Debunking Weight Training Myths for Kids

As our school systems continue to cut back on our kids’ physical activity time, various health and wellness bodies are trying to determine adequate exercise guidelines and look at alternate means to achieving them. As obesity and diabetes rates continue to rise in younger kids, we as parents, hope to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits, so our kids are healthy and happy.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, children should be getting a minimum of an hour of moderate (or higher intensity) activity DAILY. After over a decade of research they have recently released their stance on Weight Training for youth. Once thought inappropriate and even dangerous for anyone not fully grown and developed, it is now another option for our youth to get more activity. In a nutshell, it’s safe, effective and beneficial for this age group – PROVIDED they are supervised by a qualified instructor and follow age and fitness level appropriate programs (so no playing around with mom and dad’s weights on their own). There are more and more fitness facilities that have specially trained staff qualified to work with the under 18 crowd. The old myths of damage to growth plates and stunting growth in general are just not true (again providing appropriate weights are used). As with any type of sport or activity there is always risk of injury, which is why weight training has been frowned upon in the past. Improper technique, poor instruction and weights which are to heavy will cause injury to anyone. However, appropriately incorporated resistance will help strengthen kids in general, further protecting them from other sports related injuries; increase bone density (helping girls fight against osteoporosis in the future); and provide a lower impact alternate activity for overweight kids who may not be able to do prolonged exercise.

Before you go out and buy all kinds of equipment for your kids, remember just as with adults, weight training is unique to the individual child and dependent upon their goals and fitness levels, which is why a qualified instructor is crucial.