What age is safe to start lifting?

I have always been told by medical professionals I have worked with that kids under the age of 15 should not be doing weight lifting, that their growth plates could be damaged. But then again, it seems so many younger kids are in the weight room at 13 or so. I don't want to allow him to do anything that would hamper my child's growth or future well-being. He keeps telling me that all the other kids his age 13 or 14 are already lifting. Does anyone know the answer, not just an opinion. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

NO... they can start lifting as young as 10-13 yrs old as long as it's not too heavy. When they get to the age of 14-16 you can start lifting heavier weight.

Let him go lift with everyone else, he will be fine! He isn't going to be lifting heavy enough to stunt his growth or damage growth plates.

right or wrong, i don't know. our kids begin weight lifting in the 7th grade. most kids in the 7th grade are 13 years old. we haven't seen any problems with kid's growth plates. i'd suggest contacting an orthopedic surgeon for a professional opinion.

Thanks, guys. I have to say what I have been reading is exactly what you all said. As long as they start out slow and don't try the "maximal lifting" they should be fine. Ever once in a while someone would mention the growth plate thing and since he grew 7 inches in one year I was afraid to take the chance. I think I will let him start. I am going to ask an orthodedic surgeon I know, too. Thanks for the advice!

lifting by ten, 'power' lifting by 13. of course, pay attention to the individual kid and what his/her body is ready for. early years should be spent on form so that the lifter learns good habits, imo.

I agree, they need to learn good habits, my brother didnt take the time to pick up good habits and he thinks he can lift anything and im afraid he's going to get hurt, but as long as you teach your kids the importance of safety everything should be ok.

I wouldnt recomend anything "heavy" until your around 15. Your running a risk of injury that just does not go away. A key to working out is, if it hurts, stop. Not hurt as in burns or feelin it, I mean when it pinches or sharp pain, just stop.

There really is no set age limit on when a kid should begin weight lifting. just make sure you keep up with them and that there arent any complications

We used to go to the gym alot as a family but just quit because we were too busy but I think we are going to start back. Maybe a trainer would help him learn these good habits and I'm sure he would listen to someone like that better than us. Maybe going to the gym will satisfy his wanting to get into lifting, then we can supervise him. Thanks again for everyone's advice...

IMHO it is different for every kid IMHO is seems like for boys at least Puberty is about the earlyist it will do any real good to start.

BUT to many kids that young do not have the mentality to start out light and build a good base and learning the correct techneak before actualy doing anything remotly heavy

IMHO I would stear clear of Squats, Cleans and Dead lifts light weight or not until the lifter get "broken in" with other "less risky" lifts that target the same muscles.

IMO while you can start your base lifting pre-puberty I think the kids would get just as much or more out of pushups, situps, and running (I do not think kids run/walk nearly enough)

I would suggest talking to your pediatrician. They usually know more about your kid than anyone else, physically. If you think about it as lifting tightening your muscles, and stretching well stretching your muscles, you may want to consider doing a type of exercise that stretches the muscles (to facilitate expansion later) during puberty. Exercise like this would be anything like swimming, running, or a martial art. Most boys have 3 growth spurts, I would definitely be skeptical of starting a full weight program until the end of the second one.

Tight muscles around growth joints (ie knees) lead to multiple problems...especially when those joints start growing and the muscles around them are too tight to allow for proper expansion. I am not a doctor, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night; however, my cousin and I are both larger men and he started working out (with a full free-weight program) at age 13 and me at age 15 and his knees have been in much worse shape than mine, and our doctor said this was the reason why. Granted, he was stronger than I was in high school; however, long-term...I think I am better off.

Stretching should be a part of your workout regardless of your age (Wish I had someone imprint on me the importance of good flexibility back when I first started lifting LOL)

Tight muscles around the joints (Knees) are not the problem so much as it is week tendons. My advise would be to get you kids off the couch and outside playing tag riding a bike ect. and when they start lifting weights focus on low weight high rep until they get there forum down and there base built (there is no need to rush).

Some kids have already reached their full potential in growth by the age of 15... but some do not. I started when I was 15... but their is really not an age on it. If you feel like your kid is almost ready get him doing things like push-ups and core training first.. then for a year or so do light weight in the 12 to 20 rep range. Things like flat bench.. shoulder presses.. squats... dead lifts for a while then add in other exercises as you see strength gains.