13 year old son, weights, and his father, uhoh!

I

Ivy

Cathlete
I am wondering if any of you guys have come across this particular type of potential problem. My son just turned thirteen and wants to work out with weights. I have decided to use the P90X program and guide him to make sure he is using proper form, we have not started the program yet, I decided we should wait until after school has ended.

Here's the issue, I found my husband encouraging him to just grab the free weights the other day while they were watching television and my son was doing biceps curls using a lot of momentum and basically just swinging the weights. I came in and asked what was going on and told him the proper form he should be using, including holding his core tight and keeping the elbows close to the body, not swinging, you guys know the drill. Anyway, I am getting the feeling that my husband may not be the best guide when it comes to weights and the other day he took my son to the gym and my son came back saying that he thinks he was pushed a little too hard regarding the weights. Now, my son could just be sore because he is not used to weights, but, between my husband's amount of injuries due to workouts and my amount of injuries due to workouts, my injuries are far less over the years. My son really loves basketball and I would hate for him to be injured because he is not using proper form with the weights or because he is pushing a weight that is truly just too much too soon.

I know this is long, but have any of you guys run into the same or a similar issue?
 
Oh, I thought thirteen was okay for weightlifting. I mean not extremely heavy weightlifting but moderate weightlifting. I will have to check into it a little further.

Thanks.
 
Ivy - Bodybuilding.com has some articles geared towards teenagers. It suggests starting moderate weight lifting at 15 or 16 and heavy at 18 or 19. I believe anything younger could compromise bone development and growth. Your best bet may be to discuss with your doctor.

Aside from his age, when he does begin lifting, maybe you could get him a couple of books that explain the importance of good form and not using momentum. Not sure if he is the typical teenage boy but if he is he may not want to listen to his mother's tips on weightlifting.

Hope that helps.
 
Personally, I just think it's a man thing. My son wants to work out but won't ask me, won't work out with me, nothing. He'll use the gym at his college or work out with his dad doing free weights but he'll never come to me. I don't get it. IT'S THE SAME THING!

It's too bad about the improper form, too. We all know better
 
Have your son talk with his MD at his next physical. Thirteen is TOO young for weight training.
You could pick up a book at your library about coaching youth. Any decent book on the subject will address this.
Generally 15 is considered the earliest to begin with weight training. Each teen is different, it depends on development. For some later than 15 is better.
 
Thanks guys, I will hold off the weight training for a while and he has a physical scheduled in late June, I will speak with his doctor about it at that time. Thanks guys, oh and I will pick up some books on teen weight training when the time is right, although I am sure we would start off with a very moderate weight, nothing heavy enough. Moderate weights and many reps, again that would be when he does get started. Thanks for your help out there. There is nothing like the Cathe crew for support and advice.:D
 
Ivy said:
Thanks guys, I will hold off the weight training for a while and he has a physical scheduled in late June, I will speak with his doctor about it at that time. Thanks guys, oh and I will pick up some books on teen weight training when the time is right, although I am sure we would start off with a very moderate weight, nothing heavy enough. Moderate weights and many reps, again that would be when he does get started. Thanks for your help out there. There is nothing like the Cathe crew for support and advice.:D
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My son is about the same age, and wants to start lifting. He is too young for heavy lifting, so I pulled out my Firm DVDs and let him use those. The weights are lighter, the reps higher and it's easy to keep good form. He already uses the same kind of weights at his twice weekly kids bootcamp, so I know it's safe, and he is growing and developing just fine.
 
Thanks, I did not think about The Firm Dvd's, I have a few of those. Come to think of it, I believe they had introduced light free weights at my son's bootcamp as well. I will check into all of this. Thanks again.:)
 
My son is 13 and I had talked to his doctor about him lifting weights because he is on the small side. She had mentioned once they are going though puberty that is when it is OK. Check with your sons doctor, but I do believe very light weights or Bands are fine for them at this age. I know my son has used some kind of bands in gym class at school.
 
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