Athletes who stray too far from regularly lifting heavy stuff the right way are setting themselves up for injury issues. Not only is mechanical loading (lifting, pulling, pushing, holding heavy stuff) key to muscle strength, growth and health, but it's key to the health and durability of the body's support structures. Your bones, tendons and ligaments respond to resistance training by becoming more durable as well. The two things that an athlete needs for success are sport skills and health. Make fundamental strength training exercises like squat, lunge, deadlift, pull-up, chin-up, push-up and rows your priority to train for athletic durability.