Awareness around healthy living is on the rise. The health industry is booming, and with it, old health myths. There is one particular myth about gym that I’m sure we’ve all heard before, ‘lifting heavy weights can stunt your growth!’ and if you’re a parent of a child that’s under the age of 18 who’s keen on weight lifting, the question may be riddling your mind.
The concern seems to be widely spread and there are those who claim its legitimacy. The good news is, however, that if your child wants to start – or carry on – lifting weights, they’ll be fine if they take caution and understand the right safety measures. This is because there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that weight lifting stunts growth.
However, there is scientific-based evidence that shows if kids follow supervised resistance training programs that are designed for them, there are many benefits to be found.
How To Lift Weights Safely
Share these safety techniques with your child to ensure that they’re protecting themselves against injuries:
Take It Slow And Steady
Every weight lifter wants to jump to the heaviest weights possible. When starting out however, one may find that they have quite the way to go before they master the technique of the exercise itself. Rushing the process and increasing the weight too quickly can put you at risk to injuries.
It is recommended to start with lighter weights and higher reps to master the form and technique of the exercise. Once the you’ve mastered the technique, gradually increase your weights over the weeks.
Have Healthy Goals
Most weight lifters get absorbed by their goals to be the biggest weight lifter the gym has ever seen.
“When a child is able to lift heavier weight due to strength training it is usually due to increased muscular performance rather than an increase in the size of the muscle,” Dr. Alex Tauberg, DC, CSCS, CCSP, explains. He recommends that children receive exercise programs that are designed with this in mind.
Is It Time?
It’s not possible to determine whether a teen should start lifting weights based on their age. It needs to be determined on an individual basis.
What’s most important is supervision and maturity. Without these two pillars of protection, one may never learn the right technique, caution and discipline with lifting weights.
Serious Supervision
A minor starting out at the gym should always be accompanied by a professional who can help them perfect their technique. A personal trainer or coach can also lend a hand in creating a program fit for your child.
Conclusion
The myth that weight lifting will stunt your growth most likely came from concerns around damaging the growth plates – cartilaginous areas of growth tissue at th ends of bones – before physical maturity is reached.
However, there is zero scientific evidence to support this myth. If proper precaution is taken and a supervisor is there to ensure a safe workout, then there will be a very low risk of any injury occurring.
