Teenagers Working Out

[Stixs]

My daughter is 14.5 years old and has expresssed interest in lifting weights and getting into a gym this summer. Currently does martial arts but I have never thougth about having her working out in a gym. She seems to be really excited about lifting I guess they did a little in gym class last week.

Does anyone have daughters that age that they have started using weights at all or is that too young for a girl. Or should she stick to the push-ups etc. Any hints on type of program I should start her on, times per week etc.

Thanks,

[dna9488]

is your daughter in highschool or middle school?

Because in highschool there were girls 14 and were on the softball team or field hockey team...and they would workout everyonce in a while

One of my friends was on the field hockey team, and always complained of how sore her muscles were

[Shibby]

It's kind of hard to say if she has matured enough to really start lifting hard without knowing her. If you two decide it is time I would HIGHLY stress she takes it very slow and learns to lift correctly. I know in high school the coaches teaching kids to lift wasn't a very good system. I don't know if coaches know more now, but I wouldn't assume they do. I am sure YJ can give better detail on this, but female athletes are at a higher risk level for injury because of their bone structure and hormones.

[Stixs]

Thanks for info. If I decide to let her work out will really make sure she is lifting correctly. I leaning more to let her start to lift, because it is something she really wants to do, so want to support her wanting to hit the gym. But also want to make sure this is the right time.

[Stonecold54]

you can teach them how to lift but they should be nowhere near any type of maximal lifts. long sets and sub-failure training. calestenics are a great thing...using their own bodyweight. but again close supervision. no jerking movements, no heavy weights and no intensity. you don't want to run them on the wrong road.

[NYCmitch25]

^I thought that was a myth?

[Bouncer]

i think in general girls are safe. the style of training they do doesn't usually put them in danger. young boys are generally in more danger because of the weight they are trying to do, showing off etc..

[3v1lj03]

i think in general girls are safe. the style of training they do doesn't usually put them in danger. young boys are generally in more danger because of the weight they are trying to do, showing off etc..

41 yrs old and I still have that problem. LOL

[Stonecold54]

^I thought that was a myth?

thought what was a myth? the closing of growth plates from to much weight? besides that its just prudent to teach a younger person the CORRECT way to lift for their future :)

[NYCmitch25]

I'll clearify, I think its bs that lifting w8ts stunts your growth.

[NYCmitch25]

Does Weight Lifting Stunt Growth in Height?

I get this question all the time: "I'm in my teens and I want
to start weight lifting. But someone recently told me that
weightlifting can stunt my growth. Is this true?"

It's seems this myth will never die. But I will try again to
kill it.

The whole notion of growth being stunted by weight lifting is
a myth. It didn't stunt the growth of Shaquille O'Neal, David
Robinson, Karl Malone, Michael Vick, etc. They all started
lifting in their early teens, and all have gone on to be well
over 6' tall and star in professional sports.

Dave Draper and Arnold Schwarzenegger started lifting very
young and both are 6'1" or taller. Lou Ferrigno started
working out at 14 years old at the height of 5' 9" and grew to
6' 5" - taller then anyone in his family!

So the answer is no, weightlifting does not stunt height growth, or
any other kind of growth, for that matter. There is no scientific
evidence to support such ideas and, in fact, books such as the
Russian, School of Height, suggest that weight training may
stimulate growth. The latest weight training studies done on
teens showed only positive effects.

I'd also point out that activities such as running and jumping
create forces on the body that are six to eight times one's body
weight. The compression forces on his legs and spine are far
greater in running and jumping than they will ever be in
squatting or pressing over head.

Not only will proper weight training not stunt growth, it allows
teens to grow up with stronger muscles and bones, along with a
healthy lifestyle. It certainly benefits any other sport they
engage in.

Even though proper weight training protocols will not inhibit
growth, the risk for such occurrences and injuries are just like
anything else. If you have proper instruction and a
well-organized program,,your chances are very low.

It is important to learn the basics of weight training and get
medical clearance from your doctor before you begin.

Careful attention should be paid to correct weightlifting form, and
not using too much weight or too much stress placed on the
joints. This is still true, of course for everyone, regardless
of age, and no one should ever try to do more weight than they
can reasonably lift, otherwise injury can occur.

Correct technique will reduce any risk of injury and develop your
strength more effectively than not training with proper technique.
The greatest benefits and smallest risks occur when 8 to 15
repetitions can be performed with a given weight before adding
weight in small increments.

Remember if you are going to exercise regularly always do a
warm up followed by some stretching. After your workout take
5-10 minutes to cool down and do some more gentle stretching.
Studies have shown that people who warm up and cool down
adequately have far fewer injuries.

[Stonecold54]

I tend to agree with the premise of that article but obviously there is nothing solid to back their claim up of it NOT doing it. but regardless I don't think kids under 18 should be doing maximal lifts or high intensity training. and I thought it was interesting that they mentioned running and jumping as producing such high impact forces and in the context of that being "bad" and yet still people espouse plyometrics as something "good" :D

[Bouncer]

I tend to agree with the premise of that article but obviously there is nothing solid to back their claim up of it NOT doing it. but regardless I don't think kids under 18 should be doing maximal lifts or high intensity training. and I thought it was interesting that they mentioned running and jumping as producing such high impact forces and in the context of that being "bad" and yet still people espouse plyometrics as something "good" :D

i agree with you in general but i think by age 18 intense lifting is fine. i started lifting pretty intense around 16 or so. think about human history going back to cavemen. intense work lifting etc starts well before the age of 18.

[Stonecold54]

i agree with you in general but i think by age 18 intense lifting is fine. i started lifting pretty intense around 16 or so. think about human history going back to cavemen. intense work lifting etc starts well before the age of 18.

thats what I said EIGHTEEN ,lol..and in the caveman days they LIVED till they were about 18, :P

[Shibby]

I tend to agree with the premise of that article but obviously there is nothing solid to back their claim up of it NOT doing it. but regardless I don't think kids under 18 should be doing maximal lifts or high intensity training. and I thought it was interesting that they mentioned running and jumping as producing such high impact forces and in the context of that being "bad" and yet still people espouse plyometrics as something "good" :D

Big score for SC's anti-plyo movement :D