11 year old Weight Lifting

wamaverick

I recently joined Gold's Gym and due to my son's height for his age they have allowed him to join also. Its probably the only time his height has worked to his advantage.

We've been to the gym once and I loved working out with him because we had 30 minutes of talking to each other while doing cardio and it was a great conversation with my son. I am a single parent so this time is important to me as is working out.

I have idiopathic chronic hypertension so exercise is vital for me. Onto the point of the post... Is it safe for my 11 year old to weight lift or should he stick with cardio??? He is 105 lbs and about 4 foot 11.

wamaverick

I have been several times with out him but only once with him.

bizco

I would ask his doctor.

rachelleahsmom

Our gym allows children 10 and older to work out in the weight room as long as they have adult supervision.

wiglet23

ask his doctor YES. But also ask a trainer at the gym (if his doc says weights are okay) to show him how to properly use the equipment. Lifting improperly can lead to injury...

merrill99

He should be able to do some light weight lifting, BUT it really is best to have him just do body weight exercises. ie squats, lunges, pushups, crab walk, etc.

drog2323

I would ask his doctor.

agreed.

if I were to offer my two cents...I don't think an 11 year old needs weights. he can do things like push-ups, situps, body weight squats, lunges etc...things that don't require anything besides his own body weight.

jakejacobsen

I have asked my Dr and they told me not till they finish puberty Cardio is ok, push ups, sit ups, lunges, ect but they should stay away from lifting weights was the advice I received

Jade_Butterfly

ask his doctor YES. But also ask a trainer at the gym (if his doc says weights are okay) to show him how to properly use the equipment. Lifting improperly can lead to injury...

Much agreed. . Please consult his physician and a trainer before attempting to let him work out on the weights. It is very important.

jennysmission

I asked my trainer the same thing about my daughter she is 12.5 and she said she can do anything I do....def can do weights just not HEAVY weights! Just like we had to start out light and work up from there!

adross3

I started when I was 10. It created habits that have lead me to a happy healthy lifestyle. Now is the time to fill the young impressionable mind with habits of health. Around the age of 13, they will start to develop their own ideas. Fill that blank box with the good stuff.

JustEllieK

ask his doctor YES. But also ask a trainer at the gym (if his doc says weights are okay) to show him how to properly use the equipment. Lifting improperly can lead to injury...

Much agreed. . Please consult his physician and a trainer before attempting to let him work out on the weights. It is very important.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Azdak

Here is some information from the American College of Sports Medicine. The biggest I have found is that younger children like the IDEA of working out/lifting weights, but tend to get bored fairly quickly if put into an adult-style program.

Most kids want to PLAY, not exercise--which is as it should be.

kensky

One thing I would caution about is the use of the nautilus style machines. (They aren't built with small bodies in mind, sort of like automobile seats.) I'd steer him toward bodyweight (pushups, pullups, etc.) more than anything else and if he's still raring to go after doing a routine based on that then lead him toward the dumbbells. Now is definitely the time to emphasis impeccable form over heavy weights.

Laces_0ut

ive heard that heavy weightlifting in someone who isnt skeletaly mature can damage the growth plates of their bones and inhibit bone growth. no idea how true that is or not. def. ask his doctor.

Azdak

ive heard that heavy weightlifting in someone who isnt skeletaly mature can damage the growth plates of their bones and inhibit bone growth. no idea how true that is or not. def. ask his doctor.

It has been shown pretty clearly that those fears were unfounded. The main caveats I have read are no maximal lifts and no heavy overhead lifting. There is no reason for an adolescent to be doing those anyway.

All of the appropriate organizations--e.g Amer Coll of Sports Medicine, Natl Strength & Conditioning Assn, Amer Acad of Pediatrics--all have issued position papers in recent years approving resistance training for adolescents.

Laces_0ut

thats great to know. thanks