Help with son...

[bullett]

Hello all,

My son is 13 years old, and a very good athelete. I have been working out seriously for three or four years now, and I am a firm believer in strength training as a sure way to get ahead. I believe that it aids all kinds of athletic activity, including golf. My son is playing AAU baseball, and AAU basketball, as well as school football. We have been working out together with him using small weight, mainly to teach him the proper technique, and the work ethic. I have him do two bodyparts a day, with 9 sets divided into three different exercises each. An example of this would be on shoulder day, we do rear delts three sets, lateral raises, three sets, and overhead presses, three sets.

I also believe that kids dont get enough protein, so I cook steak for him at least three times per week, and some kind of meat every day, chicken mostly. He is currently 5'10", and 140 lbs. I would like to see him gain at least 20 lbs in the next year, all muscle if possible.

My questions are: Should I consider ANY supplementation at this point? and...When should I transition to heavier weights? I currently have him "maxed out" at 25 lb dumbells so that I dont injure his growth plates in his joints....

Any suggestions, and or advice in areas that I didnt mention will be accepted with great interest. He and I are working on his strength, speed, and of course the mechanics of the sports he is playing..

Thanks,

 

[2Thick]

Since your son will be doing a great amount of natural growth in the next few years (due to puberty), any type of supplementation will be a waste of money. The protein is the best thing for him right now. He will probably see that 20 pounds naturally in the next year or so. He is tall for his age so he will probably see a lot of naturally quick growth until he reaches ~16.

 

[Zyglamail]

I would like to see him gain at least 20 lbs in the next year, all muscle if possible.

Dont take this wrong, but as a parent myself, let him be a kid and dont rush him to put on 20lbs. For christs sake the kid is 13 years old. I applaud you on getting him proper technique and keeping weight light, but besides that, you just have to relaxe and let his body grow, its simply out of your hands. He should be entering a very high test point in his life soon, if he already hasnt. I would say your best bet is to make sure he gets plenty of vitamins and minerals and perhaps substitute a good protien drink for a junk food snack. Other then that, just be patient and let him be a kid.

 

[needleboy]

he does not need suppliments- just good nutrition. Keep the workouts down to light weights. If he starts pushing to much too soon he'll end up with tendonitis.

 

[ragin']

agree w/ needleboy and 2thick. he has more than one or two more growth spurts to go and he's already big for his age. it sounds like he's going to be a monster! no supplements at this stage... alot of food, though.

 

[thelegacy]

Absolutely no supplements until he is a t least 16 or even older. Have him eat about five small good nutriential meals a day and good cardio and light weight training and he will grow very nice. He is already big for his age so dont put crap into his body that his body cant handle so it will mess up his natural growth.

 

[wesdog]

i agree, a lot of food. just a question, are you pushing him to lift with you, or something that he wants to do?

 

[Organon 63]

Let him grow naturally and then hit him up with some Anadrol for his 17th b-day....JK

No supps untill @ least 17, preferably 18. I did a study on this in college and it pretty much showed that untill you are close to fully developed, the supps wont give too much of an advantage.
O63

 

[liftsiron]

When your son can get four sets of 10-12 on an upper body exercise increase the weight slightly, then do it all over. Stick with 15 to 20 reps on quads, sets of 10-12 reps on hams. Your son will not injure his growth plates lifting in this manner with good form. Lifting and growth plate injury is a myth. (in children) The 2000 position statement of the american academy of sports physicans, states that athletes as young as 7 or 8 years old who play sports should also be in a supervised weight lifting program. I feel that your son should take a good multi vitimin- multi mineral supplement, other than that plenty of good food. At this age don't try to acheive any specific weight gains in a certain peroid of time, let nature take it's course. As far as bodybuilding drugs go, your son can make his own decesion after he graduates college.