Author Topic: Bodybuilding for boys: How young is too young? (Read 5669 times)

BayGBM · « **on:** July 19, 2011, 08:23:45 AM »

Bodybuilding for boys: How young is too young?
By Rebecca Dube

How young is too young to get buff?

The number of 6- to 11-year-olds joining gyms have doubled since 2005, according to one recent study. Some are there not just to get fitter and stronger, but to get bigger -- washboard abs, buns of steel and bulging biceps are all the rage among teen and even pre-teen boys.

Experts draw a distinction between strength training -- light weights and many repetitions -- and body-building or power-lifting, which is all about growing big muscles and lifting the heaviest weight possible.

Dr. Jordan Metzl, a sports medicine doctor at the Hospital for Special surgery, says strength training is great for kids but powerlifting, not so much.
"Trying to max out on a bench press set, that's a disaster for a growing kid," Metzl said.

But, especially in this age of worries about childhood obesity, what do you do if your pre-teen wants to get buff? Do you try to get them into a gym... gently steer them toward strength training instead of bodybuilding... or should kids that age just be playing outside? What do you think?

(video)
http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/07/19/7111011-bodybuilding-for-boys-how-young-is-too-young

mesmorph78 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2011, 08:43:19 AM »

my kid wouldnt be training before 15
a kid should be allowed to be a kid when i was a young teen i was interested in girls and hanging out with my friends not
bench pressing...

The Italian Lifter · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2011, 08:51:52 AM »

Where's basile?

Thespritz0 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:23:11 AM »

My son started at 12, he's 16 now- 6'2" tall 210lb, 18" arms naturally! Basketball star at his high school as well!

tbombz · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:27:28 AM »

bullshit, exercise is great for the developing body, and not just sissy stuff but heavy weights.

the same people who think its a bad idea probably have fat, spoiled, cartman-esque children.

ManBearPig... · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:30:14 AM »

freshman year of high school is when i started .

16 years later, still look like shit.

Kulutues · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:32:36 AM »

The vast majority of these retard kids trying to get buff really young will fuck up their structures and end up looking deformed, Lee Priest esque without muscle. So, good for them, makes everyone who waited for their structure to mature look better

tbombz · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:34:28 AM »

Quote from: Kulutues on July 19, 2011, 09:32:36 AM

The vast majority of these retard kids trying to get buff really young will fuck up their structures and end up looking deformed, Lee Priest esque without muscle. So, good for them, makes everyone who waited for their structure to mature look better

thats stupid. if ANYTHING, lifting weights would improve their stucture and increase their bone growth.

Van_Bilderass · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:54:51 AM »

You could easily start at 6 and benefit greatly. However, no ego lifting. Careful with overhead lifts (shoulders) and things like that. The kids need supervision, so they train everything (balanced strength).

local hero · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:57:35 AM »

i messed about with weights from 10 or 11... does you no harm at all

OneMoreRep · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:57:59 AM »

funk51 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:21:01 AM »

chunkramwell · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:28:40 AM »

I see no harm as long as they have supervision from a competent adult.

BayGBM · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2011, 12:28:16 PM »

too young?

Dr Dutch · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2011, 12:30:10 PM »

Young teens should do team sports. That's better for them. Heavy lifting 16+ earliest.

Evo · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2011, 12:30:28 PM »

Bodyweight lifts and plyometrics for kids under 13.

I started lifting at 13 and have never looked back

Earl1972 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:47:15 PM »

how are these kids building muscle before hitting puberty?

E

SF1900 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:53:21 PM »

Quote from: Earl1972 on July 19, 2011, 09:47:15 PM

how are these kids building muscle before hitting puberty?

E

A LOT of Muscle-Tech products.

Rami · « **Reply #18 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:53:50 PM »

under 35 is to young, till your done growing basically

DK II · « **Reply #19 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:14:12 PM »

Quote from: Rami on July 19, 2011, 09:53:50 PM

under 35 is to young, till your done growing basically

Yep, and as BB is the drugs anyways, you can party and have fun until 35 and then start drugging up heavily on a gh15 mutation cycle.

Meso_z · « **Reply #20 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:45:14 PM »

nothings wrong with lifting "weights" if young....the problem starts when the "trainer" or "gym buddy" hands the kid a hanful of dbols naming them "vitamins".

Sherief Shalaby · « **Reply #21 on:** July 19, 2011, 11:17:17 PM »

i started push ups, chin ups, dips, and, home abs exercises when i was 12 or so and they made my body noticeably good for my age.. i think these exercises are much better than free weights for anyone who is under 15 years old.. i started going to the gym when i was about 15 and i think it was just the right time.. imo anything between 15 to 18 is the perfect time to start!!..