Episode 74: Coaching Kids, with Gretchen Bredemeier

Episode 74 – Cross Fit for Kids with Gretchen Bredemeier Today’s guest, Gretchen Bredemeier joins us on the show and she is here to talk about coaching kids. I have been coaching kids since 1996 and I have learned a lot about what it takes to motivate kids. Why do I say motivate kids instead of train kids? Because there are already a lot of programs out there on how to train kids, however the kids must want to be there. The parent has to bring them but if the kid doesn’t like the class they won’t stay and Gretchen is an expert in this area. Even more so with kids than with adult’s, success is important for motivation. While Gretchen frequently asks kids to create their own games she doesn’t necessarily let them run wild the entire hour. On the other hand, she doesn’t burn herself out by trying to have full control over every second of a Kids class. Gretchen in this episode talks about how they get more kids, keep more kids, price their programs, and grow their programs. Gretchen’s personality is also a big takeaway for this episode. If you can find someone like Gretchen to embrace interpreneurship and grow their own kids program under your umbrella, this can be a win for both of you. Be sure to take good notes and reach out to Gretchen with any questions you may have at the conclusion of the episode! In this Interview: What to charge for a Kids Program? How to teach kids that it is okay to be emotional in front of peers? How to deal with difficult parents when handling progression of young athletes Plus: Where can current box owners find a person like Gretchen to start a kids program? Growing a sports team program at your gym What is an appropriate coach to athlete ratio with the kids program? About Gretchen: Gretchen has been at Loco CrossFit for almost four years and coaching since 2015. In addition to coaching regular classes she is the coordinator for the youth programs at Loco and hopes to expand into classes to include the elderly, those in detention centers, and shelters. She is an expert in bodyweight movements and has a background in deaf education and also works as an interpreter. Originally from Indiana, she currently lives in Leesburg, VA with her husband Brian. Timeline: 0:57 – Gretchen Bredemeier Introduction 4:03 – What brought Gretchen to coaching kids and to coaching CrossFit? 5:36 – First start at coaching kids at CrossFit Loco 6:53 – What does a well-run Kids program look like? 8:58 – Implementing an on-ramp program for a kid’s program 10:32 – What to charge for a Kids program session? 10:52 – How exposing kids to a group environment can create a barrier? 11:53 – Recognizing kids who demonstrate leadership ability through a weekend workout 15:08 – Teaching kids that is okay to be emotional in front of peers 16:52 – How does progression happen within the Kids program? 18:31 – Dealing with parents who feel their kid needs to be at a higher level 20:03 – When to host Kids classes that is most convenient to kids and parents? 22:25 – Letting kids be kids and eliminating too many rules 26:20 – Getting kids to take nutrition seriously within the Kids program 28:42 – What is an appropriate coach to athlete ratio within a Kids class? 31:37 – Interpreneurship and how much ownership Gretchen has of the CrossFit program at Loco? 34:54 – Where can current box owners finds a person like Gretchen to help with Kids? 36:18 – How to prepare for a Kids class and psych yourself up 39:19 – What authority does Gretchen have over financial decisions for the kids program? 41:26 – Can kid involvement within CrossFit bleed over and encourage parents to be involved? 42:12 – All about the Loco CrossFit sports program 46:44 – How did the sports team program start and how big is it now at CrossFit Loco? 51:34 – How to grow a sports team program at your CrossFit gym 53:04 – How to contact Gretchen Contact Gretchen/Links: Ga