has made many in the next generation a little softer. They're often unwilling to challenge themselves and, much like adults, afraid to step out of their comfort zones.

When we’re so used to having what we want on demand and not needing to work very hard to get it, how do we build mental resilience?

Think back to the moments that truly shaped you. Were they when everything was going well, or when you faced a challenge? It’s important that we challenge ourselves in appropriate ways and come out the other side better for it.

In CrossFit, each day presents a new challenge. It pushes us physically, but also equips us with the strength to overcome obstacles outside the gym. Doing something difficult is the only way to grow and build resilience.

Working with youth, I’ve seen many breakthroughs—shifting from an “I can’t” mindset to a “can do” attitude. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it can be built over time with the right guidance and opportunities.

What will help us—and the young people in our lives—is mental resilience and a growth mindset. These qualities don’t come by accident or from an “easy button.” They are developed intentionally.

How will you challenge yourself today?
Will it be by stepping into the gym and tackling a tough workout?
Or by deliberately choosing to do something outside your comfort zone?

Growth and resilience live outside of comfort. Let’s help ourselves and those who look up to us by setting the example.

Learning and growing is the path to becoming capable of facing any challenge. For your kids, make sure they have the opportunity to face controlled challenges, experience victories, and see themselves as powerful.

Put down the easy button. Forget the quick fixes. Help them develop grit through mental resilience and a growth mindset built through training. It’s not about perfection but about getting a little better and tackling slightly bigger challenges each day.

Thursday

H: 03-09 Warm up (6 min)

Upper body stretch with a band:

Facing away from the bar; to the side with one hand overhead;

Face pull; both hands in the loop, stretch back muscles

 

Leg stretches and muscle activation:

plank to touching toes; the greatest stretch; hamstring stretch;

hip flexor

 

H: 10-22 Tech (12 min)

Row

  • Leg-drive; the same moving speed for legs and shoulders

  • Row 1 min

Power snatch

  • Wide-grip deadlift

  • Snatch mini pull

  • Power snatch

https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/the-power-snatch

 

H: 23 (25) WOD

Every 5 minutes for 5 rounds:

5 power snatches

400/500-meter row

Rest with the remaining time in the interval.

 

Stagger the start with 2 min if more than 6 people in the class

 

Notes from TW:

  • Select a weight that allows you to finish 5 power snatches around 2 min when fresh;

  • The same 2 min principle applies to the rower;

  • Make sure you have at least 30s to rest between rounds.

 

H: 50 Cool down (5 min)

mental resilience in youthhow to build grityouth development through challengegrowth mindset for kidsCrossFit and mental toughnessteaching resilience to childrengrit vs instant gratificationraising strong kidscomfort zone and growthmindset coaching for youthYouth FitnessVancouver Personal TrainingVancouver 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

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235-2083 Alma Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

info@empowereverybody.com

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