5 Signs Your Teen Needs More Than Just School Sports to Stay Healthy

A lot of parents think, “My kid plays a sport, so they’re set.” I get it. Sports are great, but here’s the thing most people don’t realize—school practices are not designed to build stronger, healthier kids. They’re designed to get through drills, run plays, and prepare for games. That leaves a huge gap in what teens actually need to stay healthy, avoid injuries, and feel confident. That’s where real strength training comes in.

Here are five signs your teen needs more than just practice:

1. They keep getting little injuries that don’t seem to go away.
Sprained ankles, sore knees, tight hips… you name it. A lot of times, that’s not “just sports.” It’s weak muscles, bad movement habits, and no one addressing the root cause. Strength training fixes that by teaching proper form and building the stabilizing muscles that keep kids healthy.

2. Practice isn’t making them stronger.
Skill work is important, but let’s be honest—most practices don’t make your teen any stronger. Without strength, speed and power hit a ceiling. Strength training is what gives athletes that extra gear—higher jumps, faster sprints, more resilience when the game gets tough.

3. Their confidence doesn’t match their potential.
Confidence doesn’t just show up on game day. It comes from seeing yourself improve and proving to yourself that you can do more than you thought. When a teen learns to lift properly, add weight, and see progress, it changes the way they carry themselves everywhere—school, sports, even at home.

4. They’re not into sports at all.
Not every teen is an athlete, and that’s okay. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need fitness. In fact, those kids often benefit the most. Strength training gives them a safe, structured place to build strength, get healthier, and feel good about themselves.

5. They’re not being challenged.
Some kids coast through practice because they’re already one of the better athletes. But if no one is pushing them in the weight room or holding them accountable, they’re leaving potential on the table. A personalized program forces them to grow instead of settling.

At Breakaway Fitness & Performance, that’s why we built our brand new Personal Training for Teens program. Small groups capped at 10 kids, 100% personalized training, and quarterly assessments to make sure the progress is real. This isn’t about babysitting your teen while they “get some exercise.” This is about making them stronger, healthier, and more confident so they can thrive on the field—or just in life.

If any of these signs sound familiar, it might be time to give your teen more than just practice. Spots are limited. Learn more and grab a spot at bfpnc.com/youth-training