Thoughts on powerlifting

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Jun 14, 2016
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My dd was asked to join the powerlifting team at her school. Anybody had any experience with this. I worry she's going to hurt herself but it would be something different to do then softball.


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May 22, 2015
410
28
Illinois
Does she have any previous lifting experience? Dependent on her age, I would think it will be beneficial provided certain criteria are met. First and foremost the coach needs to know what he is doing. If the team doesn't have a history of injuries and he focuses on proper form then your over the biggest hurdle. I am not personally a fan of young kids lifting to failure or doing a 1 rep max, but if they are coached properly and concentrate on form I think injuries would be kept to a minimum. I weight train 3 days a week, and generally on those days my 12 (soon to be 13) year old DD works out with me. Last year was all body weight stuff, this year we have incorporated some dumbell work, and probably next year will introduce the barbell a little bit.
 
Jun 14, 2016
270
0
The school has a good reputation and the coach has been working with her in PE and says she is strong and has good form. My biggest concern is her not getting injured. Would this have the potential for helping her in softball.? She just turned 15 and has never done weightlifting before.


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Jun 11, 2012
741
63
DD sees a personal trainer once a week and does a weight routine with him focusing on core, arms, legs etc.
I don't know much about power lifting but if her core is not strong enough she could get injured. I would think a weightlifting program with or without a trainer would be more beneficial and have less chance of injury than power lifting
 
May 23, 2015
999
63
Does she wan't to be a powerlifter or softball player? I would strongly suggest that she take yoga or Pilates while powerlifting if she plans on continuing softball or any other athletic sport. Otherwise she will lose much needed flexibility
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
I have a couple of players who are competitive lifters in HS. Both are small girls, but are extremely strong and crush the ball. Would not have the type of success in SB were in not for the lifting. Loss of flexibility is definitely not an issue for them.
 
Last edited:
Jun 14, 2016
270
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My dd actually met a girl on her travel team last night who is a powerlifter and has won state so very competitive. She also crushes the ball and is fast so I don't think it hurt her. I think I'm going to leave it up to her, my main concern was risk of injury.


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Nov 3, 2012
480
16
Generally, power lifting will help more than hurts. A good power lifting coach will also incorporate flexibility with stretching, bands, etc. But not all coaches do it right. I would make sure DD or young softball player has some knowledge and is aware of the flexibility side.

My DD took a weights class this year at her high school. I was a little worried when she said they are doing squats, dead lifts and bench press, but do some other stamina and strength exercises like battle ropes. But she seems to be getting stronger, and is hitting the ball harder in practice and when she pitches, she's consistently near her top speed and maybe added a MPH to her velocity.

This summer we were using the Barry Lovelace "pitchers pop training video", which emphasizes using bands and developing the core. Its really good and designed to be safer than free weights and promotes flexibility. The problem was due to busy summer schedule and DD not motivated to work out by herself, we only did the training once or twice a week and never could get any consistency. The good thing about the high school class is she is motivated by peers and has the consistency of doing it every day. I tried to get my DD to ask the weights coach if she could incorporate or substitute some of the pitchers pop training excercises, but she said it doesn't work that way. They get graded on if they improve on the free weights exercises.
 
Jun 14, 2016
270
0
Thanks for the info, I will definitely look into the flexibility part of it. Good to hear about the pitching too, because I was hoping it may help her in that area too.


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