At What Age Should You Begin Lifting Weights?
03/12/2010 |
Question:
How old should you be to start lifting weights? My son is 12 and I think he’s too young.
Answer:
I think that weight lifting at any age should be supervised and well thought out. I would encourage your son to use his body weight for most of the movements that he would do in the weight room. For example, he could do:
- step lunges with high repetitions (3×20)
- body weight squats 3×20-25 repetitions
- single leg squat 3×15
- calf raise of the edge of a stair 3×35
- push-ups 200 reps a day
- sit-ups 200-300 reps a day
- bench dips 3×12
- chin-ups 3×12
- pull-ups 3×12
Bicep curls would be the only free weight exercise I would look at doing: 3×12 with 15lbs.
All of the exercises I gave you will provide total body strength. Bicep curls are optional because the other upper body exercises will develop his biceps.
Hope this helps – good luck.
For more information:
Go to the Athletic Training health topic.