Does Lifting Weights Stunt Progress in Children? What Mother and father Have to Know

A couple of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my dwelling fitness center with my 3-year-old toddler subsequent to me, copying me together 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 mother or father messaged me: “Is that truly secure? I’ve all the time heard that weight coaching can stunt a toddler’s development.”

And you understand what? It’s a legitimate concern.

As a result of as dad and mom, we wish 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 in terms of resistance coaching for kids.

The place Did the “Lifting Stunts Progress” Fable Come From?

In case you grew up listening to that lifting weights too early may “harm 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 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 considerations.

Then there’s the picture of many Olympic weightlifters: brief, highly effective athletes who carry large masses. It’s straightforward to imagine the game made them that manner—however that’s not what occurred.

They’re brief 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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes development points.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 Energy Coaching and Progress

Let’s begin with the massive one: No, lifting weights doesn’t stunt a toddler’s development.

In actual fact, when achieved correctly, resistance coaching has no unfavourable impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it will possibly really improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop damage.

Particularly as your little one will get older, combining resistance coaching with different sports activities can scale back their danger of damage.

Right here’s what the analysis reveals:

• A evaluate printed in Pediatrics concluded there may be no proof that youth resistance coaching negatively impacts development plates or linear development.

• The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) states that youth energy coaching packages, when correctly supervised, are secure and useful.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics helps energy coaching for kids, so long as the main focus is on method and never maximal weights.

• A examine within the Journal of Energy and Conditioning Analysis discovered that damage charges in youth weight coaching are considerably decrease than in lots of well-liked sports activities.

How Secure Is Youth Weight Coaching, Actually?

Let’s check out damage charges per 1,000 hours of participation throughout completely different sports activities:

Seems, resistance training is without doubt one of the most secure bodily actions your little one can do—when achieved 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 will depend on the way it’s achieved.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Children carry weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their kind or method

• They’re pushed to carry too heavy, too quickly

• Tools isn’t suited to their measurement

• There’s no development or ample 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.

Tips on how to Make Energy Coaching Secure for Children

Right here’s easy methods to maintain it secure, good, and useful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in energy coaching methods and progressions
✅ Give attention to method—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Tools that matches their physique
✅ Maintain it enjoyable, skill-based, and fascinating—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 Mother and father

As a result of all of us need our youngsters to be robust, energetic, and assured. However we additionally wish to defend them.

As a substitute of avoiding energy coaching or creating worry round it, let’s train them to do it proper.

As a result of when it’s achieved proper, energy 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://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/145/6/e20201011/76942/Resistance-Training-for-Children-and-Adolescents

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3483033/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3418954/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0949328X20301903

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5538a1.htm