Does Lifting Weights Stunt Development in Youngsters? What Dad and mom Must Know

A number of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my residence 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 mum or dad messaged me: “Is that really secure? I’ve at all times 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 would like our children to be energetic and wholesome—however we additionally need them to be secure.

So let’s discuss that concern. The place it comes from, what the science truly says, and what to look out for in terms of resistance coaching for youngsters.

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

For those who 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 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: brief, highly effective athletes who elevate large hundreds. It’s straightforward to imagine the game made them that method—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 reality: The all-time world report 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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what truly causes progress points.

What the Science Truly Says About Power Coaching and Development

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

The truth is, when executed correctly, resistance coaching has no destructive impact on bone improvement. Quite the opposite, it might probably truly improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop damage.

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

Right here’s what the analysis reveals:

• A evaluation printed in Pediatrics concluded there’s 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 secure and helpful.

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

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

How Protected 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 among the most secure bodily actions your baby can do—when executed 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 will depend on the way it’s executed.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Youngsters elevate weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their type or approach

• They’re pushed to elevate 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.

How one can Make Power Coaching Protected for Youngsters

Right here’s find out how to maintain it secure, good, and helpful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in power coaching strategies and progressions
✅ Deal with approach—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Gear that matches their physique
✅ Preserve 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 abilities 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 a substitute of avoiding power coaching or creating concern round it, let’s educate them to do it proper.

As a result of when it’s executed 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