Does Lifting Weights Stunt Progress in Children? What Dad and mom Have to Know

A number of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my dwelling 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 guardian messaged me: “Is that truly protected? I’ve at all times heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s development.”

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

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

So let’s discuss 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?

If you happen to grew up listening to that lifting weights too early might “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 development plates—areas of growing cartilage close to the ends of youngsters’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: quick, highly effective athletes who carry large masses. It’s straightforward to imagine the game made them that approach—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 development.

Enjoyable reality: 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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes development points.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 Really Says About Energy Coaching and Progress

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

In reality, when finished correctly, resistance coaching has no unfavourable impact on bone improvement. Quite the opposite, it could really 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 reveals:

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

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

• The American Academy of Pediatrics helps power coaching for youngsters, so long as the main focus is on approach 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 well-liked 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 finished proper.

When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Children

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

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

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Children carry weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their kind or approach

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

• Tools isn’t suited to their dimension

• There’s no development or enough 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 prepare.

The way to Make Energy Coaching Protected for Children

Right here’s the right way to hold it protected, good, and helpful:

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

When these issues are in place, lifting weights turns into not simply protected—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 youngsters to be sturdy, energetic, and assured. However we additionally wish to defend them.

As an alternative of avoiding power coaching or creating concern round it, let’s train them to do it proper.

As a result of when it’s finished 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