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What age is it OK for a kid to start lifting weights?
Kids as young as 7 or 8 years old can safely do strength training if they have good balance and control of their body, follow instructions, and can do the exercises with good form. A child’s strength-training program shouldn’t be a scaled-down version of an adult’s weight training regimen.
Is it bad for a 11 year old to lift weights?
Weight training should be avoided until the teen years are over, but an 11-year-old can begin strength training. This isn’t a good activity for growing children because it can cause injury to the growth plates of the bones. …
Is it OK to lift weights before puberty?
Weightlifting before puberty used to be discouraged, as it was thought that the child could be harmed or his growth inhibited by placing heavy resistance and stress on growing bones. But if pre-pubescent children lift weights under the supervision of an experienced instructor, they shouldn’t experience adverse effects.
Can weight lifting stunt a child’s growth?
One of the biggest myths about weight lifting is that it stunts your growth. No studies have ever been shown that lifting weights stunts or inhibits growth. The most important aspects when training as a child are supervision, exercise technique, light weights, and high repetitions in the 12, 15, and even 20 rep range.
How can a 11 year old build muscle?
To strengthen muscles, kids need to do exercises that make the muscles contract by means of resistance. These types of exercises include weight-training or “body-weight” exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and tug-of-war.
How much can a 12 year old lift?
Keep it light. Kids can safely lift adult-size weights, as long as the weight is light enough. In most cases, one or two sets of 12 to 15 repetitions are enough. Resistance doesn’t have to come from weights. Resistance tubing and body-weight exercises, such as pushups, are other effective options.
Can a child build muscle?
Although children can begin weight training earlier, they don’t usually build muscle until they hit puberty and hormones make it possible to increase muscle mass.
Should 10 year olds lift weights?
Bottom line: Weightlifting is perfectly safe for your children to do. It won’t stunt their growth and they aren’t likely to injure themselves doing it. Before your kid hits puberty, let them practice the movements as much as they want with a light bar made for children.