Most people believe that children should not be lifting weight.
It stunts their growth, it will warp their body image and it’s an easy way to get injured.
However, experts are now saying that the earlier kids start lifting weights, the better.
“The idea that weight lifting stunts the growth of kids is a myth,” Marcus Dripps, president of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and CEO of Corio Bay Health Group, told Coach.
“Any kind of activity that gets kids moving is good – remember childhood obesity is on the rise, and we need Aussie kids to be exercising more and lifting weights counts as part of that.”
Dr Jordan Smith, a lecturer in Physical Education from the University of Newcastle also agreed, telling the publication that the taboo around having adolescents lifting weights is one that’s been heard to break in Australia.
“Yes, it’s definitely a myth that kids shouldn’t be doing some kind of strength training and a long-held one too,” says Smith.
“Frankly there is no scientific evidence that sensible resistance training stunts growth, injures children or results in reduced height.”
Smith explains that when a resistance training program is performed sensibly, the risk involved is extremely minimal.
“Resistance training is much the same – children simply need to be shown the proper form and practise it over and over.”
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