It is said that kids should not start lift weights at a young age because it stunts their growth. As a parent you want to do some research in knowing the difference in weightlifting and strength training. "Heavy lifting can put too much strain on young muscles, tendons and growth plates, especially when proper technique is sacrificed in favor of lifting larger amounts of weight."3 If you plan on weight training your child yourself. If you choose to hire a professional trainer, you will want to look into that person. They need to be highly trained in this field and be educated enough to take someone's health into their hands. You do not want someone who is not paying attention to the fundamentals and the technique, and just wants the child or client to lift weights. As a parent you want your child to exceed in everything that they do, but you also want them to do it the right way and in the best way that will not hinder them in their future. Strength training can be done with his or her own body weight or inexpensive resistance tubing, along with free weights and machine weights.
- Increase your child's muscle strength and endurance
- Help protect your child's muscles and joints from sports-related injuries
- Improve your child's performance in nearly any sport, from dancing and figure skating to football and soccer
- Strengthen your child's bones
- Help promote healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Help your child maintain a healthy weight
- Improve your child's confidence and self-esteem
You can start strength training your kids “as early as age 7 or 8, however, strength training can become a valuable part of an overall fitness plan — as long as the child is mature enough to follow directions and practice proper technique and form.”2 Some Doctors say that with weightlifting, kids should start at age 13.
It would be more beneficial in the long run for your kids if you started with strength training so that their bodies with have strong muscles and healthy joints. Then when they are of the proper age to start lifting heavier weights, you can transition them into that part of their athletic or fitness goal.
References:
1Robson, D. (2009, April 28). Weight Training for Children. Retrieved October 19, 2014, from http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson38.htm
2Tween and teen health. (2012, January 18). Retrieved October 20, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/strength-training/art-20047758?pg=2
This is a very touchy topic and I think you explained how proper form and technique must be used for strength training in kids to be healthy. Kids are wired for movement and development, and I agree some strength training would be beneficial. More importantly, I believe aerobic exercise benefits them even more as youngsters, but having strong bones and joints are crucial as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! I wish this had been a popular topic when i was younger so that i could have begun athleticism at an even younger age. Knowing now that weight bearing activities even for adolescents provides musculoskeletal vbenefits as well as postural awareness i will definitely be introducing these movements to my children.
ReplyDeleteI never would have imagined to start lifting weights at such an early age, this will definitely be something I look into with my kids.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very important topic. So many adults push their kids to weight train too early. I think light strength training should be advertised more for young kids.
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