Weight Training Safety for Children

Posted in: Health
August 31, 2010 with 3 Comments

Dr. Peter Armstrong has some good advice to make sure your kids are safe when they’re weightlifting.

Print Friendly

About Susan Merrill: I'm just doing my best to be my best like pretty much every other mom I know.

All Posts by  |  Twitter  |  Facebook
  • Martin

    Ages? I’ve heard that there is an age before which weight training is discouraged and can be dangerous for physical development in children. The video didn’t give any age restrictions but the images seemed to indicate the advice was geared more toward high school aged kids. What about pre-puberty ages?

    • iMom

      Hi Martin! We reached out to Dr. Armstrong who appears in this video and we asked him your question. Here is his response!

      “If your child is ready to participate in organized sports or activities such as baseball, soccer, or gymnastics, it is usually safe to start strength training.
      Consider having child checked by a physician before beginning.
      A child’s strength training program shouldn’t be a scaled down version of an adult’s weight training program. A trainer who has experience in working with kids should design a program for your child and show your child the proper techniques, safety precautions, and how to properly use the equipment.
      Kids as young as 7 or 8 years old can usually do strength training activities starting with things like push ups and sit ups. Begin the exercises without weights to learn the proper technique and then begin to gradually add weights.
      The program should be part of an overall fitness program that includes aerobic exercise, healthy diet and adequate fluid intake.”

      Hope that helps!

  • Susanne

    My powerlifting/strength coach husband says 12.