Do any you that have sons workout together?
My son has said he wants to work out with me in the mornings.
I'm 43 and I've only been back to working out for 6 months after taking 15 years off. He's 19 and 1 yr removed from playing high school football and running track/pole vaulting.
Does anyone have any tips on working out with your children? I don't know how much he knows about working out. Should I plan out exercises for us? Should we just kind of wing-it? Should I let him lead? Should I be looking at this as more of just two people working out or keep the father/son thing in tact?
I realize I'm going to have to put my ego aside as he is definitely in better shape than I am.
I'm somewhat apprehensive, yet I think this could be really fun. Any advice will be appreciated.
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Thread: Father/Son Workout Partners
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05-21-2010, 05:36 AM #1
Father/Son Workout Partners
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05-21-2010, 05:50 AM #2
I started taking my son with me about 6 months ago. He is 13. I just started him with basic movements and teaching him correct form. I told him with time we will add weight once I feel he has the correct form down. I have him on a structure type training. Such as chest and triceps or back biceps day. I would not wing it IMO. Also I have been teaching him stuff like knowing your surrounding (such as things when doing dumbell presses and not leaving other dumbells under the bench Or watching out for others and not bumping into them or getting in their whey etc...) and other gym etiquette. So far it has been the best father son thing I have done with him so far.
Every day counts.
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05-21-2010, 05:53 AM #3
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I have two sons (now 19 & 21) and have worked out with them both on/off over the past several years. It's the best bonding time in the world, so don't even hesitate!
Just decide a day, agree on a "upper body" or "Leg Day" or whatever..and just get in there together and find out what works for you both. You can probably learn from each other from what you stated. But the best piece of advice that I can give you is this; make sure you have fun with it. As long as you lift safely, there's nothing like a little father/son competitiveness"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is "God is crying." And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is "Probably because of something you did."
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05-21-2010, 06:04 AM #4
I workout with my 16 year old son. He doesn't like the 5:00 am workouts, and has missed a few here lately. I love working out with him (good for a spot too). He has lost about 40 lbs in the past year, so he is a believer in training and diet. If nothing else, he knows "how" to do it now. Hopefully he won't end up where I did....a fat man.
If you poke a bear in the eye, expect a bear like response.
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05-21-2010, 06:23 AM #5
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I started my son working out with me when he was 14 (16 now). Had him do the same workouts as me but at a much lighter level obviously. He doesn't train with me too much anymore since I train at 6M but he will start again with me over the summer. He told me the other day he plans to get "huge" over summer and workout every day. We'll see what happens...
"Consistency, hard work and dedication is the key to success"
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05-21-2010, 07:02 AM #6
Thanks for the replies. I think just trying to keep things fun and no pressure sounds like something that will work for us. I agree that we should have some type of plan as suggested, (ex. Leg Day, Chest, Arms.....). I'll leave it up to him to decide what he wants to do.
I just hope he doesn't out lift me by too much! (J/K I would be very happy if he puts me to shame.
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05-21-2010, 07:19 AM #7
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05-21-2010, 11:09 AM #8
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I have a 23 year old son, I'm 45... I asked him over and over again when I was switching to a gym close to our house only to have him give lame excuses. On a brighter side, my wife(his step mom) works out with me a few times a week. She is 36 and not too shabby a workout partner. My biggest problem with family working out together are times when I ask for dedication and get excuses like "I'm too tired", "I had a long day"... That bothers me when I waited all day to workout and get that. I think it bothers me because I wouldn't do that to someone else even when I have zero motivation. I drag myself to the gym on those rare occasions and do at least cardio or something I enjoy. My son and I previously were on a family membership at a YMCA but the facility was farther away, not truly dedicated to weight tng and my son rarely came.
Based on my experience(s) I learned to at least workout on my own and set my own goals...On days when we are to team up, I make sure I have a backup plan. I had a few times in the past that both family members were supposed to partner up and let me down only to cause me to be mad. It goes back to expectations, and motivation... The more equal you both are in goal setting, the easier it becomes.Every man is the builder of a Temple called his body, nor can he get off by hammering marble instead. ~Henry David Thoreau
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05-21-2010, 01:12 PM #9
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05-21-2010, 01:21 PM #10
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05-21-2010, 01:48 PM #11STAND TALL AND SHAKE THE HEAVENS!!
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own." - 1 Corinthians 6:19
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05-21-2010, 01:59 PM #12
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My son, 11, has started basic compound movements 2 to 3 times a week with me in the basement. (Pull ups, dips, push-ups, and some BB movements) He has a rack of abs and has no problem challenging me when he feels I am getting off my mark.
