Could lifting weights really hurt my 11yr old son?

[dmike03]

How it going everyone? I hope this post is in the right spot!

Well like the title says, my son is 11 and well he kinda took after his mom. He is very lean, and it bothers him cuz other boys in his class pick on him for being so skinny.
So he is begging me to take him to the gym with me. Cuz he wants to build more muscle. But a lot of stuff I've read states that boys as young as him should not lift weights. Saying it can stunt growth. So I thought I would get some opinions from you guys. I would just like to see how man other dads would do the same if it was there son.

 

[KILLEROFSAINTS]

progressive loads could for sure....bodyweight exercises should be fine....maybe lightweight high repetition dbs

 

[dave 236]

Let him learn proper form and like kos said light wgt. Or body wgt exercises. He needn't worry about it too much seeing as he hasn't even hit puberty yet. Let him get his feet wet and most of all find someone qualified to give him help with form and gym etiquette. That alone may really help his confidence.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Kenny Croxdale]

Well like the title says, my son is 11 and well he kinda took after his mom. He is very lean, and it bothers him cuz other boys in his class pick on him for being so skinny.

So he is begging me to take him to the gym with me. Cuz he wants to build more muscle. But a lot of stuff I've read states that boys as young as him should not lift weights. Saying it can stunt growth. So I thought I would get some opinions from you guys. I would just like to see how man other dads would do the same if it was there son.

Stunting Growth

Lifting heavy weight can disrupt growth plates for kids.

So, the take home message is DON'T let him lift heavy.

Lifting For Kids

Higher repetitions, 8-12 reps with light to moderate load will work

Bone Denisty

Weight bearing exercise builds bone density Research indicates that the greatest amount of bone density is built when young.

Thus, some resistance training will help you son increase his bone density.

Running

For that matter, running provides some of the same characteristics as lifting weights.

Running creates impact forces of 3 -5 time your body weight. If he weighs 100 lbs, that would mean when he run each foot strike comes with approximately 300 lbs of force.

Running won't stunt a child growth unless it is excessive.

It the same with weight training.

The Benefits of Weight Training for Kids - NYTimes.com

As for the ideal age to start weight training, Dr. Faigenbaum said: ?Any age is a good age. But there does seem to be something special about the time from about age 7 to 12. The nervous system is very plastic. The kids are very eager. It seems to be an ideal time to hard-wire strength gains and movement patterns.?

The Incredible Hulk

Lou Freggino start lifting weights at 13.

Freggino once jokingly stated that if he had not started lifting so young, he could have been a lot bigger!

Gaining Muscle/Weight

Lifting weight will help him increases muscle mass. However, the real key is diet.

He HAS to eat more.

Your Gym

Many gym have age restrictions. If you not able to take him to your gym, there are a lot of things he can do with dumbbells at the house.

However, you need will need to show him what to do.

Multi-Joint Exercises

The best exercises for him (everyone) are those which engage a lot of muscle groups: Squats, Press, Bent Over Rows, etc.

Kenny Croxdale

 

[Dr.G]

I think an 11 years old should not be in the gym for the following reasons ( this is my opinion as a father and a bodybuilder and a logical human being others could disagree)
1- while lifting weight by itself will not stunt growth as it seems equivalent to any other physical activity , hurting the growth plates will stunt growth.
but the repetitive nature of lifting weight combined with the chance of lifting with bad form and technique will significantly increase the chances of damaging the growth plates.
2- running and playing is equivalent to lifting weights when muscles are concerned, however they have a different impact when you consider joints and growth plates .....they are dynamic exercises not static and isometric and their impact is different on the body.
3- he should be encouraged to participate in sports like track and field, soccer , karate etc.. he will benefit in gaining strength as much as lifting weights if not more + they are more fun for a kid. doing occasional push ups and pull ups at home is also a good motivation.And the most important is that such activities and regular sports and play will build his coordination (mind/muscle relationship) and his mental health while lifting weights will not.
4- Building coordination is crucial at this age it is a natural process and phase in growing up. Static repetitive exercises such as lifting weights in the gym is not a natural activity and should not be done at the expense of other natural activities such as running, playing and climbing. occasional trips to the gym are ok if supervised and perhaps a good idea after all he could get bored from it.


















4- handling weights and machines is dangerous for an 11 years old.
5- occasional trips to the gym are ok if supervised and it is a good idea because he just might get bored after all.

 

[dmike03]

Thanks for the responses guys!

@Kenny, That was a good article from the NY Times! I never came across that while searching for info. But that just kinda shows how things can change when it comes to the medical side of things. That's one of the reasons I asked here! Cuz I did talk to his doctor about it, and she said I should not let him do any weight lifting until he is around 15 or so. But it kinda looks like that is based off of research studies from 30 plus yrs ago. And doctors do that all the time, they don't keep up with new research studies.

@Dr.G, My son is involved with sports! He plays in the basketball league at our local Y. And he also has been taking aikido classes for the last few months. So my son is very active. It's just he is small compared to most other boys his age. And I don't mean height, but in weight. Even his doc is telling me he is under weight for his age and height. I try to get him to eat more, but I can't force food down his throat. He's just like his mom was. She was so skinny.

