Does Lifting Weights Stunt Progress in Children? What Mother and father Have to Know

A couple of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my house fitness center 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 mum or dad messaged me: “Is that truly secure? I’ve all the time heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s development.”

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

As a result of as dad and mom, we would like our youngsters 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 on the subject of resistance coaching for kids.

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

If you happen to 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 worry of injuring one thing known as the development plates—areas of creating cartilage close to the ends of kids’s bones, the place bone development occurs. So naturally, the thought of loading weight onto a rising skeleton raised considerations.

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

They’re brief as a result of that physique kind provides them a mechanical benefit within the sport. Not as a result of lifting stunted their development.

Enjoyable truth: The all-time world report 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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes development points.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 development.

In truth, when carried out correctly, resistance coaching has no adverse impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it could possibly really improve bone density, coordination, and assist forestall damage.

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

Right here’s what the analysis reveals:

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

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

• The American Academy of Pediatrics helps energy coaching for kids, 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 common 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 without doubt one of the most secure bodily actions your little one can do—when carried out proper.

When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Children

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

Like something, it is dependent upon the way it’s carried out.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Children elevate weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their kind or method

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

• Tools isn’t suited to their measurement

• There’s no development or ample 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.

Learn how to Make Energy Coaching Protected for Children

Right here’s preserve it secure, good, and useful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in energy coaching methods and progressions
✅ Deal with method—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Tools that matches their physique
✅ Preserve 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 abilities and lifelong physique consciousness.

Why This Issues So A lot for Mother and father

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

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

As a result of when it’s carried out 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