steve coach,
What would you recommend for teenagers when it’s time to start lifting weights? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
thank you hong kong
The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks as long as you use correct form and stay light.
Dear H.K.
It’s a common belief that weightlifting is bad for young bodies until they’re in their teens. There is some truth to this statement, but let’s make a big distinction between strength training and weight training.
that is Widely believed among medical professionals Moderate strength training can be fine and even beneficial starting with boys and girls as young as 6 or 7 years old.
Some of the benefits: Look and feel healthy, maintain a healthy weight, and build the mental and physical discipline to play for competitive teams at a young age.
When I say strength training, I mean bodyweight training (push-ups, planks, sit-ups, pull-ups) and light level weightlifting (dumbbells, kettlebells, athletic bands, some machines) at high reps. is to do Repeat. As a baseline, do 1-3 sets with a weight that can be repeated 10-15 times.
But before you do anything, get your daughter checked by her pediatrician to see if she needs any health precautions. Then find a certified professional to help develop a safe program for her. Each program is different because each person is different and each child and family has unique exercise goals.
Your physical education teacher may be able to help, or your local high school coach may introduce the program to the school’s athletic and strength coaches. You can also find medical professionals at the YMCA or your local gym. If you don’t want to pay for a trainer, the gym or her YMCA membership offers some free training sessions so you can join in and make a plan that works for your daughter.
And every time she works out, be sure to work out with this expert or experts. Eligible Counterpart. Now is not the time to work out only with friends. Wrong lifting not only develops bad form habits (correct form is essential to getting stronger), but it can also cause muscle and growth plate damage. A setback like this would require an extended period of rest and perhaps more intimately, time for her to be away from the activities she loves.
Also, make sure you take at least one day off between sessions.
This is not bodybuilding. It’s not your intention to build muscle from a young age on your child. Strength training can actually help boys and girls reduce injuries while playing sports. It’s a great way to maintain a high self-esteem if they don’t play for the team, but wasn’t that necessary?
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No matter what program your child is in now, whether it’s training specific muscles for a sport they’ll be competing in in high school or college, or staying motivated to exercise into adulthood, it’s important for the rest of their lives (adolescence). and later). Training that begins at an early age can gradually build weight, adjust, and maintain it. until the teens and for life.
Mr. Hong, you can tell your daughter that professional athletes cherish their routines, whether it’s swinging and hitting ground balls before every game, or hitting lots of jumpers after the game. Professionals often have people to work with and motivate them. As such, I also recall a similar question from a reader I recently received…
Any questions for Coach Steve that you’d like answered in a future column? Email him [email protected]
At what age would you consider getting a personal trainer for an athlete?
Scott B.
A trainer can be an important source of strength and confidence.Make sure your child is fully grown
There are at least a few types of personal trainers you can find for youth and teenage athletes. One can support strength and conditioning (see above). He’s also a more specific coach (such as a hitting coach or a shooting coach) who helps you fine-tune your skills in a particular sport.
At what age to start training is a difficult question. Everyone wants their child to be the best, and in this heavily monitored world of youth sports, there is an urge to start personal training as soon as possible.
But sometimes you’re too young to start working with someone. If your child has difficulty completing a sports practice or session with a trainer without distractions, it’s probably too early to start with a trainer or sports coach. Wait for more focus.
When my oldest son was 9 or 10, I already had him coached in hitting and pitching, but it was probably too early in his case. At one point, a pitching coach asked him, “Do you want to stay here?” Like many parents, I’ve moved on and he’s only 16 and working under the same coach who has done wonders for his pitching. But he could have saved a few bucks had he waited longer to start using the private coach.
No need to spend a lot of money. Maybe the team’s coach can provide some tips.coach i love watching my players prosper.
During your child’s training sessions, take notes and be willing to evolve with the times (as well as retain insights from the sport’s glorious days). That way, you can manage your lessons yourself when you’re on vacation or when the cost of a regular trainer is too high.
Familiarizing yourself with a player’s routine is a great way to bond with your son or daughter, especially at a young age. You can always return to the trainer if necessary, even after your athletic career has progressed.
As I have seen with my own sons, elsewherethe right personal trainer can be an important motivator, inspiration, and friend.
Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been the editor and writer of USA TODAY since 1999. He coached his two sons’ baseball and basketball teams during his ten years. He and his wife, Colleen, are now lovingly living as high school and middle school sports-playing parents. Click here for past columns.