But again, thanks for the responses! I just want to do the best for him! So that's why I am trying to get as much info as I can.

 

[Kenny Croxdale]

Thanks for the responses guys!

@Kenny, That was a good article from the NY Times! I never came across that while searching for info. But that just kinda shows how things can change when it comes to the medical side of things. That's one of the reasons I asked here! Cuz I did talk to his doctor about it, and she said I should not let him do any weight lifting until he is around 15 or so. But it kinda looks like that is based off of research studies from 30 plus yrs ago. And doctors do that all the time, they don't keep up with new research studies.

Medical Doctors

Medical doctors have a limited amount of knowledge when it come to exercise.

Talking to a medical doctor about exercise kinesology and physiology is like calling an electrician when for a plumbing problem at your house. How much sense does that make?

Eating More

No, you can force food down his throat.

You are there to assist him in getting where he want to do.

His food consumption and being consistent with a weight training program to increase muscle mass is depent on his motivation.

It like the saying goes, "You can lead a horse to water...."

Kenny Croxdale

 

[Dr.G]

Thanks for the responses guys!

@Kenny, That was a good article from the NY Times! I never came across that while searching for info. But that just kinda shows how things can change when it comes to the medical side of things. That's one of the reasons I asked here! Cuz I did talk to his doctor about it, and she said I should not let him do any weight lifting until he is around 15 or so. But it kinda looks like that is based off of research studies from 30 plus yrs ago. And doctors do that all the time, they don't keep up with new research studies.

@Dr.G, My son is involved with sports! He plays in the basketball league at our local Y. And he also has been taking aikido classes for the last few months. So my son is very active. It's just he is small compared to most other boys his age. And I don't mean height, but in weight. Even his doc is telling me he is under weight for his age and height. I try to get him to eat more, but I can't force food down his throat. He's just like his mom was. She was so skinny.

But again, thanks for the responses! I just want to do the best for him! So that's why I am trying to get as much info as I can.

if he is involved in sports then this is great, i don't think you have a problem at all , some kids are small and some are not and you probably should not talk about it in front of your son it might affect him mentally for nothing and no reason. He will have time to get bigger and stronger after his puberty and on. being skinny is better than being fat and he is probably very active. i agree with kenny stuffing him with food does not make him any bigger but it might make him fatter, at his age he is not to going to gain any noticeable muscle mass even if he is working out, so there is nothing you can do and you should do, he is perfectly fine. I was a small boy myself at 11 and even later i got barely 5'6 but i had no problems at all in any kind of sports and any confidence problems because i was not even thinking about it,, but this did not affect me later as i got older in terms of gaining muscle etc... at 25 i was the biggest in terms of muscle and strongest of all my class mates.
But one thing about medical doctors is that they do know about exercise and growth , this is a very very old subject and not some new technology or something old doctors did not study...orthopedic doctors probably read and participated hundreds of research on this subject....the problem with doctors is that they just give you the safest answer without explanation and they tend to brush you off giving the impression that they do not know. this is because they just don't want to be faced with accusation in case your son got in trouble lifting and also this is an attitude they have i guess they don't like to talk medicine with others as a complex thing...

 

[Kenny Croxdale]

i agree with kenny stuffing him with food does not make him any bigger but it might make him fatter,

If he consumes more food, it will make him bigger.

If he is working out, it is doubful that will make him fat.

The reference "Fatter" indicate he is fat and will gain even more fat. Thus, making him "Fatter".

The boy is an ectomorph. It is hard for a ectomorph that his age to get fat.

But one thing about medical doctors is that they do know about exercise and growth , this is a very very old subject and not some new technology or something old doctors did not study

Medical docotrs have little education or knowledge with exercise. The average medical doctor cannot write an exercise program.

...orthopedic doctors probably read and participated hundreds of research on this subject....

You back to making things up as you go. You must be great with bed time stories.

By definiition...

Orthopedic - definition of Orthopedic by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

"The branch of medicine that deals with the prevention or correction of injuries or disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints, and ligaments."

So, orthopedic doctors do NOT write exercise program. They do NOT participate in research articles on exercise program for increasing strength, mass, speed, power, endurance, etc.

By DEFINITION, the fix things once they are screwed up.

So, the take home message is once you screw something up...go see the ortho guy.

the problem with doctors is that they just give you the safest answer without explanation and they tend to brush you off giving the impression that they do not know. this is because they just don't want to be faced with accusation in case your son got in trouble lifting and also this is an attitude they have i guess they don't like to talk medicine with others as a complex thing...

The Problem is that that average physican's knowedge based about exercise is dismal at best.

The Problem is many physicians have a "God" complex and believe they are experts in exercise, pharmacology, nutrition, physical therapy...the list is endless.

You are a great example. You took anabolic once and now you are the leading authority.

"....they tend to brush you off..." because they are CLUELESS. They got nothing.

