FIT4FUNCTION Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) for youth athletes: group sessions
Why Youth Athletes Need Structured Strength & Conditioning And How FIT4FUNCTION Is Raising the Standard
Strength and conditioning for young athletes is no longer about lifting weights early or pushing performance too soon. When done properly, it is about developing movement skill, confidence, coordination, and resilience during the most important years of physical development.
Unfortunately, many young athletes are still exposed to one of three extremes: unsupervised gym training, large group sessions with limited individual coaching, or expensive one-to-one training that is inaccessible for many families. None of these options consistently provide the structure, safety, and long-term progression young athletes need.
The FIT4FUNCTION Youth Athletic Development Programme was created to bridge that gap.
What Quality Youth S&C Actually Looks Like
High-quality strength and conditioning coaching typically costs around £30 per session when delivered privately or in very small groups. This reflects the level of qualification, experience, and responsibility required when working with developing athletes.
At FIT4FUNCTION, we deliver that same professional standard of coaching within a small-group environment, making it more accessible without compromising on quality.
All sessions take place in a private training space, using state-of-the-art equipment, and are led by a fully qualified practitioner with experience working in professional sport, both at academy youth level and with senior professional athletes. This ensures every athlete trains in an environment that is safe, supportive, and appropriate for their age and stage of development.
More Than Just a Gym Session
Our youth sessions are not fitness classes and they are not generic gym workouts. Each session follows a structured format designed specifically for young athletes:
Mobility and movement preparation
Landing mechanics and jump technique
Progressive strength training
Sprint and power development
Core and trunk control
Ankle and calf capacity work
Progression is based on movement quality, control, and readiness, not simply age or how much weight an athlete can lift. This approach is especially important during periods of growth, where poorly managed training can increase injury risk and reduce confidence.
How FIT4FUNCTION Compares to Other Options
When parents explore strength and conditioning for their child, it can be difficult to understand the difference between offerings. Here’s how FIT4FUNCTION compares:
Standard gym classes often involve large groups, limited supervision, and no long-term progression.
Team training can be valuable, but large squad sizes often limit individual coaching and technical feedback.
One-to-one coaching provides excellent support, but at a cost that is often £30 or more per session.
FIT4FUNCTION combines the individual attention and expertise of private coaching with the accessibility of small-group training, typically costing £15–£20 per athlete per session.
What’s Included in Our Youth S&C Sessions
Every athlete attending a FIT4FUNCTION youth session receives:
Small group coaching, capped at a maximum of 8 athletes
A private training space where athletes feel safe and confident
Coaching from a qualified practitioner with professional sport experience
Age-appropriate strength, jump, sprint, and power development
Ongoing technical feedback and correction
Structured progressions rather than random workouts
A positive environment that builds confidence, discipline, and consistency
This creates a setting where athletes can train hard, learn properly, and enjoy the process of developing as an athlete.
Memberships and Added Value
To support consistency and long-term development, FIT4FUNCTION offers both pay-as-you-go sessions and monthly memberships.
Monthly memberships include free access to the online Youth Athletic Development Programme, allowing athletes to continue structured training away from in-person sessions. This includes additional strength, sprint, core, and mobility work to support development alongside school or club training.
By combining in-person coaching with online guidance, athletes benefit from a clear, consistent pathway rather than fragmented training.
Supporting Schools and Club Partnerships
The FIT4FUNCTION Youth Athletic Development Programme is also designed to support schools, academies, and sports clubs seeking a structured and professional approach to youth physical development.
Rather than relying on ad-hoc sessions or generic gym work, our pathway provides a long-term, age-appropriate framework that supports performance, reduces injury risk, and improves training standards across squads or year groups.
Partnership options can include:
Weekly or bi-weekly on-site S&C sessions
Block delivery during pre-season or development phases
Coach-led sessions with optional staff education
Annual programme licensing for clubs or schools
Each partnership is tailored to facility access, squad size, and competition demands, ensuring strength and conditioning complements sport-specific training rather than competing with it.
Building Better Athletes, Not Just Stronger Ones
Youth athletic development should prioritise long-term success, not short-term gains. By focusing on movement quality, progressive strength, and safe exposure to jumping and power, young athletes develop the foundations they need to perform well, stay healthy, and enjoy sport for years to come.
The FIT4FUNCTION Youth Athletic Development Programme exists to raise the standard of youth training and give athletes, parents, schools, and clubs confidence that training is being done the right way.
