A number of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my residence health club with my 3-year-old toddler subsequent to me, copying me together with his personal little barbell. It was a kind of candy moments I can’t assist however share—I simply love these bonding moments.
Quickly after, a mother or father messaged me: “Is that really protected? I’ve at all times heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s progress.”
And you realize what? It’s a sound concern.
As a result of as dad and mom, we wish our children 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 truly says, and what to look out for in the case of resistance coaching for youngsters.
The place Did the “Lifting Stunts Development” Delusion Come From?
In the event you grew up listening to that lifting weights too early may “injury your bones” or “make you shorter,” you’re not alone. That perception has been round for some time.
However the place did it truly come from?
A part of it’s linked to the worry of injuring one thing known as the progress plates—areas of creating cartilage close to the ends of youngsters’s bones, the place bone progress occurs. So naturally, the concept 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 method—however that’s not what occurred.
They’re quick as a result of that physique sort offers them a mechanical benefit within the sport. Not as a result of lifting stunted their progress.
Enjoyable truth: The all-time world report holder in snatch and clear and jerk, Lasha Talakhadze, is a towering 6 ft 6 inches tall (197 cm).
The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what truly causes progress points.
What the Science Really Says About Energy Coaching and Development
Let’s begin with the massive one: No, lifting weights doesn’t stunt a baby’s progress.
The truth is, when accomplished correctly, resistance coaching has no unfavourable impact on bone improvement. Quite the opposite, it could possibly truly improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop harm.
Particularly as your little one will get older, combining resistance coaching with different sports activities can scale back their danger of harm.
Right here’s what the analysis exhibits:
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A assessment revealed in Pediatrics concluded there may be no proof that youth resistance coaching negatively impacts progress plates or linear progress.
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The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) states that youth energy coaching applications, when correctly supervised, are protected and helpful.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics helps energy coaching for youngsters, so long as the main focus is on method and never maximal weights.
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A research within the Journal of Energy and Conditioning Analysis discovered that harm charges in youth weight coaching are considerably decrease than in lots of in style sports activities.
How Secure Is Youth Weight Coaching, Actually?
Let’s check out harm charges per 1,000 hours of participation throughout completely different sports activities:
| Exercise | Damage Charge |
| Supervised Weight Coaching | ~0.7 accidents |
| Gymnastics | 0.5 – 1.3 accidents |
| Soccer (Coaching) | 3.7 – 11.1 accidents |
| Soccer (Video games) | 9.5 – 48.7 accidents |
| Basketball | 14 – 22 accidents |
| American Soccer | 5.7 – 6.8 accidents |
Seems, resistance training is without doubt one of the most secure bodily actions your little one can do—when accomplished proper.
When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Youngsters
So now that we’ve busted the parable, let’s discuss when weight coaching truly can be dangerous for youths.
Like something, it depends upon the way it’s accomplished.
Weight coaching turns into an issue when:
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Youngsters carry weights unsupervised
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Nobody checks their kind or method
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They’re pushed to carry too heavy, too quickly
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Tools isn’t suited to their measurement
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There’s no development or sufficient restoration
However let’s be trustworthy—that’s not simply true for youths. That’s how adults get injured too. It appears lifting weights safely isn’t about age—it’s about how we prepare.
How you can Make Energy Coaching Secure for Youngsters
Right here’s how you can hold it protected, good, and helpful:
✅ Supervision by somebody educated in energy coaching methods and progressions
✅ Give attention to method—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Tools that matches their physique
✅ Maintain it enjoyable, skill-based, and fascinating—particularly for youthful youngsters
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 Mother and father
As a result of all of us need our children to be sturdy, energetic, and assured. However we additionally wish to defend them.
As an alternative of avoiding energy coaching or creating worry round it, let’s educate them to do it proper.
As a result of when it’s accomplished 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://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3483033/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3418954/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0949328X20301903
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