Does Lifting Weights Stunt Progress in Youngsters? What Dad and mom Must Know

A number of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my dwelling gymnasium with my 3-year-old toddler subsequent to me, copying me together with his personal little barbell. It was a type of candy moments I can’t assist however share—I simply love these bonding moments.

Quickly after, a guardian messaged me: “Is that really secure? I’ve at all times heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s progress.”

And you already know what? It’s a sound concern.

As a result of as mother and father, we wish our children to be energetic and wholesome—however we additionally need them to be secure.

So let’s speak about that concern. The place it comes from, what the science really says, and what to look out for in terms of resistance coaching for youngsters.

The place Did the “Lifting Stunts Progress” Fable Come From?

For those who grew up listening to that lifting weights too early may “harm your bones” or “make you shorter,” you’re not alone. That perception has been round for some time.

However the place did it really come from?

A part of it’s linked to the concern of injuring one thing referred to as the progress plates—areas of creating cartilage close to the ends of kids’s bones, the place bone progress occurs. So naturally, the thought of loading weight onto a rising skeleton raised considerations.

Then there’s the picture of many Olympic weightlifters: quick, highly effective athletes who carry large hundreds. It’s simple to imagine the game made them that method—however that’s not what occurred.

They’re quick as a result of that physique kind offers them a mechanical benefit within the sport. Not as a result of lifting stunted their progress.

Enjoyable truth: The all-time world file holder in snatch and clear and jerk, Lasha Talakhadze, is a towering 6 toes 6 inches tall (197 cm).

The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes progress points.

What the Science Really Says About Power Coaching and Progress

Let’s begin with the massive one: No, lifting weights doesn’t stunt a baby’s progress.

In actual fact, when achieved correctly, resistance coaching has no adverse impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it could actually really improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop damage.

Particularly as your baby will get older, combining resistance coaching with different sports activities can scale back their threat of damage.

Right here’s what the analysis reveals:

• A evaluation revealed in Pediatrics concluded there’s no proof that youth resistance coaching negatively impacts progress plates or linear progress.

• The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) states that youth energy coaching packages, when correctly supervised, are secure and helpful.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics helps energy coaching for youngsters, so long as the main focus is on method and never maximal weights.

• A research within the Journal of Power and Conditioning Analysis discovered that damage charges in youth weight coaching are considerably decrease than in lots of standard sports activities.

How Protected Is Youth Weight Coaching, Actually?

Let’s check out damage charges per 1,000 hours of participation throughout totally different sports activities:

Seems, resistance training is among the most secure bodily actions your baby can do—when achieved proper.

When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Youngsters

So now that we’ve busted the parable, let’s speak about when weight coaching really can be dangerous for teenagers.

Like something, it relies on the way it’s achieved.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Youngsters carry weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their kind or method

• They’re pushed to carry too heavy, too quickly

• Tools isn’t suited to their dimension

• There’s no development or satisfactory restoration

However let’s be sincere—that’s not simply true for teenagers. That’s how adults get injured too. It appears lifting weights safely isn’t about age—it’s about how we practice.

Tips on how to Make Power Coaching Protected for Youngsters

Right here’s the best way to preserve it secure, sensible, and helpful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in energy coaching methods and progressions
✅ Give attention to method—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Tools that matches their physique
✅ Hold it enjoyable, skill-based, and interesting—particularly for youthful youngsters

When these issues are in place, lifting weights turns into not simply secure—it turns into a basis for future motion expertise and lifelong physique consciousness.

Why This Issues So A lot for Dad and mom

As a result of all of us need our children to be sturdy, energetic, and assured. However we additionally wish to defend them.

As a substitute of avoiding energy coaching or creating concern round it, let’s train them to do it proper.

As a result of when it’s achieved proper, energy coaching doesn’t simply construct muscle. It builds resilience, confidence, and lifelong wholesome habits.

And that’s one thing value lifting for. Wouldn’t you agree? —Marlene

References:

https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/145/6/e20201011/76942/Resistance-Training-for-Children-and-Adolescents

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3483033/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3418954/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0949328X20301903

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5538a1.htm