Children and weight training

[twosquared]

Hi! I was curious at what age is it okay for a boy to start weight training. My son is 10 (btw, I think this is to young) and very much into soccer. His team has a trainer now and he is becoming more aware of fitness for health reasons. He has been watching me doing Cathe and is now trying to do sit-ups (we talked about how keeping his core strong helps him in everything he does all day and explained why) and he is trying to do pushups.
Today he asked whether it would be okay for him to use 2lb weights. I am pretty sure kids his age should not weight train because their bodies and muscles are still developing.

Any words of wisdom would be welcome.

Thanks

 

[amy_b]

I'll chime in here. I have a college minor in motor skill development and another one in P.E. At the time that I was taking classes, current research indicated that children will not harm themselves by doing weight training. Of course, children are like anyone and they could hurt themselves if they have no spotter or develop overuse injuries, however, as long as they are choosing a weight that they can handle well with good form, they can do it. Another thing to note: children can increase their strength with weight training, but usually lack the necessary hormones to "bulk up." As long as strength increase is the goal more than sculpting a certain look, the weight training can be beneficial. Powerlifting at that age would not be appriate, but moderate strength training is.
Amy

 

[pink_fortitude]

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson38.htm

Thought you might find this helpful. I worked at a personal training center and the great lady who ran the center trained teams in middle school (swimming, football, soccer, and volleyball). The athletes really benefited from training and their confidence was boosted as well as their performances. It is just really important for preteens to be monitored and to be taught the excercises properly and make sure they are using proper technique, the same common sense stuff we need to do (except I hope that we don't still need to be monitored!! ) except don't work the muscles to fatigue. It may be a good idea to get him going with pushups and pullups, you know, get him started with bodyweight bearing excercises. My 8 year old does pushups and situps with me, and I do not discourage her because health and fitness are important at every age and the sooner we get our kids into active lifestyles the healthier their lives will be. HTH, and hope I didn't sound too preachy! sorry if I did

Missy

 

[CurlyQ]

Here's another link that has some good info on how to get started.

http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitfacts_display.aspx?itemid=339

 

[twosquared]

Thank you all for the information. Yes, he would be doing the weight training for strength. The websites provided look very informative and I plan to look them over very carefully. This is such a nice forum. So glad I found Cathe and the website as well.

Thanks again to all of you who responded!!!

 

[Chrissysu]

Speaking of children and weight training, have you all seen that TLC program: "The Strongest Boy in the World?" It was this little 6-year-old (if I remember right) who was weight training and competing. Can THAT possibly be healthy for such a young boy?

 

[pink_fortitude]

that is aweful and the parents should be thrown in jail immediately. That isn't healthy for anyone, IMO and making your little boy do it is disgusting.

Missy

 

[Ann Marie]

I believe that the strongest boy was called "Little Hercules" and he at 6 years old looked like a mini "arnold" in his peak. It was the most insane thing i ever saw. His dad trained him all day long, and his mom would stretch his legs and arms in the most painful looking contortions i have ever seen. They should have been thrown in jail. That was just not right, at that age, a child's body is developing so much. Let them be children!