Kids strength training
It is commonly accepted that weight training for kids is a bad idea. There are concerns about doing damage to growth plates and inducing other joint stress. While kids can get hurt weight training this commonly held belief is pretty much off base. It’s commonly accepted but not well researched. There are considerations to be held when weight training with kids, but a properly designed program can be exceedingly beneficial.
With adults we have to more cautious with gymnastics progressions, with kids we have to be more cautious with weights. Generally though this is because kids are more apt to do something silly with the weights and drop a plate, kettlebell or dumbell on their foot rather than the actual weight lifting being inherently damaging.
In general weight training with kids should be a portion of their training, but most of their load bearing can be bodyweight movements. A well structured program can develop exceptional strength with no downside. In fact the kids that start strength training while young tend to have fewer injuries later in life due to the connective tissue development that occurred when they were younger.
Read The Benefits of Weight Training For Kids
We are going to be starting a youth movement and conditioning class very soon. This class will involve a lot of kinesthetic development coupled with strength training. If you have anyone 11-15 interested in improving their performance contact us for details.
As well, there is plenty of documentation out there on how many of the sports that children participate in involve far higher forces than weightlifting produces.
Aimee’s and Glenn’s kids are weightlifting now and I’m sure Burg’s kids grew up the same way.
I was pleasantly surprised by how easy and safe my guys picked up and executed some basic lifting. These were young boys, too who were as much of screwballs as they were awesome.