What age to start?

[Ramcononer]

I have a few younger cousins that want to go to the gym and lift...I remember when I was younger hearing not to lift when young cuz it stunts growth...any truth to this or is it an old wives tale..anyway 11 12 15 years old whats good to start hitting the weights.??

 

[Assertive Guy]

I have a few younger cousins that want to go to the gym and lift...I remember when I was younger hearing not to lift when young cuz it stunts growth...any truth to this or is it an old wives tale..anyway 11 12 15 years old whats good to start hitting the weights.??

I was told the same, but started @ 15. The only times I've come into trouble is by not doing said excercise correctly.

 

[Devastation]

i think any age is fine. 13 and under should be supervised and coached to avoid problems now and later

the latest plusa has a pic of a 5 y/o deadlifting at a meet. that may be a bit much tho, or maybe not

 

[Ramcononer]

how much did the 5y/o Deadlift? Do you have a link for the pic.

 

[Quadsweeps Sister]

Here is an good article for the younger set. I would also review the articles, both current and old on this site as they have a lot of information about training and coaching the younger athlete. Also, the benefit is there are some actual 'coaches' on this site who answer questions in the Q&A forum.

Check it out. Goal Setting for the Younger Athlete

K for you...welcome.

 

[Devastation]

how much did the 5y/o Deadlift? Do you have a link for the pic.

it doesn't say, but from the looks of things i would guess it was somewhere between 40 and 50 lbs. his name is samson hou-seye. his dad lifts and his mom is a nasa referee it says

 

[uptown88]

i guess around 15 i ok, you have a growing body and some strength you dnt need to exert all that much.younger than 15 is somewhat weird...a small kid weightlifting??

 

[blut wump]

It's generally reckoned that running and jumping puts a lot more force onto the joints than someone is likely to use weightlifting at that age. I've not seen any studies proscribing lifting at an early age. Getting form right and supervision to protect against teen bravado are probably essential initially.

 

[boxerjake]

There have been numerous papers written as of late disputing the old myths about training with reistance at an early age ... your good to go as soon as the intrest is there

 

[Ramcononer]

thanks all...yeah I didn't want my little cousins gettin all messed up at a young age...

 

[bicepsforyou]

I think it's when you want to start lifting you should start.