Strength training for kids:
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My son does some of the P90X workouts - not the weightlifting stuff, but the body weight stuff like abs and plyometrics. That's a pricey program to buy new, but you can sometimes find it used for around $30 for the full set...P90X3 has more of the body weight or light weight workouts than the original.
There are a lot of "convict" style videos that are just body weight in a small area, so something like that might be fun and would also keep to the body weight only.0 -
I rock climb/boulder with one of my boys. We also used to take aerial (silks, trapeze, lyra). I think calisthenics is perfect for her age and honestly at her age she can probably beat you at most skills in a short amount of time (since you said she is competitive). Kids strength to weight ratio is phenomenal.
Oh - we've also done some tumbling together too.0 -
I have a 6yo who really wants to be doing weights with me but my trainer has told him he needs to weight till he's 14.
Instead he does the bodyweight exercises and stretches that I do. So he does body weight squats, lunges etc. Plus he goes to gymnastics and does piyo and yoga stances. Oh and he runs with me.
Trainer is wrong.
Assuming good load management is practiced (just like any age group), there is nothing to be concerned about other than the eccentric movements that sometimes need more attention and with correct load management are usually not a issue any more than a 14 year old.
Most trainers at least commercial gyms have a poor idea of load management and train to exhaust someone. This would be a issue.
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AliNouveau wrote: »When I was a child my parents enrolled us in sports instead they told us"if you work out and lift weights at a young age you can Stunt your growth"
I whole heartedly Stand by that.
I started lifting weights at age 11. I was doing squats to get stronger legs for skating since I was a skinny little thing.
I'm 5'8". I'm pretty sure my growth wasn't stunted but I have awesome strong legs and a live of fitness that has been instilled since that age
I started out training about age 10 along with drinking coffee regularly. At 6'3" I would doubt either myth holds true but would love to read evidence stating otherwise.0 -
As someone who rock climbed competitively for a small portion of my youth, I agree that kids who climb are crazy strong. I mean climbers in general are strong, but kids are strong, generally have less fear, are light, and can get very good. I was the leanest I've ever been when I was climbing and was very muscular, despite not being a cisgender male. I was also very healthy at least in relation to various medical tests. Enough so that when I had to have back surgery when I was 14 (for tethered cord syndrome) the anesthesiologist was astonished when he looked at the results of various blood tests that had been done prior to surgery. Outside of the strength component, your kid will also maintain and likely gain a fair amount of flexibility and it'll do a lot for their kinesthetic awareness.
I'll never forget the one time when one of my best friends who was on my team, who was probably 5' (if not shorter) at the time and weighed who knows how much, came up from behind and picked all 5' 8" and 155lbs of me up with a fair amount of ease. As in, wrapped his arms around my legs and lifted me off the ground.1 -
To all those posters who have said weights are bad/ dangerous for kids, do you have any studies to back you up? I’m not sure there are any. I’d like to read them if you can direct me to any published scientific literature though.
I have 14 year old daughter who wants to lift with her mum. She’s not allowed to use free weights in the commercial gym I’m a member of as ‘ weights are dangerous for kids’
I may have to join a specialist strength gym. But I don’t really want to as my current gym is handy and I’ve been going there years.2 -
I dont let my boys strength train with weights. Ligament tears are permanent damage.
I actually know that PROGESSIVE training is good at ANY age. But it's tough to tell young boys about progressive .... more is better, they think.
So no barbells. If you cant do 25 body weight squats (min) then you.have no business picking up a weighted bar anyway.
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I know you mean well but would refrain from making these type of blanketed statements. There are many variables involved for individuals. I think it's wrong to exclude a proven way of training for strength based on the ability to perform another movement that might not have bearing on their current capabilities.jeffjeff85 wrote: »I dont let my boys strength train with weights. Ligament tears are permanent damage.
I actually know that PROGESSIVE training is good at ANY age. But it's tough to tell young boys about progressive .... more is better, they think.
So no barbells. If you cant do 25 body weight squats (min) then you.have no business picking up a weighted bar anyway.
