What is the youngest age a person can lift weights?

[bigmikecox]

I got my first weight set in 7th grade and was at a commercial gym my freshman year in high school

[Coach is Back!]

Kids should be working on motor skills, mobility, and agility until about 15 or so. Bodyweight is fine until then.

As I stated earlier. But having a kid start at 15 is unrealistic if the kid plays a high school sport. That kid will have to participant in team weight training and the majority of HS coaches in a weight room thinks they're training adults. There is a right way and a wrong and again, the majority of HS coaches have their heads up their asses when it comes to training young athletes.

[Azure]

As I stated earlier. But having a kid start at 15 is unrealistic if the kid plays a high school sport. That kid will have to participant in team weight training and the majority of HS coaches in a weight room thinks they're training adults. There is a right way and a wrong and again, the majority of HS coaches have their heads up their asses when it comes to training young athletes.

I agree. most do not have a clue although I do know of a lot of parents sending their kids to sports performance centers that specialize in young athletes. 

[Coach is Back!]

I agree. most do not have a clue although I do know of a lot of parents sending their kids to sports performance centers that specialize in young athletes. 

Like us. About 50-60% or so of our clientele range from 12-18.

[SF1900]

Why not just go to the experts?

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/is-weight-training-safe-for-kids

How old should a child be before they start strength training?

At least 7 or 8, McCambridge says. It takes that long for the child's balance and posture control to mature, according to the AAP.

The child's age also affects how much weight they should use. ''The younger they are, we recommend light weights, proper form, higher repetitions," McCambridge says.

But children 7 to 8 probably don't ''need'' to strength train to have a well-rounded physical activity regimen, McCambridge says.

Weight training programs must be appropriate for the age and development of the child. Supervision is crucial, especially with younger children.

Free weights may be better than machines, which are typically designed for longer limbs, says Debi Pillarella, a certified personal trainer and fitness program manager for the Community Hospital Fitness Pointe in Munster, Ind., and American Council on Exercise spokeswoman. That may change, she says, as "some companies are making youth-sized equipment."

[Coach is Back!]

Why not just go to the experts?

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/is-weight-training-safe-for-kids

How old should a child be before they start strength training?

At least 7 or 8, McCambridge says. It takes that long for the child's balance and posture control to mature, according to the AAP.

The child's age also affects how much weight they should use. ''The younger they are, we recommend light weights, proper form, higher repetitions," McCambridge says.

But children 7 to 8 probably don't ''need'' to strength train to have a well-rounded physical activity regimen, McCambridge says.

Weight training programs must be appropriate for the age and development of the child. Supervision is crucial, especially with younger children.

Free weights may be better than machines, which are typically designed for longer limbs, says Debi Pillarella, a certified personal trainer and fitness program manager for the Community Hospital Fitness Pointe in Munster, Ind., and American Council on Exercise spokeswoman. That may change, she says, as "some companies are making youth-sized equipment."

Because they're not experts.

[calfzilla]

Coach knows way more than these so called doctors.

[Coach is Back!]

Because they're not experts.

I retract that. They're just reinforcing what Azure and I agree on.

[Azure]

Coach knows way more than these so called doctors.

He most likely does when it comes to movement, strength, and conditioning

[Coach is Back!]

Coach knows way more than these so called doctors.

I had a parent take his kid out my program because his "Doctor" said he was too young to lift weights. This is the same retard that gave him his physical and release to play full contact pop-warner football. Makes sense to me

[240 is Back]

I hope you don't think Getbiggers are experts on this.

It seems like you and your son really bond. That's excellent! This doesn't happen often enough, especially not these days when there are so many distractions.

i love my dad now, but he was a real bum for 30 years.   Multiple side families and shit like that.  same with drugs/alcohol.  If a parent does it, you either do it too, or you freakin run from it.  There is no middle group.  I avoid that crap because I see how it ruins lives in addictive personalities wiht no brakes.

[SF1900]

Coach knows way more than these so called doctors.

Just go to the experts on the matter. Better off asking an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine or something.

