My 13 year old wants to w/o need input

[SYNBAD]

Asking here because I trust the answer I will get here.

What kind of weights can a 13 year old handle?

Do I let him go heavy or do I keep it low weight high reps?

His goal:

He is all about wrestling, he only weighs 85 lbs and is a great wrestler but wants to add muscle so he can't get tossed around by the stronger guys.

This kid has a metabolism that would make Fat Albert skinny.

He drinks 2 shakes a day to try and add weight (kid shakes can't remember name brand right now) is it ok to have him do the whey protein shakes I do?

Thanks for any input...

Rich

[StudHammer]

Weights will be fine for a 13 y.o. I wouldn't have him training for max reps or heavy weights as his body is still developing. I remember an article in one of the BB magazines out there several years ago that covered this very subject and it said rep ranges of 10-15 were optimal, but can't remember why.

As for the protein, he'll be fine with it. Protein will help with his development and recovery.

[KimberleyRN]

The issue with adding extra protein is kidney function, if you are concerned... increase his protein intake for a few months then have a renal panel drawn at the pediatrician. BUN and CRT. Those numbers will alert you if he is over doing it.

I have kidney disease and have to be careful with the proteins I take in.

I do believe that if he does too high of weight it can stress his growing ligatures, causing issues down the road. Just listen to his body... excessive joint pain may signal that you should back off on the weight.

I think it is awesome that he has come to you for advice, that tells me a lot about your relationship!

Tell him we are rooting for him!

[Joe Go]

I would let him do whatever he wants with the weights. Just watch his form and correct him when his form is wrong.

I don't have any kids, but I would not let them take supplements. Show him how to do it with food. Learning proper diet is something he can take with him the rest of his life.

[jth16]

I began working out at 12. I was doing full exercises. Just from personal experience, I say let him go for it. Under proper conditions of course. Make sure he gets form perfect before trying to add weights, but no I can remember being 12 & 13 doing barbell squats, leg press, bench press, hyper-extensions, all the stuff I do today, haha. If nothing else it made me understand hard work at a younger age, and put me physically ahead of everyone around my age.

-Jordan

[SYNBAD]

Originally Posted by Joe Go

I would let him do whatever he wants with the weights. Just watch his form and correct him when his form is wrong.

I don't have any kids, but I would not let them take supplements. Show him how to do it with food. Learning proper diet is something he can take with him the rest of his life.

Only reason I was asking about the whey is because he does eat right and plenty of food. But it just burns right through him so we was wondering if supplimenting some extra protein in with some shakes would work.

This kid is dedicated to wrestling. No junk food and no pop. He will drink pop in off season only.

[johnrich69]

Originally Posted by Joe Go

I would let him do whatever he wants with the weights. Just watch his form and correct him when his form is wrong.

I don't have any kids, but I would not let them take supplements. Show him how to do it with food. Learning proper diet is something he can take with him the rest of his life.

X2! I think that this is good advise. Let him have fun with it, and watch his form closely. His own disire will push him to want to do more and more. In the mean time just keep pumping those carbs/protiens in him so he'll have the tools that his body will need to keep going. Johnny

[SYNBAD]

Originally Posted by KimberleyRN

The issue with adding extra protein is kidney function, if you are concerned... increase his protein intake for a few months then have a renal panel drawn at the pediatrician. BUN and CRT. Those numbers will alert you if he is over doing it.

I have kidney disease and have to be careful with the proteins I take in.

I do believe that if he does too high of weight it can stress his growing ligatures, causing issues down the road. Just listen to his body... excessive joint pain may signal that you should back off on the weight.

I think it is awesome that he has come to you for advice, that tells me a lot about your relationship!

Tell him we are rooting for him!

Sweet advice, yes I'm very active and very close with both my sons.

It will be easy to get the test run since my wife is a nurse for a Private practivce Doc.

[SYNBAD]

Originally Posted by StudHammer

Weights will be fine for a 13 y.o. I wouldn't have him training for max reps or heavy weights as his body is still developing. I remember an article in one of the BB magazines out there several years ago that covered this very subject and it said rep ranges of 10-15 were optimal, but can't remember why.

As for the protein, he'll be fine with it. Protein will help with his development and recovery.

That must of been the same article I remember reading back than. I just can't remember why either. Thanks

[taf1968]

I was starting to train with weights by 7th grade . . . he'll be fine with getting started on some weight training. IMHO it's a great time to get that going. Hook 'em early and it will benefit him greatly in sports and down the road just implementing a healthy lifestyle.

Go for it!

[samori]

My youngest is 14 now. He started at 13, I had him going 10-12 reps on mostly compound movements to get him understanding form, breathing, timing, etc...
I eventually went to Rippetoes starting strength with him and closely monitored his weight increases. Did not want him to move too fast. He is starting to be able to let me know how much weight he can increase now and is fairly accurate with it.
No sups for him, he eats everything in site, he's a teenager and all.

For rippetoe info:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=998224

[keith1958]

I would not suggest training with heavy weights. He is just to young and he is still growing. He only needs a regular Multi Vitamin and no protein. He needs to keep limber also.