We see this type of "screening" for example by most physical therapists too much, too often. We have to be more specific to the individual and their strength/capabilities along with adaptations they respond to specific movements not necessarily a varient.
I for one probably can't do 25 body weight squats at depth in one set currently, but can squat 400 belt less for several reps with a couple in the tank once warmed up with a weighted barbell.
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I know you mean well but would refrain from making these type of blanketed statements.jeffjeff85 wrote: »I dont let my boys strength train with weights. Ligament tears are permanent damage.
If you cant do 25 body weight squats (min) then you.have no business picking up a weighted bar anyway.
We see this type of "screening" for example by most physical therapists too much, too often.
I for one probably can't do 25 body weight squats at depth in one set currently, but can squat 400 belt less for several reps with a couple in the tank once warmed up with a weighted barbell.
Isnt saying physical therapists say things 'too much too often" one of those blanket statements?@!
Uh, no matter.
I likely can NOT squat 400, certainly not for 'reps'. But I can squat 200 ALL DAY LONG, which for me n my boys is a far more useful skill.0 -
My children do circus training and gymnastics - all body weight and some ropes (pretty heavy). They love it and do it at home when we're weight training too.
We also do a lot of dancing. I'm African so any music with lots of drums and a good beat! We easily spend 2 hours dancing a day during the weekend.
When we go hiking etc - they carry their own bags and water. They're almost 6, 5.5 and 5.5. The 6 year old can easily lift and swing one ofhis sisters in one of their circus moves.1 -
Lots of things that you can add to bodyweight training such as using bands. I've also heard of kids doing TRX suspension stuff.0
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jeffjeff85 wrote: »
I know you mean well but would refrain from making these type of blanketed statements.jeffjeff85 wrote: »I dont let my boys strength train with weights. Ligament tears are permanent damage.
If you cant do 25 body weight squats (min) then you.have no business picking up a weighted bar anyway.
We see this type of "screening" for example by most physical therapists too much, too often.
I for one probably can't do 25 body weight squats at depth in one set currently, but can squat 400 belt less for several reps with a couple in the tank once warmed up with a weighted barbell.
Isnt saying physical therapists say things 'too much too often" one of those blanket statements?@!
Uh, no matter.
I likely can NOT squat 400, certainly not for 'reps'. But I can squat 200 ALL DAY LONG, which for me n my boys is a far more useful skill.
I said the type of screening they utilize...not "what they say". Two entirely different things.
Respectfully I don't care if you squat 200 or 400 as long as your training.
I do care if you state that only people who can body squat a minimum 25 reps should train squats with a barbell without knowing more details on individuals. That is flawed screening, so yes I take issue saying everyone should follow your rule.
When you state that someone like me who more than likely can't body squat 25 reps in a set has no business doing a different type of squat, that is flawed.
I think you are forgetting that not everybody is the same. My doctors and I both would disagree with you. As well as the people I train with the same issues/disease that are currently finding ways to strength train regardless of what they can't do.
Your statement is potentially harmful to people who might not fit your rule.
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without knowing more details on individuals. That is flawed screening, ...
I think you are forgetting that not everybody is the same. My doctors and I both would disagree with you. As well as the people I train with the same issues/disease ...
The question was about healthy, normally inquisitive kids.
People with infirmities - physical, psychological, whatever- might need a different approach.
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As an aside, I don't actually have any issue with kids doing weight training. I'm mostly looking for things that will be *engaging* as my kid has some variety of attention deficit and anxiety relative to other kids her age.
I grew up with elite youth athletes competing on the national level as gymnasts, swimmers, dancers, etc. and even though there were plenty of injuries under supervised, absolutely correct (for the time) training conditions, and possibly even a few growth delays due to heavy training, I don't know that ANY of us would have given up what we were doing or regret a moment of it now. I would *still* choose the life I have/had.
I'm looking for suggestions of activities/programs that *other kids find engaging*.0 -
My 14 year old loves indoor climbing. She gets to hang with cool people and train. It’s very sociable for her0
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