I agree it is a great opportunity for some "great" time together.
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05-21-2010, 02:19 PM #13
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Son 20, Son 17, Daughter 14 are not training with me, but are allowing me to train them. They are bean poles who have never lifted, so we are starting with a basic 5 x 5 focusing on compound lifts.
David, a 56 year old pastor, husband and father.
1Co 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified
Best Lifts - Squat 375lbs Bench 205 lbs Deadlift 470lbs. Goals in next year? Be the best Me I can be.
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05-21-2010, 02:33 PM #14
Wow! lol ... good genes obviously.
Both my sons (28 & 22) work out with me on a regular basis. As do many of my younger son's friends fairly often. I text the oldest when I'm leaving in the morning and he meets me there on weekdays and my youngest goes with me on the weekends and if I go back in the evening. At least one of his friends goes with us every time.
The friends listen much better than he does "ma, imma pack on 20 pounds this month, hit it hard twice a day". Mmmmmm.
Downside to the boys going with me is that if someone watches me for longer than they think is appropriate they have a tendency to be stupid and say "wtf are you looking at my mother like that for?"
My daughter, 25 went with me once. She walked 10 minutes on the treadmill then laid on a matt and read a magazine for the hour and a half I was there. The only exercise she gets is walking from the front door to her car. I tell her she's not going to be thin forever and she says "when I get fat I'll go to the gym".
She obviously doesn't remember how fat I was ....When you don't know what you're talking about just stop talking.
Youll never be old and wise if you werent young and crazy.
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05-21-2010, 06:03 PM #15
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I LOVE working out with my 2 sons. They are much younger than yours though. DOn't hesitate.
Maybe you should feel it out at first by treating him more like a partner than son, and see who knows what. Determine a balance for each of your goals. I.E. - My son lifts for football. I powerlift. We compromise or do different workouts together.
My 14 year old has worked out / spotted me for a few years now. I trust his spot and opinion as I do any other partner I've had.
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05-22-2010, 01:04 AM #16
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i wish my dad would try to do somethin. my dad always pretends he is dad of the year everyday even though we barely see each other. i wish my dad would truely ask my opinion, he always does what he thinks i like and what he thinks is best and no matter what he is always right(not really but he is just full of himseld) i know he isnt stupid but i have been physically active since i was 4 years old, idk what im tryin to say but have a partnership with your son. take his advice and he will take yours. i really hope it works out for you 3 cause notin works for my family
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05-22-2010, 07:22 AM #17
Thanks for the advice. I had never thought to ask the younger members on here about what they would think about working out with their fathers. It's always good to get a different perspective.
You sound like a good kid, don't give up, just keep inviting your Dad to do things with you and eventually you'll find something you both like to do. At the same time, though, you have to keep receptive to invitations from him that he might be extending. Keep trying!
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05-22-2010, 06:08 PM #18
My son is 17. He began lifting weights when he started playing high school football a couple of years ago. I got a weight set for him to be able to workout at the house as well as school. Before long, he had me lifting with him. I hadn't lifted weights since high school myself. I didn't realize how weak, and out of shape I had become. Of course my son delighted in being able to lift more than me. He gave me motivation. I ran a Body for Life program. Dropped 30lbs, and I have been lifting every since (Bill Starr 5x5 through several resets, and now GVT).
He is older now we don't have the chance to lift as often now because of trying to work out his schedule (girlfriend, work, school) with mine. However, the time we spend working out together is very special.
I highly encourage you to work out with your son.
Time Flies.
Oh and as for ego. My son can still out lift me. That's not what its about.
My Stats Sons Stats
Bench 255 Bench 275
Squat 345 Squat 420
Deadlift 380 Deadlift 450I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
~ Philippians 4:13
"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents."
~ Andrew Carnegie
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06-29-2010, 08:38 AM #19
I revived this old thread so I didn't have to give all the background info. I have a question about training to reach a goal in bench press for my 19 yr. old son.
We've been working out regularly for the past month. We do chest once a week. We do other body parts on the other days. He also does a very high level Boot Camp training class 3 days a week.
My question is, my son has a goal in mind, he would like to increase his bench by 10% in 8 weeks before he heads back up to school.
What is the best way to train for this time frame?
My plan was to have him work on form while working up to about 85% to 90% of his 1RM and trying to increase reps with good form at this weight. Then in about 4 weeks have him max out and do the same process again, reps @ 85% to 90% of the new 1RM and then max out 4 weeks later to try and hit his goal.
