A couple of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my house health club with my 3-year-old toddler subsequent to me, copying me along with his personal little barbell. It was a kind of candy moments I can’t assist however share—I simply love these bonding moments.
Quickly after, a guardian messaged me: “Is that really protected? I’ve all the time heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s development.”
And you understand what? It’s a sound concern.
As a result of as mother and father, we wish our children to be energetic and wholesome—however we additionally need them to be protected.
So let’s discuss that concern. The place it comes from, what the science really says, and what to look out for on the subject of resistance coaching for youngsters.
The place Did the “Lifting Stunts Development” Fantasy Come From?
For those who grew up listening to that lifting weights too early might “injury your bones” or “make you shorter,” you’re not alone. That perception has been round for some time.
However the place did it really come from?
A part of it’s linked to the concern of injuring one thing known as the development plates—areas of growing cartilage close to the ends of youngsters’s bones, the place bone development occurs. So naturally, the concept of loading weight onto a rising skeleton raised issues.
Then there’s the picture of many Olympic weightlifters: quick, highly effective athletes who carry huge hundreds. It’s simple to imagine the game made them that manner—however that’s not what occurred.
They’re quick as a result of that physique sort provides them a mechanical benefit within the sport. Not as a result of lifting stunted their development.
Enjoyable reality: The all-time world file holder in snatch and clear and jerk, Lasha Talakhadze, is a towering 6 toes 6 inches tall (197 cm).
The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes development points.
What the Science Truly Says About Power Coaching and Development
Let’s begin with the massive one: No, lifting weights doesn’t stunt a baby’s development.
In actual fact, when finished correctly, resistance coaching has no adverse impact on bone improvement. Quite the opposite, it will probably really enhance bone density, coordination, and assist stop damage.
Particularly as your baby will get older, combining resistance coaching with different sports activities can cut back their threat of damage.
Right here’s what the analysis exhibits:
-
A overview revealed in Pediatrics concluded there’s no proof that youth resistance coaching negatively impacts development plates or linear development.
-
The Nationwide Power and Conditioning Affiliation (NSCA) states that youth power coaching packages, when correctly supervised, are protected and helpful.
-
The American Academy of Pediatrics helps power coaching for youngsters, so long as the main target is on method and never maximal weights.
-
A examine within the Journal of Power and Conditioning Analysis discovered that damage charges in youth weight coaching are considerably decrease than in lots of fashionable sports activities.
How Protected Is Youth Weight Coaching, Actually?
Let’s check out damage charges per 1,000 hours of participation throughout completely different sports activities:
| Exercise | Harm Price |
| Supervised Weight Coaching | ~0.7 accidents |
| Gymnastics | 0.5 – 1.3 accidents |
| Soccer (Coaching) | 3.7 – 11.1 accidents |
| Soccer (Video games) | 9.5 – 48.7 accidents |
| Basketball | 14 – 22 accidents |
| American Soccer | 5.7 – 6.8 accidents |
Seems, resistance coaching is without doubt one of the most secure bodily actions your baby can do—when finished proper.
When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Children
So now that we’ve busted the parable, let’s discuss when weight coaching really can be dangerous for youths.
Like something, it relies on the way it’s finished.
Weight coaching turns into an issue when:
-
Children carry weights unsupervised
-
Nobody checks their type or method
-
They’re pushed to carry too heavy, too quickly
-
Tools isn’t suited to their measurement
-
There’s no development or enough restoration
However let’s be sincere—that’s not simply true for youths. That’s how adults get injured too. It appears lifting weights safely isn’t about age—it’s about how we practice.
Learn how to Make Power Coaching Protected for Children
Right here’s find out how to preserve it protected, sensible, and helpful:
✅ Supervision by somebody educated in power coaching strategies and progressions
✅ Concentrate on method—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Tools that matches their physique
✅ Maintain it enjoyable, skill-based, and interesting—particularly for youthful youngsters
When these issues are in place, lifting weights turns into not simply protected—it turns into a basis for future motion expertise and lifelong physique consciousness.
Why This Issues So A lot for Mother and father
As a result of all of us need our children to be sturdy, energetic, and assured. However we additionally need to shield them.
As an alternative of avoiding power coaching or creating concern round it, let’s educate them to do it proper.
As a result of when it’s finished proper, power coaching doesn’t simply construct muscle. It builds resilience, confidence, and lifelong wholesome habits.
And that’s one thing price lifting for. Wouldn’t you agree? —Marlene
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3483033/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3418954/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0949328X20301903