| EliteFTS

Although I’ve been coaching Brandt’s brother Dean for years, leading into this meet on July 1st was the first opportunity I’ve had to work with Brandt. Brandt has already been lifting for years with his Dad, Chris, in their garage, and competed in our CECO Deadlift Fundraiser, but this was the first time he decided to compete in a full meet.

While Dean is very calculated and calm, Brandt is very outgoing and was yelling the classic Ronnie Coleman line “Light weight Baby!” before each lift. It was super entertaining. He already has great technique as well.

Brandt squatted 47.5 kgs/104.7 lbs, benched 30 kgs/66.1 lbs, and deadlifted 65 kgs/143.3 lbs (missing only his 3rd attempt bench) at a bodyweight of only 35.5 kgs/78 lbs! Thank you to CTX Barbell and I-4 Fit Longwood for hosting the meet, all of the spotters, loaders and judges as well as everyone from OBB who came to help and show their support!

It seems whenever I post videos of Brandt or Dean I get a slew of unsolicited advice. I just want to inform the critics that I’ve been personal training clients for over 26 years. I’ve trained hundreds and hundreds of clients, both in person and online, from 8 years old to 75 years old. All have increased their strength; none have ever been injured.

Kids are very resilient and receive less impact and chance of injury from lifting than from the running and jumping involved in most sports. Dean has also grown over a foot since I started training him, so that easily dispels the myth that weight lifting stunts growth.

As long as the kids are having fun then that's what's most important to me.