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 house 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 dad or mum messaged me: “Is that really protected? I’ve at all times heard that weight coaching can stunt a toddler’s progress.”

And you recognize what? It’s a legitimate 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” Fable Come From?

If you happen to 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 concern 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: brief, highly effective athletes who raise large masses. It’s simple to imagine the game made them that means—however that’s not what occurred.

They’re brief as a result of that physique sort provides 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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what truly causes progress points.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 Truly Says About Energy Coaching and Development

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

The truth is, when achieved correctly, resistance coaching has no unfavorable impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it will 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:

• A evaluate printed 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 power coaching packages, when correctly supervised, are protected and helpful.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics helps power coaching for youngsters, so long as the main focus is on method and never maximal weights.

• 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 common 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:

Seems, resistance training is without doubt one of the most secure bodily actions your little one can do—when achieved 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 teenagers.

Like something, it is determined by the way it’s achieved.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Youngsters raise weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their kind or method

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

• Tools isn’t suited to their dimension

• There’s no development or ample restoration

However let’s be sincere—that’s not simply true for teenagers. That’s how adults get injured too. It appears lifting weights safely isn’t about age—it’s about how we practice.

Tips on how to Make Energy Coaching Secure for Youngsters

Right here’s learn how to hold it protected, sensible, and helpful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in power 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 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 Dad and mom

As a result of all of us need our children to be sturdy, energetic, and assured. However we additionally wish to shield them.

As an alternative of avoiding power coaching or creating concern round it, let’s educate them to do it proper.

As a result of when it’s achieved proper, power 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