Youth Fitness & Development Programs
Empower Your Young Athlete
Give your child, middle-schooler, or teenager the confidence to tackle whatever the world throws at them through fitness and development.
Our Empower Youth Fitness Programs in Vancouver are designed to develop strong, adaptable, resilient athletes with superior physical literacy. These programs are designed to meet the neurological and physiological needs of the each respective age group. Because these functional fitness movements are scalable, the athletes can safely train at their level.
Whether your child is just starting their fitness journey, is playing sports at a recreational level or is an experienced elite athlete, our programs will help them excel.
In the gym your young athlete will develop self-awareness, discipline, focus and perseverance that will help them overcome obstacles outside the gym. We want to help create a passion for fitness that your child will carry with them throughout their lives.
Group Classes, Small Group Training, and 1:1 Coaching for Youth
Choose from any of the following programs or call for a custom option
For athletes aged 8-12 and 13-17
Summer Varsity
Start date: July 2 and August 6, 2025
Classes run on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4–5pm. The programming includes all weight lifting movements, gymnastics and metabolic conditioning.
All weights are scaled appropriately to the correct stimulus and intensity for the athlete. We work on injury prevention and strong core conditioning in addition to providing a positive confidence building environment.
Prerequisites: all senior varsity athletes must have pre-approval or attend a 1:1 session with Coach Leon prior to attending a Varsity class.
This assessment and review of movements allows the athlete to transition into the group setting easily and sets them up for success in the program.
For athletes aged 13-17
Varsity
Ages: 13-17
Prerequisites: Prior assessment
Start date: September 2025
Our Varsity program includes all weight lifting movements, gymnastics and metabolic conditioning. All weights are scaled appropriately to the correct stimulus and intensity for the athlete. We work on injury prevention and strong core conditioning in addition to providing a positive confidence building environment.
Prerequisites: Coach assessment and approval to ensure you can transition to Varsity classes safely and easily. One-to-one coaching sessions are available if needed to set you up for success in this program.
Register now and we'll arrange for an assessment at a time convenient for you prior to joining class.
For athletes aged 8-12
Junior Varsity
Ages: 8-12
Prerequisites: None
Start date: September 2025
The Junior Varsity group learns all the foundational movements of CrossFit. This includes weight lifting, gymnastics and metabolic conditioning. The PVC pipe is an excellent tool for teaching complex movements like clean and jerks without load until the athlete is ready to handle a barbell. If you stop by during class time you might see us playing games like shoulder tap cone grab or tabata hot potato hollow holds. These games help develop the smaller stabilizing muscles as well as make it fun so the kids work hard without realizing it!
Prerequisites: none at this time. All youth athletes welcome. Athletes who have participated in Junior Varsity can graduate to Varsity level when they age up.
For young athletes on an alternative education path
Homeschool PE
Ages: 9-17
Prerequisites: None
Start date: September 10
Homeschool PE is a CrossFit-based program that incorporates cardio, strength training, and gymnastics movements for complete body conditioning. All weights are scaled appropriately to the correct stimulus and intensity for the athlete.
We work on injury prevention and strong core conditioning in addition to providing a positive confidence-building environment. Best of all, we have fun doing it, by incorporating partner workouts and games.
Early bird pricing ends August 25.
For teams between seasons
Team Training
Ages: 9-18
Prerequisites: None
Start date: Let's talk!
Empower offers dryland training for teams that are coming off the ice, out of the pool or are in between seasons. Bring your team in for strength and conditioning sessions and set them up for success when they return to sport.
Talk to us to set up a training program for your team.
For all athletes aged 8-17
Youth Personal Training
Ages: 8-17
Prerequisites: None
Start date: Let's talk!
Our Youth Personal Training program is custom built to support the needs of your athlete. These custom programmed sessions can be built to support youth athletes in specific sports with a focus on strengthening, injury prevention, and injury recovery.
Personal training can be done 1:1 or in small groups (1:2, 1:3, 1:4, etc.) so kids can train with their friends.
Whether the group class time doesn’t fit your schedule, your athlete works better one-on-one, or your elite athlete is looking for more specific training, we are here to help meet those needs.
Our Coaches Talk About How We Empower Youth Athletes
From Shenanigans to Strength: The Power of Learning the Hard Way
“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” – Henry Ford
Thought of the Day
Over the weekend, I attended my high school reunion. While there weren’t many of us in attendance—and we’ve now been graduated longer than we were ever in school—it was fun to see how much we’ve all grown and changed. Even funnier was reliving some of the shenanigans from the past. Reminiscing about those moments made me wonder how we even made it this far into adulthood.
But I think the coolest part was seeing how those of us who struggled back in school are now living full lives and truly thriving in ways we never could have imagined over twenty years ago. From doctors and lawyers to school board facilitators and gym owners, our little troubled graduating class has produced some incredible people.
Sure, we made plenty of mistakes along the way—but it's amazing to see how those very mistakes helped shape us into who we are today. In life, in the gym, and at work, you're going to make mistakes. Try to learn from them, and don’t repeat the same ones. Share your experiences so others can grow too. This idea comes straight from our team playbook.
That trip down memory lane helped me realize how all the wild moments from the past actually helped me avoid bigger pitfalls in the future. Watching kids today try so hard to be perfect, I wish I could show them that making mistakes is not just okay—it’s essential for growth and learning.
Perfection only really exists in Instagram filters and the dictionary. Learning from your mistakes—that’s what truly moves people forward.
What mistakes have you been running from? Are there big moves you’ve been avoiding because you fear failure? As a parent, teammate, or simply as a human being—growth through mistakes is the key to becoming who you’re meant to be.
Stop hiding, and start growing.
Tuesday June17 2025
Warm up
2 rnds
Kb Goblet squat press
Full body rocks
Kb SDHP
Hollow hold/ rock
Tech
Row
Burpee over (bar, rower, DB in busy class)
Thruster
Wod
20 minute AMRAP
20 cal row
10 burpee overs ( bar, rower)
5 Thrusters 135/185#
Cool down
Infusing Students With a Belief in Themselves
"While Coach Barb’s knowledge and enthusiasm are immediately apparent, it is her unique way of connecting with young people that really sets her apart. Not only does she keep them engaged and interested, but her calm confidence in their abilities infuses them with a belief in themselves. Thanks to Coach Barb’s support, we have seen our teenage son push towards accomplishments he might otherwise avoid. And he loves every minute of it!"
-Chris H.
Transformed Athletic Ability
"My children attend ELEV8 and Varsity classes with Barb (Coach OG). For my younger son, working with Barb has transformed his athletic ability. Barb is an intuitive coach who has supported him in gaining his confidence in the gym and this has transferred to school as well. Both kids look forward to attending their classes!"
-Carmine S.
Empower
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