I can't even offer an opinion, because I do not have a clue when a kid should start lifting weights. But as I stated, just go to the above person who specializes in that area.

[240 is Back]

Coach knows way more than these so called doctors.

I know more about geopolitical issues and int'l relations than a doctor named ben carson.

I am not saying that to be a dick.  He's made numerous erroneous things and admitted he doesn't know cuba wet foot/dry foot policy.  He's trying to catch up, but he's just making up shit daily.

in coach's defense - just because the dude is a "doctor" doesn't mean he's an expert or even gives a shit when questioned.  There are internet trolls that know way more about politics than Dr Ben Carson.  And seeing all the training coach has done - yes, I trust his word on youth training over that of a Doctor who bounces between disciplines and doesn't LIVE that shit like coach does.

[Coach is Back!]

Just go to the experts on the matter. Better off asking an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine or something.

You're indirectly addressing me but I'm going to directly address this. It depends on the ortho. If you go to an ortho that doesn't specialize in athletes high school athletics would be non-existent. If you get the advise of one that deals with athletes you'll get the same answer I just gave. If there's an ortho on here I would gladly be open to hearing from him. Also, as with most orthos, physical therapists and athletic trainers, most know very little about training let alone programming. fact.

[SF1900]

I bought my first weights when I was ten.  I did everything wrong and was very damaged by the time I was 14.  pic of me at 12 (1977)

Wider than Heath. 

[cephissus]

Why not just go to the experts?

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/is-weight-training-safe-for-kids

How old should a child be before they start strength training?

At least 7 or 8, McCambridge says. It takes that long for the child's balance and posture control to mature, according to the AAP.

The child's age also affects how much weight they should use. ''The younger they are, we recommend light weights, proper form, higher repetitions," McCambridge says.

But children 7 to 8 probably don't ''need'' to strength train to have a well-rounded physical activity regimen, McCambridge says.

Weight training programs must be appropriate for the age and development of the child. Supervision is crucial, especially with younger children.

Free weights may be better than machines, which are typically designed for longer limbs, says Debi Pillarella, a certified personal trainer and fitness program manager for the Community Hospital Fitness Pointe in Munster, Ind., and American Council on Exercise spokeswoman. That may change, she says, as "some companies are making youth-sized equipment."

truly spoken like people who have never lifted a weight in their lives

"it takes that long for a childs balance and posture control to mature"... just rampantly making shit up



anyone who thinks the average doctor has a clue about anything athletic related has clearly never seen very many of them

i would much rather hear from coach

[6 Reps]

Maybe it's never too early to start!

[_aj_]

truly spoken like people who have never lifted a weight in their lives

"it takes that long for a childs balance and posture control to mature"... just rampantly making shit up



anyone who thinks the average doctor has a clue about anything athletic related has clearly never seen very many of them

i would much rather hear from coach

Haha, so true. I used to read that lifting weights stunted growth, but running and climbing trees and other body weight stuff is cool. Wut?

My son's been lifting light, whole-body 3x/week since he was 10. He's about to hit his second growth spurt and I will coach him into heavier weights.

[Grape Ape]

Maybe it's never too early to start!

Just happened to be spending time cruising through threads from 2015, huh?

[Ken Fresno]

At what age is it ok to grease my son up and get him parading around a stage in a thong?

It's just that my elderly neighbor has volunteered to help him with his posing routine.

[Danimal77]

Lou Ferrigno started at 13 and grew to 6'4". I started at 11 years old and didn't stunt my growth. If anything weight training strengthens the bones.

[Hulkotron]

Got my son started on Dog Crap training and 6,000 calories diet at 4 years old. He's asking if he can start running dbol and I just laugh and tell him not till he's 7.

 

[hazbin]

12 is definitely too young.  I've been near crippled for years.

[polychronopolous]

I've been cummin since I was 13 years old

[Primemuscle]

I think it depends on how much weight they are lifting. Generally, young people would do better to build an all around athletic foundation for future weight lifting by participating in other sports....in my opinion. Most gyms don't allow kids under 15 to lift, even when supervised by an adult.