[ChocoChick]

If he's still growing, I would avoid movements that put compression on the growth plate. In other words, at this stage, I would favor leg press over squats.

[SYNBAD]

Originally Posted by ChocolateGirl

If he's still growing, I would avoid movements that put compression on the growth plate. In other words, at this stage, I would favor leg press over squats.

Good idea..

But this might keep him from getting taller than me.

[mtxpert]

My son has just turned 13, he lifts with the football team at the local high school 4 days a week in their off season program. The key for my son is that he is primed for lifting and developed enough to handle it according to his Primary Dr. and Endocrinologist (he had early puberty so was on an inhibitor for 4 years). He is now really starting to love it and competing with the freshman to outlift them. He is a bit of a genetic freak as my 11 year old (15 months younger) is more like your son at 83lbs and can't gain weight. I have him do pullups/pushups/walking lunges/hanging leg raises. The key is without testosterone they won't really develope much muscle but can get stronger. On the various studies I read about pre-puberty lifting is to stick to 1 set of 15 reps and you'll see a 25 to 40% increase in strength. Make sure to keep up with the supplementation of protein as they won't get it from school food...

[Delaware_Dad]

Originally Posted by SYNBAD

He is all about wrestling, he only weighs 85 lbs and is a great wrestler but wants to add muscle so he can't get tossed around by the stronger guys.

Rich

Hey Rich.. Very cool that he's so into being GOOD at sports.. Great way to get some financial help for college too!

As far as adding weight so he won't get tossed around.. I think that is more about leverage and knowing how to block the take-downs vs pure strength.. However, strength is key too..

Ever thought about getting him into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? That will definitley help him..

I wouldn't be to concerned with how much weight he's pushing.. Form is paramount to lbs. Get him using the correct form and you are golden...

[SYNBAD]

Originally Posted by Delaware_Dad

Hey Rich.. Very cool that he's so into being GOOD at sports.. Great way to get some financial help for college too!

As far as adding weight so he won't get tossed around.. I think that is more about leverage and knowing how to block the take-downs vs pure strength.. However, strength is key too..

Ever thought about getting him into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? That will definitley help him..

I wouldn't be to concerned with how much weight he's pushing.. Form is paramount to lbs. Get him using the correct form and you are golden...

Funny you should mention Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. One of the kids I coach on the wrestling team his Dad is an instructor. I told him the other day we need to work out a trade. I take his kid for weights he takes mine for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. But than my 16 year old who wrestles too jumped in and said wait what about me. So I actually think all 3 of us are going to take classes. (I need to so they don't kick my ass).

I am a stickler on form. I see someone using bad form in the gym I approach them nicely and let them know with better form they could lift more weight once they did it right for a few months. Most wont listen though because once you show them the right form and they can't lift as much as when they were cheating they go right back to poor form. But even my 16 year old was getting pissed at me when I started training him this year and he kept wanting to put weight on the bar. I would say when you press this 12 times with great form you can. He now will let me know when my form gets sloppy on a lift. lol

Appreciate the input. Repp when I reenergize..

[SYNBAD]

Originally Posted by mtxpert

My son has just turned 13, he lifts with the football team at the local high school 4 days a week in their off season program. The key for my son is that he is primed for lifting and developed enough to handle it according to his Primary Dr. and Endocrinologist (he had early puberty so was on an inhibitor for 4 years). He is now really starting to love it and competing with the freshman to outlift them. He is a bit of a genetic freak as my 11 year old (15 months younger) is more like your son at 83lbs and can't gain weight. I have him do pullups/pushups/walking lunges/hanging leg raises. The key is without testosterone they won't really develope much muscle but can get stronger. On the various studies I read about pre-puberty lifting is to stick to 1 set of 15 reps and you'll see a 25 to 40% increase in strength. Make sure to keep up with the supplementation of protein as they won't get it from school food...

He takes a small lunchbox cooler with 2 shakes in it and drinks one between classes before lunch and drinks the other one at the end of the day before wrestling. Agree with lunch protein no help..

[ntrllftr]

Originally Posted by StudHammer

Weights will be fine for a 13 y.o. I wouldn't have him training for max reps or heavy weights as his body is still developing. I remember an article in one of the BB magazines out there several years ago that covered this very subject and it said rep ranges of 10-15 were optimal, but can't remember why.

As for the protein, he'll be fine with it. Protein will help with his development and recovery.

It is great that your son wants to train. Like others said it is ok but don't push it too hard at first, Because your bones, joints, and tendons are still growing and developing, it's easy to overdo it and strain or even permanently damage them. After a couple of years i would say to go to the 6-8 rep range.
Stick to the 12 rep range for now.

My .02

[Joe Go]

Originally Posted by SYNBAD

Only reason I was asking about the whey is because he does eat right and plenty of food. But it just burns right through him so we was wondering if supplimenting some extra protein in with some shakes would work.

This kid is dedicated to wrestling. No junk food and no pop. He will drink pop in off season only.

Try feeding one half of a butternut squash before he goes to bed.

Cooking instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Toss in squash cut in half with the seeds cleaned out
Pull out 2 hours later and let cool
Enjoy

See if this gives him the energy he needs. Don't worry about the weight gain. It'll be minimal. Make sure his water intake is good.