You have some understanding of training. However, over time you come to believe you own crap in areas you only have bits and pieces of information to.

Kenny Croxdale

 

[Dr.G]

kenny: Chill out we are not in court , no need to dissect every word or to be arrogant

dmike03: there is no clear cut answer to your question but surely regular weight training to an 11 years could put him at risk while it won't help much to build muscle and strength more than all the sports activities he is already doing. At his age his body and hormones and bones are not set up to build much muscles rather than to build coordination, so why take any risk. occasional gym training is ok not to gain muscle but to just sensitize him for later. he can start lifting at 15-16 when he is mature enough to learn proper technique and form.

 

[usmarine]

I woudltn try and science my way to allow him to lift weights because kids will be kids. They dont grasp often enought that it takes a lot of time and dedication to build up the muscle. instead they end up trying to lift heavy. however tim tebow wasnt allowed to lift early in life and the guys is strong as an ox from body weight exercises. I would encourage body weight exercises. pull ups push ups squats and encourage him to eat a lot more while doing the above.

 

[heavylifting1]

I would start him off with body weight exercises and gradually go into weight training.

 

[Swfl]

Mike,


I have a 12 year old son who is small and I was as well when growing up. I was so damn thin all you could see of me was my rib bones it was pathetic. So how did my dad fix this? He fed me my favorite meals and upped the nutritional content I would have spaghetti with cubed cheddar all over the top and steak cut into bite sized bits Heavily mixed in. Whole milk, Steak and eggs for breakfast, fats, carbs deliscious meals that I felt like a king eating. We didnt have much money back then so looking back at it it was a real sacrafice on his part to always feed me top quality non processed food but between that and the playing and everything I filled out pretty good. I was never the biggest but it definetly worked.

Now as far as the weights, my sons mom wanted to take him to the gym and they required clearance from the doc and a physical first. We did that and the doc said body weight exercises push ups, pullups dips etc. stay off machines and keep weight very light and no more than twice a week. Thats been about 4-5 mos ago and hes still doing his thing, he did taekwondo first for two years and they gave him a black belt (well all the kids got one if they knew their forms after 2 years) I hate that everyone gets a trophy shit...

Hope that helps

Thanks for the responses guys!

@Kenny, That was a good article from the NY Times! I never came across that while searching for info. But that just kinda shows how things can change when it comes to the medical side of things. That's one of the reasons I asked here! Cuz I did talk to his doctor about it, and she said I should not let him do any weight lifting until he is around 15 or so. But it kinda looks like that is based off of research studies from 30 plus yrs ago. And doctors do that all the time, they don't keep up with new research studies.

@Dr.G, My son is involved with sports! He plays in the basketball league at our local Y. And he also has been taking aikido classes for the last few months. So my son is very active. It's just he is small compared to most other boys his age. And I don't mean height, but in weight. Even his doc is telling me he is under weight for his age and height. I try to get him to eat more, but I can't force food down his throat. He's just like his mom was. She was so skinny.

But again, thanks for the responses! I just want to do the best for him! So that's why I am trying to get as much info as I can.

 

[69ingchipmunks]

Hate when people think this, it causes no damage to growth rate. If he's skinny let him more. He can't be genitically skinny. But school sports will be just as benificial as it's difficult to much muscle on at that age. Just get him into sports and feed him more and he'll get bigger

 

[Watson]

i cant say how it affected me, but i grew up on a 30k hectare wheat farm and heavy lifted from the day i could walk (working not weights)......it didnt stunt my growth, im 6ft7......having said that i wont let my boys lift until they almost stop growing....

@ my old gym there is a chinese guy who lifts with his son, he started him lifting at 11 and the son is heaps shorter than his father.....a good 6-8inchs but i cannot say it has anything to do with lifting or other issues....

 

[Dr.G]

^^^good remarks griffith, as i mentioned there are no clear cut answer for that....there are risks, lifting weight and putting your bones under stress actually may help bone growth ONLY IF you don't damage growth plates...so risks are there ... and i think lifting weights is a repetitive static exercise and has a different impact on the bones than doing hard work when it comes to heavy weights . i started my sons on lifting when they were 17-18 because they were not interested before that , and i did not want to force it on them. now my oldest is 20 i don't advise him to lift heavy weights, just good form with light to moderate weights (10-15 reps) especially on deadlifts and squats and also i do not encourage him to take any supplements beside fish oil and vitamins and i totally make him stay away from steroids. so i would advise any young bodybuilder to do the same.

 

[dmike03]

Thanks for all the advice guys!! Taking in to consideration what everyone has said. I'm not going to let him start lifting with weights till he gets older. So me and him sat down and came up with a workout schedule for him. It's all going to be body weight exercises. So now he has his own workout planner to start tracking his progress. I think doing this will really help him to feel more confident in himself. Then he will be able to look back at his planner and see the progress he is making.

 

[Dr.G]

^^^great idea but take it slow don't let him rush the progress, let the progress be slow, you don't want him to reach a stagnating point fast it will frustrate him.