Just a few weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my dwelling gymnasium with my 3-year-old toddler subsequent to me, copying me together with his personal little barbell. It was a type of candy moments I can’t assist however share—I simply love these bonding moments.
Quickly after, a dad or mum messaged me: “Is that truly secure? I’ve all the time heard that weight coaching can stunt a toddler’s progress.”
And what? It’s a legitimate concern.
As a result of as mother and father, we would like our youngsters to be energetic and wholesome—however we additionally need them to be secure.
So let’s discuss that concern. The place it comes from, what the science really says, and what to look out for relating to resistance coaching for kids.
The place Did the “Lifting Stunts Development” Delusion Come From?
In the event you 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 worry of injuring one thing referred to as the progress plates—areas of creating cartilage close to the ends of youngsters’s bones, the place bone progress occurs. So naturally, the concept of loading weight onto a rising skeleton raised considerations.
Then there’s the picture of many Olympic weightlifters: quick, highly effective athletes who elevate large hundreds. It’s straightforward to imagine the game made them that approach—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 progress.
Enjoyable reality: The all-time world document 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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes progress points.
What the Science Really Says About Power Coaching and Development
Let’s begin with the large one: No, lifting weights doesn’t stunt a toddler’s progress.
In reality, when accomplished correctly, resistance coaching has no unfavourable impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it could really enhance bone density, coordination, and assist stop harm.
Particularly as your baby will get older, combining resistance coaching with different sports activities can cut back their threat of harm.
Right here’s what the analysis reveals:
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A assessment printed in Pediatrics concluded there may be no proof that youth resistance coaching negatively impacts progress plates or linear progress.
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The Nationwide Power and Conditioning Affiliation (NSCA) states that youth power coaching applications, when correctly supervised, are secure and helpful.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics helps power coaching for kids, so long as the main target is on method and never maximal weights.
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A research within the Journal of Power and Conditioning Analysis discovered that harm charges in youth weight coaching are considerably decrease than in lots of standard sports activities.
How Secure Is Youth Weight Coaching, Actually?
Let’s check out harm charges per 1,000 hours of participation throughout totally different sports activities:
| Exercise | Harm Charge |
| 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 accomplished proper.
When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Youngsters
So now that we’ve busted the parable, let’s discuss when weight coaching really can be dangerous for youths.
Like something, it will depend on the way it’s accomplished.
Weight coaching turns into an issue when:
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Youngsters elevate weights unsupervised
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Nobody checks their type or method
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They’re pushed to elevate too heavy, too quickly
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Tools isn’t suited to their measurement
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There’s no development or enough restoration
However let’s be trustworthy—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 prepare.
Easy methods to Make Power Coaching Secure for Youngsters
Right here’s the right way to maintain it secure, good, 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 children
When these issues are in place, lifting weights turns into not simply secure—it turns into a basis for future motion expertise and lifelong physique consciousness.
Why This Issues So A lot for Dad and mom
As a result of all of us need our youngsters to be sturdy, energetic, and assured. However we additionally wish to shield them.
As an alternative of avoiding power coaching or creating worry round it, let’s educate them to do it proper.
As a result of when it’s accomplished proper, power coaching doesn’t simply construct muscle. It builds resilience, confidence, and lifelong wholesome habits.
And that’s one thing value 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
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