Give this a try. He should have a ton of strength and energy after a carb load like this.

[SYNBAD]

Originally Posted by Joe Go

Try feeding one half of a butternut squash before he goes to bed.

Cooking instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Toss in squash cut in half with the seeds cleaned out
Pull out 2 hours later and let cool
Enjoy

See if this gives him the energy he needs. Don't worry about the weight gain. It'll be minimal. Make sure his water intake is good.

Give this a try. He should have a ton of strength and energy after a carb load like this.

sweet will try and maybe for myself.. lol

[SYNBAD]

Originally Posted by ntrllftr

It is great that your son wants to train. Like others said it is ok but don't push it too hard at first, Because your bones, joints, and tendons are still growing and developing, it's easy to overdo it and strain or even permanently damage them. After a couple of years i would say to go to the 6-8 rep range.
Stick to the 12 rep range for now.

My .02

Yea my goal was to keep it high reps, I told him to add strength would be good but really if he was smart he would stay light weight so he can wrestle the 103 lb class his freshman year. (2 years from now) Many schools can't fill that weight class so its the easiest way to get a varsity spot and the quickest road to state.

[alec_braithwait]

Sounds to me like your son is already on his way to being a very healthy athlete which will stand him in good stead as he gets older.

I would stick to using machines which reduce impact on joints and the risk of injury from incorrect form. Emphasis it's not an ego game and he should lift weights correctly and he will gain the strength he wants.

As for supplements, I would only add a protein shake. If you are worried about introducing too much protein, increase the water added to it. It's very hard to drink to much water.

Best of luck with his wrestling

[crazycelt]

Originally Posted by SYNBAD

Asking here because I trust the answer I will get here.

What kind of weights can a 13 year old handle?

Do I let him go heavy or do I keep it low weight high reps?

His goal:

He is all about wrestling, he only weighs 85 lbs and is a great wrestler but wants to add muscle so he can't get tossed around by the stronger guys.

This kid has a metabolism that would make Fat Albert skinny.

He drinks 2 shakes a day to try and add weight (kid shakes can't remember name brand right now) is it ok to have him do the whey protein shakes I do?

Thanks for any input...

Rich

On this site, there's a section in Teenbodybuilding.com. I found an article "Strength Training For Children and Adolescents: A guilde for parents". Take a look, see what you think.........

[Delaware_Dad]

Originally Posted by SYNBAD

Funny you should mention Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. One of the kids I coach on the wrestling team his Dad is an instructor. I told him the other day we need to work out a trade. I take his kid for weights he takes mine for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. But than my 16 year old who wrestles too jumped in and said wait what about me. So I actually think all 3 of us are going to take classes. (I need to so they don't kick my ass).

I have to say it's amazing. I JUST began taking it but my 7 year old daughter has been taking it now for a few months.. At her age it's all about having fun and learning some very basic throws, etc. I want her to feel safe and empowered.. Plus she gets such a kick out of throwing me down..

[Hikemike]

Originally Posted by StudHammer

Weights will be fine for a 13 y.o. I wouldn't have him training for max reps or heavy weights as his body is still developing. I remember an article in one of the BB magazines out there several years ago that covered this very subject and it said rep ranges of 10-15 were optimal, but can't remember why.

As for the protein, he'll be fine with it. Protein will help with his development and recovery.

I also read something on here about younger kids shouldn't lift super heavy because of growth problems. I'll try to find it.

My 15 year old started his lifting program for this years football season last month. There's nothing like seeing your son out on the field (or wrestling mat), and truly dominating his opponent! He totally loves it now, especialy since he sees how it helps in his sack and tackle numbers!! (Led the JV team in sacks and backfield tackles!)

When he works out with me, I have him do 4 sets of 10 with about 75% of his 1RM. When he can do 8 on the 4th set, we up the weight. I don't want him to get hurt, so I don't push to hard, but make sure he's using proper form, ALWAYS!

He hates protein powder, so he's eating a lot of tuna, salmon, and lean beef. He's also getting lots of carbs for the next two months (sweet potatoes, wheat pasta, etc..).

He's hoping to add about 20 lbs by the seasons start.

[SYNBAD]

Originally Posted by Hikemike

I also read something on here about younger kids shouldn't lift super heavy because of growth problems. I'll try to find it.

My 15 year old started his lifting program for this years football season last month. There's nothing like seeing your son out on the field (or wrestling mat), and truly dominating his opponent! He totally loves it now, especialy since he sees how it helps in his sack and tackle numbers!! (Led the JV team in sacks and backfield tackles!)

When he works out with me, I have him do 4 sets of 10 with about 75% of his 1RM. When he can do 8 on the 4th set, we up the weight. I don't want him to get hurt, so I don't push to hard, but make sure he's using proper form, ALWAYS!

He hates protein powder, so he's eating a lot of tuna, salmon, and lean beef. He's also getting lots of carbs for the next two months (sweet potatoes, wheat pasta, etc..).

He's hoping to add about 20 lbs by the seasons start.

Nice, yes my 16 year old has been doing weights for football and its hard as hell to get him away from the mirror.. lol