Does lifting
weights stunt Growth
weights stunt Growth
Many teens out there who have not yet had their final growth
spurt wonder if lifting weights will stop them from growing, some are scared by
their friends who tell them lifting weights will result in them staying as
manlets for their entire lives. Many parents
are also concerned about their kids starting to work out using weights at an
early age? This would cause concerned parents to not get their kids gym
memberships or not buy their kids the weights they want in order to workout at
home. So are your friends right and should parents really be concerned about
when kids start weight lifting?
spurt wonder if lifting weights will stop them from growing, some are scared by
their friends who tell them lifting weights will result in them staying as
manlets for their entire lives. Many parents
are also concerned about their kids starting to work out using weights at an
early age? This would cause concerned parents to not get their kids gym
memberships or not buy their kids the weights they want in order to workout at
home. So are your friends right and should parents really be concerned about
when kids start weight lifting?
 |
| Worlds strongest kid Guiliano Stoe turning 8 on July 18 |
Weightlifting does
not cause stunted growth
Weight lifting does not cause stunted growth in fact it has
many benefits. Lifting improves bone
mass density in teens and children. Weightlifting increases strength,
sometimes speed (e.g. in sprinting), it is great for improving sports
performance. Weight lifting is great for increasing metabolic rate; this makes
it easier to burn fat because most calories are used up. When you lift weights
with proper form you increase your strength and it becomes harder for you to
get injured. If a kid/teen is in great shape, their body image in enhanced so
that can help them socially. Kids who are out of shape get teased a lot buy
other kids, they are sometimes bullied. Weight lifting and being stronger and
more muscular can be great for self defence against violent bullies (I do not
encourage violence but some situation are out of our control and fighting back
is the only option).
many benefits. Lifting improves bone
mass density in teens and children. Weightlifting increases strength,
sometimes speed (e.g. in sprinting), it is great for improving sports
performance. Weight lifting is great for increasing metabolic rate; this makes
it easier to burn fat because most calories are used up. When you lift weights
with proper form you increase your strength and it becomes harder for you to
get injured. If a kid/teen is in great shape, their body image in enhanced so
that can help them socially. Kids who are out of shape get teased a lot buy
other kids, they are sometimes bullied. Weight lifting and being stronger and
more muscular can be great for self defence against violent bullies (I do not
encourage violence but some situation are out of our control and fighting back
is the only option).
Also I Personally know many people who started lifting weights pretty early on, like in their mid teens and have grown over 6’0” tall. Even online
there are many great examples of people who started lifting early on and are
good heights such as online fitness sensations the Harrison twins (5’10), Charley
Monteuil (5’11), Simon George (6’2). I
take good height as from average height upwards. If parents are short then its not the
weightlifting that will cause the kids to be short. If someone not only kids
and teens is into bodybuilding, weight lifting then they will research fitness
stuff and they will learn a lot about nutrition which is an additional benefit
in a world where obesity in children is growing.
there are many great examples of people who started lifting early on and are
good heights such as online fitness sensations the Harrison twins (5’10), Charley
Monteuil (5’11), Simon George (6’2). I
take good height as from average height upwards. If parents are short then its not the
weightlifting that will cause the kids to be short. If someone not only kids
and teens is into bodybuilding, weight lifting then they will research fitness
stuff and they will learn a lot about nutrition which is an additional benefit
in a world where obesity in children is growing.
 |
| Richard Sandrak former Worlds strongest kid, When he was a kid now he is 20 |
When is the best
age to start weight training?
It is completely fine for teenagers to weight train, even
children under 10 even though I personally feel that is a bit too young,
studies have shown that children over the age of 6 can practice some form of
weight training. As long as someone has some guidance and knows the proper way
of lifting to avoid injury there is no reason why they should not use weight
training. Weight lifting is a sport like any other and like other forms of
exercises and sport, there are right ways and wrong ways of doing it, people
can get injured just like in any other sport like soccer, rugby, American
football or whatever else.
children under 10 even though I personally feel that is a bit too young,
studies have shown that children over the age of 6 can practice some form of
weight training. As long as someone has some guidance and knows the proper way
of lifting to avoid injury there is no reason why they should not use weight
training. Weight lifting is a sport like any other and like other forms of
exercises and sport, there are right ways and wrong ways of doing it, people
can get injured just like in any other sport like soccer, rugby, American
football or whatever else.
Start off with
bodyweight exercises
I am no doctor, physiotherapist or trainer; I am just a fitness
enthusiast who started exercising at an early age. Kids who are still under 15/16
would be best served by doing body weight exercises, if done right they will
get you in top shape and prepare you for weight training down the line.
Exercises like pull ups, push ups, squats, single legged squats, dips etc will
give you some size and shape as well as give you the strength you will need to
lift some serious iron when you decide to lift weights. The benefit of doing
bodyweight exercises is not only for strength gain, if you can stick to a
workout schedule it will teach you discipline, improve your overall fitness and
athletic ability as well as keep you safe from the injuries associated with
lifting weights (especially when you are young and you don’t know what you are
doing, lifting to heavy and having poor form).
enthusiast who started exercising at an early age. Kids who are still under 15/16
would be best served by doing body weight exercises, if done right they will
get you in top shape and prepare you for weight training down the line.
Exercises like pull ups, push ups, squats, single legged squats, dips etc will
give you some size and shape as well as give you the strength you will need to
lift some serious iron when you decide to lift weights. The benefit of doing
bodyweight exercises is not only for strength gain, if you can stick to a
workout schedule it will teach you discipline, improve your overall fitness and
athletic ability as well as keep you safe from the injuries associated with
lifting weights (especially when you are young and you don’t know what you are
doing, lifting to heavy and having poor form).
