Does Lifting Weights Stunt Development in Youngsters? 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 gymnasium 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 mum or dad messaged me: “Is that truly protected? I’ve all the time heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s progress.”

And you already know 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 really says, and what to look out for relating to resistance coaching for kids.

The place Did the “Lifting Stunts Development” Fable Come From?

When you 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 worry of injuring one thing referred to as the progress plates—areas of growing cartilage close to the ends of kids’s bones, the place bone progress 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 elevate huge hundreds. It’s simple to imagine the game made them that method—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 progress.

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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes progress points.

What the Science Truly Says About Energy Coaching and Development

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

In truth, when completed correctly, resistance coaching has no unfavorable impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it could actually really improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop damage.

Particularly as your baby will get older, combining resistance coaching with different sports activities can scale back their danger of damage.

Right here’s what the analysis reveals:

• A assessment revealed in Pediatrics concluded there may be no proof that youth resistance coaching negatively impacts progress plates or linear progress.

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

• The American Academy of Pediatrics helps energy coaching for kids, so long as the main target is on method 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 common sports activities.

How Secure Is Youth Weight Coaching, Actually?

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

Seems, resistance training is likely one of the most secure bodily actions your baby can do—when completed proper.

When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Youngsters

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

Like something, it depends upon the way it’s completed.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Youngsters elevate weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their type or method

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

• Tools isn’t suited to their dimension

• 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.

Make Energy Coaching Secure for Youngsters

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

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in energy coaching strategies and progressions
✅ Deal with method—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 children to be robust, energetic, and assured. However we additionally wish to shield 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 completed 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