“They’re strong enough already.”
“I don’t want him to get too strong…”
“What about cardio and stretching?”
These are just a few of the concerns I’ve heard over the past two decades — and, more specifically, concerns about concerns raised by our Certified Pros.
Here’s the thing: before we can address any of it, we need to define strength — and the different types of strength — so the whole picture makes sense.
There’s more good-to-great information about strength training available today than ever before. But when it comes to the autism and neurodivergent population, it can be hard to distill what actually matters. The good news is this: the same principles that make strength training safe and effective for the neurotypical/general population apply just as much to our ASD/ND athletes.
So what are those principles, and how do we apply them using a best-practices approach that:
- Uses fundamental practices
- Individualizes those practices (within reason) for each athlete
Ask someone “What is strength?” or “What is strength training?” and you’ll often get answers that sound right but miss the mark. That gap in understanding is a big part of why we underestimate the profound impact resistance-focused exercise can have on physical, adaptive/behavioral, and cognitive abilities in the neurodivergent population.
Start by clearly defining strength training — and the different types of strength within it — and you’re immediately better equipped to break down the stigma around what is genuinely one of the most beneficial forms of exercise available.
This week’s Tuesday Training breaks down the two distinct types of strength, why each one matters for safe and effective training, and how to put these practices to work in your programs. I’ll walk through the answers — and you’ll get to see a few of my athletes putting it into action. 💪