By: Joann Bally
How old should kids be before they start lifting weights? Lifting weights can be good for kids, helping them get strong even before they can get muscular and helping to keep them in good physical shape. Still, kids should not do weight training until they are ready, and age isn’t the right criterion.
Although kids as young as 10 years old lift weights successfully, most young kids don’t really want to do this. Kids like to do things fast and get on to the next activity. If they are not ready to concentrate and learn good technique, they are not ready to lift. Never let kids play with free weights or weight machines. Even if they don’t hurt themselves, they will develop bad habits that will hold them back when they are really ready to do weight training.
If you do have a child who really wants to learn to lift weights (boy or girl), make sure you teach them proper technique. Never let them work with weights unsupervised. Make sure they work with fairly light weights, 10-15 reps, and don’t try to see how much they can lift. Keep training time moderate so they still have time for games and sports.
If they’re not interested, encourage them to play games and sports. You may be able to teach them some body weight exercises, like squats and pushups. Don’t be surprised if they’re not ready until high school, or not even then. Don’t let anybody who is not a trained coach teach your child to lift weights, if you or a trusted friend don’t have the skills to teach. Again, they can wait until high school. Most high schools do have weight rooms now, or there may be teen weight training classes at a YMCA or community center. Check on the instructor’s credentials there too.
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