Bodybuilding and kids

[tnthudson]

EliteFTS posted a link to a Today show story/video regarding bodybuilding and pre-teens/young teens. Pretty interesting...even though they confuse strength training and bodybuilding and the kid's form on the vid is not good, it raises some interesting questions.
I began lifting at 14 and my oldest kid began at 13, and my youngest works with a kettlebell at 11...so I obviously am okay with kids working out to a degree.
Anyway, here's the story, I found it interesting because it does deal directly with 'bodybuilding.'
http://tinyurl.com/3s7fl96

[ljimd]

OP, I agree with you. The Today show is not a place I would look to for bbing or nutrition advice. It was a bland uninformed opinion piece. But the kid did look good and hopefully he will continue in bbing. Kudos to the parents for their encouragement.

[crupiea]

I can see the writing on the wall with this story.

used to be that steve reeves was the man and everyone wanted to look like him.

Now, if you cant grate cheese on your abs then you arent getting any play.

Kids are an untapped market for people to exploit and pieces like this are just a trial balloon to see how well its recieved. if people run with it then we will see biggest losers for kids, getting ripped for ore teens shows, you name it.

In a couple years if your 10 year old gets invited to a pool party, he better be ripped and tan or it will be humiliated.

I think its fine for kids to lift with moderation but the media needs to leave them alone and let them have fun.

[tmonkey]

did not read the article but this was my gym last night

[hypnocrip]

Right now my 14yo (began at 12yo) and 11yo train with me for football/wrestling. They are really into it and it's great motivation to see their genuine enthusiam. We make sure they know the difference between their new found confidence and arrogance. It's not hard to imagine how the media could help warp kids sensibilities about bodybuilding/training. Just look at Teen Mom.

[hypnocrip]

did not read the article but this was my gym last night

Way to lay the basics down (trap bar)

[Marius_Ursus]

So you're saying Jake's right on schedule?

[hypnocrip]

This is one of those times my proud father ego wishes that I could post pics.

[Inthegrass]

I would worry that too intense a training with heavy weights could be dangerous to growth plate development in young kids whose bodies are in a state of rapid growth and development.
What do others think about that here?

[erikjh]

I would worry that too intense a training with heavy weights could be dangerous to growth plate development in young kids whose bodies are in a state of rapid growth and development.
What do others think about that here?

there is still so much about the human body we dont know, so who really knows.

i was just reading about shoulder injuries in baseball players(little leauge and up) and now they are saying things totally different when it comes to rehabing and what piches they should be throwing. so who knows.

[hypnocrip]

You can find research that supports both sides. I was told to start them with compound movements and gradually as they grew integrate in more isolated exercises. It is working for my crew, but to each his own.

[paqua17]

did not read the article but this was my gym last night

Damn you're son is stronger than me

[drudixon]

did not read the article but this was my gym last night

Kid needs to straighten his back, get his hips down.....


j/k Love seeing kid's lift. I was thrilled when I learned all that stunt your growth stuff was crap.

[cmbg]

My 15 year old son has been lifting for a while for football and has a physical conditioning class in his high school (where they lift and run). He's decided football really isn't his thing.

Now he is considering powerlifting

[Marius_Ursus]

My 15 year old son has been lifting for a while for football and has a physical conditioning class in his high school (where they lift and run). He's decided football really isn't his thing.

Now he is considering powerlifting

Please congratulate him for me on his excellent idea. (srs)

Don't get me wrong. I love the ideal of the football player...athletics and all that...but understandably, powerlifting gets me all twitterpated.

[tnthudson]

I was just glad when my 14-year-old (whose biggest interest so far has been WOW and Runescape, and an occasional dip in our pool) came home from his first overnight field trip (yes, chaperoned) and immediately wanted to lift.
My dad pulled out of him that he'd met some gal(s) and he hasn't quit lifting since, has been doing SS for a couple of months. Testosterone rules.

[tmonkey]

yep it is all fine and good until they start curling



In the squat rack

[tnthudson]

yep it is all fine and good until they start curling



In the squat rack

That's my power rack! Nice setup you've got there. And one heckuva strong kid!

[tmonkey]

That's my power rack! Nice setup you've got there. And one heckuva strong kid!

he is squatting 315

(the bar is on the outside safties - that bar weighs 67lbs on its own - it is a solid beast)