Does Lifting Weights Stunt Progress in Youngsters?...

A number of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my residence fitness center with my 3-year-old toddler subsequent to me, copying me along 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 dad or mum messaged me: “Is that really secure? I’ve at all times heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s progress.”

And you recognize what? It’s a legitimate concern.

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

So let’s discuss that concern. The place it comes from, what the science truly says, and what to look out for with regards to resistance coaching for youngsters.

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

In the event you 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 truly 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 concept of loading weight onto a rising skeleton raised issues.

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

They’re quick as a result of that physique sort provides 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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what truly causes progress points.

What the Science Truly Says About Energy Coaching and Progress

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

In reality, when performed correctly, resistance coaching has no unfavorable impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it could actually truly improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop damage.

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

Right here’s what the analysis exhibits:

• A overview printed in Pediatrics concluded there may be no proof that youth resistance coaching negatively impacts progress plates or linear progress.

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

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

• A research within the Journal of Energy and Conditioning Analysis discovered that damage charges in youth weight coaching are considerably decrease than in lots of in style 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 little one can do—when performed proper.

When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Youngsters

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

Like something, it will depend on the way it’s performed.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Youngsters raise weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their kind or method

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

• Gear isn’t suited to their measurement

• There’s no development or ample restoration

However let’s be trustworthy—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 prepare.

Easy methods to Make Energy Coaching Protected for Youngsters

Right here’s hold it secure, sensible, and helpful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in power coaching methods and progressions
✅ Concentrate on method—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Gear that matches their physique
✅ Maintain it enjoyable, skill-based, and fascinating—particularly for youthful children

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, lively, and assured. However we additionally wish to shield them.

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

As a result of when it’s performed proper, power 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