JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================<K" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?Ygedur֬>.BFGwZlj'ⵏZ_Чܙ!^מeo5{јDhȡGjԦVU z,]Ԧ 嬵55d0)s~TszIxAul:hʼn'ۿ\U 'DtKI9YV>Ax ݻV[H؎BS<*5{$Z ݕגisEwtCܑ@V٭MV[Tyas-Ǎ-cZK82@7,?p}<9P/=+)M]խccTM=Sn]ɧNF?*Te\cҳc6e!֬k=. O*Z ;|YT3+ܟ\Wh:tiiwHyvk~k2n6,3^@glg4결ݖ\^dv*,0G zV] iF{tear not only that weight training and competitive barbell sports carry far greater risks for injury than other sports young athletes engage in but also that lifting might stunt growth. Unfortunately, misplaced fears and lack of understanding of the true effects of early training are doing many young people a great disservice. Hopefully, after examining the following evidence, you will agree with the preponderance of research that shows weight training is a must for the serious athlete.<br>The clock is ticking<br><br>First, it s important to review the reasons why young athletes need to lift weights, especially in such BFS core lifts as the power clean and the squat. The primary reason is simply that more is expected from today s athletes, and this requires practicing their sports harder and longer at an earlier age. <br>My own conditioning program for skaters uses BFS core lifts such as the clean and the trap bar deadlift. These are  economical exercises, meaning that they work many muscle groups simultaneously, reducing the time my athletes need to spend