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

Just a few weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my dwelling fitness center 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 guardian messaged me: “Is that truly protected? I’ve all the time heard that weight coaching can stunt a toddler’s progress.”

And you understand what? It’s a legitimate concern.

As a result of as dad and mom, we would like our youngsters 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 on the subject of resistance coaching for kids.

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

When you 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 worry of injuring one thing known as the progress plates—areas of growing cartilage close to the ends of youngsters’s bones, the place bone progress occurs. So naturally, the thought 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 straightforward to imagine the game made them that manner—however that’s not what occurred.

They’re brief as a result of that physique kind offers 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 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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what truly causes progress points.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 large one: No, lifting weights doesn’t stunt a toddler’s progress.

In actual fact, when finished correctly, resistance coaching has no damaging impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it may possibly 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 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 energy coaching packages, when correctly supervised, are protected and useful.

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

• A research 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 Secure Is Youth Weight Coaching, Actually?

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

Seems, resistance training is among the most secure bodily actions your baby can do—when finished 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 relies on the way it’s finished.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Youngsters raise weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their type or approach

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

• Tools isn’t suited to their dimension

• There’s no development or enough 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.

Make Power Coaching Secure for Youngsters

Right here’s easy methods to hold it protected, sensible, and useful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in energy coaching strategies and progressions
✅ Give attention to approach—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Tools that matches their physique
✅ Preserve 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 abilities and lifelong physique consciousness.

Why This Issues So A lot for Dad and mom

As a result of all of us need our youngsters to be sturdy, energetic, and assured. However we additionally wish 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 finished proper, energy coaching doesn’t simply construct muscle. It builds resilience, confidence, and lifelong wholesome habits.

And that’s one thing price 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