Dad Seeks Advice From Other Dads

[OscarB78]

My oldest son is about to turn 14 years old. I started lifting at a gym when I was 14 years old. I was planning to get my son started with a gym membership for his 14th birthday, but my wife says he's too young. Also, he is a competitive swimmer, and his coaches are telling him to hold off until he's 17-18 years old. Is there new knowledge now that we didn't know about 29 years ago when I was 14? Is 14 considered too young now? Personally, I didn't have any problems growing, or with my joints throughout my life, and I started pretty hard at 14 years old. What are your thoughts?

[OldFartTom]

My son is 14 and in the UK, it is "too young" for gyms to allow training (insurance limitations etc). I am not aware of any study that shows normal lifting can damage the growing plates in the bones.. the usual supposed reason for kids not to lift. Further to that I have heard that as BS. When non medical people make sports related quasi science unsupported assumptions based on tradition it is called "bro science", but what is the term for the equivalent for when docs give sports related quasi science advice based on unsupported assumptions and tradition?

I know there is a sports trainer here who is teaching his son to Olly lift and at least one paediatrician here so I hope someone can give better advice than my grumbling, but IMHO, if your son is interested in learning --> start him quick before he loses interest!

[pmlock1]

I'm just a dad w/ two 19 and 18 year olds.... If your son is interested at all, in joining a gym it will not hurt him. I''ve read/heard many people saying kids shouldn't life weights until a certain age. Maybe someone needs to tell that to all the kids working on farms. There logic/science doesn't seem to align with 'farm strong'.

[illriginalized]

I began gym training at 15 for JV Football. Maybe get him to focus on movements rather than hitting it hard. Give him a year to perfect his training before it gets more serious.

[OscarB78]

Thank you for the replies. It's good advice to start him started with proper movements. I want to get him started, but not necessarily obsessed. So as long as his technique is good, I'll let him go at his own rate.. and maybe push him a little

[keyboardworkout]

Remember the difference between working out and training.

He is likely too young to follow a training plan.

[bodyhard]

I have 4 sons, they all started lifting at 13 years of age, they are all in their 30's

[PhDPepper1111]

Confirmed: My daughter has been lifting with me since she was 15. Not trying to go too heavy but she can lift!
USPA has competitors and records down to age 13.
Cutting weight is probably much more of a real concern than lifting in and of itself.

[drkelly74]

I'm just a dad w/ two 19 and 18 year olds.... If your son is interested at all, in joining a gym it will not hurt him. I''ve read/heard many people saying kids shouldn't life weights until a certain age. Maybe someone needs to tell that to all the kids working on farms. There logic/science doesn't seem to align with 'farm strong'.

Agree 100%

[Zjunky]

After puberty starts should be fine - physically. You have to look at where he stands mentally.

Is he responsible enough to learn how to lift properly without hurting himself? Is he one to bow to peer pressure to lift more than he can handle? Is he going to go off unsupervised and do something stupid? Many teenagers do stupid stuff.

And - if he does do something stupid and hurt himself, what will wife/mom say? You may need to convince her first that he is mentally ready.

[Rabbitjb]

If he’s a competitive swimmer I’d allow his coaches to determine when weight resistance plays a part

And yes joints in adolescents can be too lax and vulnerable for serious weight training so high reps rather than high weight and form is vital

[67Vert]

My 14 yr old Son and my 15 yr old daughter are both hitting the gym with me while on summer vacation.

[weiss1967]

Remember the difference between working out and training.

He is likely too young to follow a training plan.

wrong. The kid is competitive swimmer. He is already following training plan. Lifting is just different sport. For some sports you are too old if you are 12.

[Benchpresser350]

"A competitive swimmer" What will that get him in life when he's older, a job as a Dolphin? <just kidding>

"A muscle headed weightlifter" What will that get him in life when he's older? I don't know but at least he won't be a Dolphin, and the chix seem to like it, which isn't too bad for a HS boy.

I wouldn't pay too much attention to what a Swimming coach says about lifting, due to the <self interest> factor. Doesn't want to lose a player, or slow him down with added Muscle... a job as a Dolphin? <just kidding>

For a LOL Google "I lift things up and put them down Planet Fitness Commercial".... (apparently that's how some people see us--maybe it's not that far off base though).

[grapegorilla]

I started lifting at that age. I actually took a course for starting youth at my local gym which got me familiar with technique and the gym.

[Eternalstuden79]

My old headmaster at high school was an ex commonwealth weightlifting competitor.

We started lifting from 13/14as part of PE classes.