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Coach James Lofton is offering something unique to the New River Valley ~ high-level strength and conditioning training for young athletes. Focusing on athletes ages 11 to 22, Lofton offers training tailored to young people who wish to improve their performance in chosen sports, as well as those who just want to feel better, stronger, more confident.
“Most young athletes have coaches who will teach them their sport, but they all would receive tremendous benefit from strength and conditioning done the right way,” says Lofton.
In a world where teens often feel they have little control – a coach determines if they get playing time, or a referee makes calls that can seem unfair – ”a gym workout is something young athletes can control,” Lofton continues. “You’re not waiting for someone else to call the shots. It’s on you. That’s empowering.”
Growing Up
A Virginia native, Lofton, 36, has been passionate about the benefits of weight training since he was in middle school. “When I was in 7th grade, my grandfather visited from Georgia and showed me some basic lifts at the gym,” he recalls. “Granddad was a hall-of-fame high school football coach. He preached good movement mechanics, full range of motion and hard work. Those are the same principles I use in my business.”
Lofton developed into a gifted athlete in his formative years, excelling in baseball, wrestling and track, but he was especially successful as a soccer player. He was selected as a high school All-American as a senior, and went on to play Division 1 soccer in college. Looking back, Lofton believes that part of his success as a high school athlete can be credited to his early and long-term commitment to getting bigger, stronger and faster in the weight room.
Here’s the secret of strength and conditioning: It’s not magic. “You could be the worst player on your team, but if you go to a weight room and follow best practices and work hard, you will improve your athleticism. The more you show up, the more returns you get.”
Youth Training
Lofton’s youth training program is offered after school hours on M-W-F at 460 Fitness in Blacksburg. The kids just have to show up, and Lofton provides the planning, programming, and – most importantly — the passion to help them unlock their potential.
If you’re a teen who wants to do better on the field, the mat or the court – do strength and conditioning. You want to improve your vertical jump? Do strength and conditioning. “Basically, this is the best investment any young athlete can make. The research is clear. Young people who do resistance training gain confidence, resilience and toughness and are less prone to injuries.”
What sets Lofton apart – aside from his generational knowledge of bodybuilding and athletics – is his access to one of the premier gyms in the nation. With this dedicated space to bring his programming to life, he is able to make huge strides as a training coach.
As a Level 2 CrossFit trainer and certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Lofton oversees the training of dozens of adults as general manager of 460 Fitness. He’s able to help them make dramatic differences in their health and wellness, and he knows young athletes can achieve life-changing results. Not to mention, the earlier they learn proper form and mechanics, the longer they can enjoy an injury-free career in their sport.
Lofton points to an article titled “Resistance Training for Children and Adolescents” in the June 2020 issue of Pediatrics, published by The American Academy of Pediatrics. It reports: “After years of research, it is now accepted that children and adolescents can increase strength with low injury rates if resistance training is well-supervised with an emphasis on correct technique.”
To ensure that his athletic clients emphasize correct technique, Lofton creates weight-training plans that emphasize well-rounded physiology and mobility. His plans focus on improving performance in the athlete’s sport of choice, as well as counteracting imbalances and weaknesses that can occur with repeated sports training. “For example, soccer players can be very quadricep-dominant because of the way they strike the ball, but hamstrings are the major driver when running, so making sure there is no imbalance reduces the risk of injury.”
“I loved working with Division 1 soccer players, but I also dream of reaching active youngsters like I was,” he adds. “I love the fact that the gym doesn’t discriminate. No matter your age, sport, gender or background, it’s one of the best investments you can make. It’s the best odds you’ll ever play because there is a guaranteed return on hard work.”
Text by Emily Kathleen Alberts
Photos courtesy of James Lofton
Photos courtesy of James Lofton
LoftonTraining@gmail.com
LoftonTraining.com
540-383-1081
