Absolute earliest age for weight training

[VascularRock]

My question is this.....what is the absolute earliest age that is safe to begin weight training?. I have heard 12 years old. I also have heard that the risk is limiting bone growth. Have there actually been any studies completed to assess this risk. I would assume no studies have been done due to the obvious possible outcome - young adults who are stunted.

I only ask this question because my son is nine. He currently is 5' 1" and weighs 119. He is somewhat overweight, but difinitely ahead of his peers in muscle mass (he obviousily inherited those genese from his Mom's side). He hounds me relentlessly to join me in my workouts. To date, I only allow him to lift very minimal weights.

Just very interested in everyones opinions.

 

[Aussie Juga naught]

<16 at the earliest for serious weight training, but if it was only going to be 2x a week and light weights, I suppose 14 would be ok...just my opinion.

 

[DrBones]

Jeremy here started training around 12 i believe... Im sure he'll chime in

 

[erickthegreat11]

Best thing to do is to ask your family doctor. The doctor would probably know what is best and how a young body would be effected adversely and positively. In my opinion however, I would wait until he stops growing as far as height wise. I would think if you started earlier that bone development could be effected.

 

[spatts]

There are powerlifters as young as 6 competing. My son is 3, and is learning form (no weight), terminology, gym safety, respect for the platform, gym etiquette, etc...

I started weight training when I was 13.

 

[Lee]

first time i start i was 14. but i havent trained straight for the 3 years since. ive heard that right when you start puberty it is ok to start lifting. i wish i woulda done that, i would have 7 years of lifting behind my belt, that would be rowdy.

 

[MidwestJ]

jr high

 

[slobberknocker]

I'm starting my little brother in the gym this summer, and he'll be 14 in July. He's pretty mature for his age, so I think he'll be ok. Just light weights, basic exercises, making sure he learns proper form etc. Should be fun.

 

[BigBadBootyDaddy29]

It all depends on the child's maturity level....both physical and mental. Are they physically developed enough to handle training? and are they mentally developed to take it seriously? I don't feel you can pinpoint a specific age because everyone developes at a different rate at a different age, so I would say that it is a very individual thing. Personally, I was 13, but a 13 I was 5'10" and 170lbs and had to shave every day.....some kids are 13 and look and act like they're 9, it depends on the kid.

 

[collegiateLifter]

i would say 7-10 years old is a good age to have them start.

 

[endpoint]

i would say 7-10 years old is a good age to have them start.

thats when champions are made...some times even younger

 

[SAGAT]

i would say around 12-13. i started at 13 y/o, i was 5'10" then, 6'2" now, so no problems with growth. well, for me atleast.

 

[hittman]

lee priest.

 

[michaelcoutts]

lee priest.

lol, roflmao... lee priest started early but he ended up being a shrimp so he would never beat the taller guys. Good example mate


I believe that people should wait until their mid teens (14,15,16)before starting heavy programs (i emphasis the word heavy). You can always catch up with muscle later on but u can NEVER catch up with height and i know stupid guys at school who are a testimony to this.


Im pretty sure Arnie didnt start until his mid teens so he retained his height which won him all of his bodybuilding titles.

Unless you are allow yourself to reach close to your maximum height u are selling yourself short. Alll the greatest bodybuilders had some height to them, and all the greatest strong men are well over 6 foot so i really disagree with this hardcore young age stuff.
Not to mention most sports these days require height.

i would say 7-10 years old is a good age to have them start.

Are you joking ? I seriously hope so.

 

[Lee]

i talk to someone today at my club about this, and he said that when the growth plates are starting to grow, then its ok to start lifting, cuz muscle wont slow down height growth once its started.

 

[jeremys]

i started at 11. probably should have started earler than that

i have had no problems with height, even after squatting and deadlifting maximal loads. im at least 2 inches taller than most people on both sides of my family so that shoots that theory to shit

i've reaped the benefits of training while having raging hormones, and i still get to do that for another few years

its just like teaching a 30 y/o how to train. show them proper form, example workouts, nutrition, and the right, positive, helping attitude that keeps all of us going

 

[jeremys]

and as for stunting growth..you better not let your kids run or play basketball, since that is a hell of a lot worse than lifting is on growth.

the only way to screw yourself up and 'sell yourself short' while lifting is maybe loading up 1000 pounds on the squat bar and jumping up and down with it....or using the smith machine

 

[JOKER47]

My 7 month old son joins me in the my garage regularly.

In just the last 2 months, he has gone from 4oz lifts to 8oz lifts, with no AAS.
I expect high rep spoon and bowl compund lifts here shortly.


Joker

 

[spatts]

Don't forget 'mandarin orange slices on a tray' speed work.

 

[JOKER47]

Don't forget 'mandarin orange slices on a tray' speed work.

Of course. For training variety, use alternate between pineapple and orange slice work.

 

[SofaGeorge]

It is absolute bullshit that you have to wait till any age. I've known people who started their kids at 4-5. I met one kid who was 8 and had been training for a few years. The "world's strongest boy" started training at 3-4.

The whole thing of weightlifting stunting growth is a very ignorant myth. Kids who lift weights at 7-8 are simply using their muscles as they were intended to be used.

 

[louden_swain]

teen years. . .when the hormones are pumping.

 

[collegiateLifter]

The only thing you have to worry about is making the kid burnout and hate lifting. If you introduce it in such a way that (presumably) he likes it, then you're golden.