Buying Weights For 11 Year Old

[ChrisKite]

My 11 year old son has been wanting to lift weights for a year, so I'm thinking about buying him a weight set for Christmas. When I was his age, my parents bought me a Sears and Roebuck set, which consisted of a rickety bench and maybe 120 pounds of concrete weights. I'm thinking something inexpensive that "might" be the way to go. But, I don't know if I should instead buy some nice stuff that he can build on as he gets older, but who knows if he will stick with it. If any dads out there, who have been in this situation, have an feedback, I'd be grateful.

[Rsurf72]

My 11 year old son has been wanting to lift weights for a year, so I'm thinking about buying him a weight set for Christmas. When I was his age, my parents bought me a Sears and Roebuck set, which consisted of a rickety bench and maybe 120 pounds of concrete weights. I'm thinking something inexpensive that "might" be the way to go. But, I don't know if I should instead buy some nice stuff that he can build on as he gets older, but who knows if he will stick with it. If any dads out there, who have been in this situation, have an feedback, I'd be grateful.

I'd go with the lighter set and after a while if he masters it (15-20 reps max weight for sets) and wants to go further then go for it.

This way also builds a powerful foundation

11 is young af.

[grapegorilla]

My 11 year old son has been wanting to lift weights for a year, so I'm thinking about buying him a weight set for Christmas. When I was his age, my parents bought me a Sears and Roebuck set, which consisted of a rickety bench and maybe 120 pounds of concrete weights. I'm thinking something inexpensive that "might" be the way to go. But, I don't know if I should instead buy some nice stuff that he can build on as he gets older, but who knows if he will stick with it. If any dads out there, who have been in this situation, have an feedback, I'd be grateful.

I started at similar age. Parents bought me 1” bar, bench with uprights, and concrete weights package. That came with a poster of exercises and it got me started. I eventually asked my parents to enrol me in a course at the local community centre to show me proper form. That course plus the weights took me through most of high school.

[Heisman2]

Might want to get a sandbag or two. Can do lots of movements with it, likely won't injury himself with it, and obviously can adjust the weight as he gets stronger.

Do you have dumbbells of some sort? Light dumbbells could go a long way.

[HomeGymChains]

A compromise might be a 100ish-pound standard plate set. The iron plates are more durable than plastic and concrete and can be used even in the future for making multiple dumbbells. Should be significantly cheaper than an Olympic set.

[DougyF7]

Could bring him to the gym with you a few times and see how he likes lifting (assuming it's allowed). My mom did that for me and it's what got me into lifting. Having some weights at home is always nice, too.

[EricAtl]

Just remember safety first, don’t want any injuries.

[coachcalande]

My kids have had access to my gym starting at about that age. The real serious stuff began at age 13.

My 15 year old hit a nice deep 305 squat last night.

[TolerantLactose]

OP, do you have your own home gym or will your son being lifting on his own?

[snailsrus]

I'd go with the lighter set and after a while if he masters it (15-20 reps max weight for sets) and wants to go further then go for it.

This way also builds a powerful foundation

11 is young af.

I got my first gym membership at 11. The bar was to heavy to bench but I built up with machines and dumb bells

Op: I would start with a good set of adjustable db. There is a lot you can do, then look into a power rack for next year if he sticks with it

[Duplicitous]

+1 on the adjustable dumbbell set. Those and an FID or even FI bench will get him started and the DBs will be safer than a barbell if he's lifting alone.

[BenMcLeodNZ]

Standard (1 inch) barbell, 4 dumbbell rods and a bunch of plates is the way to go. Plus a flat bench.

[Wildtim]

At 11 he's not going to benefit physically or make huge gains but building motor skills and discipline are well worth the time.

A decent standard plate set with a bench are all you need. If he sticks with it you're looking at upgrading in just a couple of years, but these plates will still be a good dumbbell set for years to come.

[evankyle]

I got a 25 pound bar. I think it was from Rogue. My kids have outgrown the 25 pound barbell but it is still useful for some exercises. Start them slow and see if they enjoy it. My kids now in high school workout 3 days a week part of the year but I do not have them lift during the fall seasons they have practice daily. Ideally they would lift even in season but that would be up to them.

If you are also using the weights investing in a home gym is a great investment.

It is easier for my kids to lift at home and a big time saver.

[coachcalande]

Home gym makes a ton of sense. Every year we seem to add or improve…..

We just added 70 pounds of iron here Christmas morning and a couple of pretty great tee shirts:

Mine : “The Squatfather”. A second that says “Let me know if my biceps get in your way”

My sons new sleeveless tee: “I flexed and the sleeves flew off”, He also got some Whey as a gift from someone.

I contemplated gifting some of my old bodybuilding books to him but doubt they’d have the meaning that they should.

The home gym has a new wireless Bluetooth speaker now too.

[DutchB1]

Might want to get a sandbag or two. Can do lots of movements with it, likely won't injury himself with it, and obviously can adjust the weight as he gets stronger.

Do you have dumbbells of some sort? Light dumbbells could go a long way.

+1 on sandbags to start or sandbells especially if he might get to the weights and try to lift without supervision. Rogue has a 5LB OSO bar that is for teaching lifting and I am pretty sure I saw an ELIEKO set for youth. Focus being on teaching the skills not moving any significant weight.

[paulinkansas]

Get a puppy of a medium to large sized dog. Your kid can do "dog lifts" and the weight will progress as the puppy grows to be an adult dog. I did this when I was 12 or 13 with a German shephard. A "dog lift" is sort of like a dead lift, where you cradle the dog and pick him up until he doesn't like it anymore.

[evankyle]

at that age, also look into slam balls. very versatile

[Duplicitous]

Get a puppy of a medium to large sized dog. Your kid can do "dog lifts" and the weight will progress as the puppy grows to be an adult dog. I did this when I was 12 or 13 with a German shephard. A "dog lift" is sort of like a dead lift, where you cradle the dog and pick him up until he doesn't like it anymore.

A dog isn't an accessory nor should anyone be encouraging their kids to "pick (one) up until he doesn't like it anymore." That's a good way to get bitten, which is bad news for the kid and worse news for the dog. JFC.

[BigAlexG]

I started training my kids at home when they were 11. I'm in a slightly different situation as I already had an equipped home gym, so all I got was a 15lbs kids training bar and we were set.

If I were you, I would get a proper squat/safety rack, a kids/juniors training bar that accepts 2"/Olympic sized plates, and get a few plates to start. Maybe some smaller dumbbells.

But even more important than the equipment, is proper technique, training, and supervision. You really need to do your research before cutting lose a kid in a gym.

[evankyle]

At that age my kids were also using a 25 pound trap hex bar. The manufacturers actually often charge more for the lighter bars.