Does Lifting Weights Stunt Progress in Youngsters? What Mother and father Have to Know

A number of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my house gymnasium with my 3-year-old toddler subsequent to me, copying me together 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 dad or mum messaged me: “Is that truly secure? I’ve all the time heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s development.”

And what? It’s a legitimate concern.

As a result of as dad and mom, we would like our children to be lively and wholesome—however we additionally need them to be secure.

So let’s speak about that concern. The place it comes from, what the science truly says, and what to look out for relating to resistance coaching for kids.

The place Did the “Lifting Stunts Progress” Fantasy Come From?

In case you grew up listening to that lifting weights too early may “harm 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 development plates—areas of growing cartilage close to the ends of kids’s bones, the place bone development occurs. So naturally, the concept of loading weight onto a rising skeleton raised issues.

Then there’s the picture of many Olympic weightlifters: quick, highly effective athletes who raise huge hundreds. It’s simple to imagine the game made them that means—however that’s not what occurred.

They’re quick as a result of that physique kind provides them a mechanical benefit within the sport. Not as a result of lifting stunted their development.

Enjoyable truth: The all-time world file 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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what truly causes development points.

What the Science Really Says About Power Coaching and Progress

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

The truth is, when accomplished correctly, resistance coaching has no adverse impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it could truly improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop harm.

Particularly as your youngster will get older, combining resistance coaching with different sports activities can cut back their danger of harm.

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 energy coaching applications, when correctly supervised, are secure and useful.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics helps energy coaching for kids, so long as the main target is on method and never maximal weights.

• A examine within the Journal of Power and Conditioning Analysis discovered that harm charges in youth weight coaching are considerably decrease than in lots of in style sports activities.

How Protected Is Youth Weight Coaching, Actually?

Let’s check out harm charges per 1,000 hours of participation throughout completely different sports activities:

Seems, resistance training is among the most secure bodily actions your youngster can do—when accomplished proper.

When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Youngsters

So now that we’ve busted the parable, let’s speak about when weight coaching truly can be dangerous for youths.

Like something, it relies on the way it’s accomplished.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Youngsters raise weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their type or method

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

• Gear isn’t suited to their dimension

• There’s no development or enough 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 practice.

Learn how to Make Power Coaching Protected for Youngsters

Right here’s preserve it secure, sensible, and useful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in energy coaching strategies and progressions
✅ Concentrate on method—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Gear that matches their physique
✅ Hold it enjoyable, skill-based, and fascinating—particularly for youthful children

When these issues are in place, lifting weights turns into not simply secure—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 robust, lively, and assured. However we additionally need to defend them.

As a substitute of avoiding energy coaching or creating worry round it, let’s train 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://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