Here's what I'm thinking:
Flat Bench Barbell
Warm up very light weight 12 reps
65% of 1RM 10 to 12 reps
75% of 1RM 8 reps
83% of 1RM 5-6 reps
90% of 1RM 3-4 reps
After 4 weeks do a 1RM on the Flat Bench then repeat the cycle with new weights for the next 4 weeks. In week 8 do another 1RM and see if he hit his goal.
The actual reps may vary, those listed are guesstimates.
We'll also be doing standard pyramid sets of:
Decline Bench Barbell
Incline Bench Barbell
Flat Bench Dumbell
Dips
Some questions I have:
Is this enough total reps on the flat bench barbell?
Do the weights seem reasonable on the flat bench barbell?
Should he be trying for a 1 RM every workout?
Is this enough exercise variation?
Is this plan completely wrong?
Any suggestions and all critiques are welcome.
Don't worry about being blunt or hurting my feelings, according to his mother, I have no feelings.
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06-29-2010, 08:46 AM #20
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06-29-2010, 08:56 AM #21
In regards to your question,
Yes
Yes
NO
Yes
No
With that said, you would probably be best off following a routine already developed instead of creating your own. Obviously if you want to train for strength go for a higher % of your max, but don't max out every session. Also, you may want to warm up differently when you do test your max.
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06-29-2010, 11:20 AM #22
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06-29-2010, 11:42 AM #23
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06-29-2010, 12:34 PM #24
My son is 12. Last week, we started "between season" training and conditioning. He's a baseball player with ambitions of greatness, so I told him the first thing he needs to do is work on conditioning. Right now, in addition to baseball skills practice, we're doing circuit training for strength 2-3x per week, running 3x per week-steadily building distance, and doing plyometrics and core training on Saturday mornings before hitting the batting cage. I've changed my routine so that he and I are doing the same thing because I determined that that was the best way to keep him motivated and ensure that he's getting the most out of it that he can.
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06-29-2010, 02:38 PM #25
I say go for it. I dont work out with my dad but i workout with one of my best friends and his dad. Pretty much my second dad. Theres nothing like working out with your dad/father figure. So what if he out lifts you. As long as you guys are bonding, talking about technigue or how to eat, it only makes each person better. If he played football and ran track, i hate to say it but hes probably going to outlift you. But make sure he doesnt try to let you know to much. It's only going to discourage you. As far as exercises go, make a set routine and try it out. You can always switch in different exercises. Figure out how often you two can make it to the gym and go from there. There has been times when i wished i could get my dad to come to the gym but not living with him makes its hard. Well best of luck to you and keep us updated.
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06-29-2010, 02:46 PM #26
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06-29-2010, 03:38 PM #27
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06-30-2010, 03:33 AM #28
- Join Date: May 2010
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my son and i are workout partners. he is 17 and been working out together now daily for 3 months. Neither of us knew anything about working out, so we researched everything together. Helped alot, Although, like i said he is 17 so he knows it ALL! There is honestly good days and and bad days. Some are a blast and we both feel like we got the best workout, thene there are "those" days, where he is lazy, doesnt use proper form,lightens up the weight to where my wife could outlift him (lol), and i just erks me all the hell. Him being lazy gets me, as he has had some major gains in 3 shrt months... but all in all, i love working out with him, he is probably the only spotter i trust completely, and also the best bonding we have had since he used to play pokeman and yu gi oh ( i would take him to those nerdy tournements lol)
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06-30-2010, 04:57 PM #29
Speaking on be-half or a son that use to ALWAYS be in his fathers shadow, dont let him see that what he does erks you. Yeah i see where you are coming from when he does light weights or improper techniques, but take it as it is. At least you guys are bonding and spending time. I wish my dad would come to the gym, or to my baseball and soccer games as a kid. I look back and am kinda mad that he didnt come. So as long as you guys are together things should be good. Dont take time for granite beings that it may not always be there. But continue the good work everyone is doing with their kids. Best thing to spend on a child is time.
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06-30-2010, 08:53 PM #30
My son started working out with me last year when he had turned 9, he is going to be 10 on July 5. We started with core strength training and IT training, he loves it, then we added walking he loves going for walks we started slow 2 miles a day, now we are up to 5 miles and he always wants to go further. It actually has brought us closer together, and he looks forward to it even waking up at 5 am to do our walks together. Plus it helps him in sports. I am dreading the day when he doesn't think it's cool to work out with mom anymore
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