Weight Training Questions - What Age To Start Lifting Weights

Weight Training Question:
I'm only 14 years old and I have been told that it's unhealthy and unsafe for me to exercise with weights because I'm too young. Is this true? I was also wondering if the information on this site would apply to people of my age. I'm 6'0" and weigh 165 pounds.

Weight Training Answer:
Wow, you're a big kid at only 14 years old. By adding some resistance training, you should easily be able to pack on about 15-20 pounds of solid muscle to your frame. However, before beginning any type of exercise program it's very important to receive a complete physical from your physician in order to get the go ahead to start training.

To answer your question about the safety of weight lifting at your age, this should not be an issue at all. A prominent pediatric surgeon says boys shouldn't begin lifting weights until the age of 12, and girls, until the age of 10. He advises parents to be careful before letting their preteen children begin pumping iron.

Other experts say it's extremely beneficial for young teenage kids to start weight training. The only thing they specifically note is to avoid using extremely heavy amounts of weight when performing different exercises. This is very important since your bones, ligaments and tendons are still growing and forming, so you need to be careful not to overdo it and avoid trying to lift superhuman amounts of weight to impress your friends at school.

All of the information on ShapeFit.com should be extremely helpful for you when designing a weight lifting workout routine. You can use our huge database of weight training exercise guides which covers over 500 different muscle building exercises from free weights to kettlebells and everything in between!

Something I highly recommend before starting any type of weight lifting program is to get the assistance from a qualified fitness professional so you can learn the proper form and basic techniques for training smart and safe. The last thing you want to do is get hurt within the first week or two of lifting weights only to be sidelined for several weeks in order to fully recover. The main cause of injuries is due to poor technique, so that's why a certified personal trainer at your local gym will be a huge benefit when you first get started. Not only will they provide the best information on exercise technique but they should also be able to give you insight into which foods you should include in your diet along with tips on your training routine to get the best results.

If price is a concern, you might want to call up local gyms in your area and ask them about any free children's clinics they might be offering on the weekends or holidays. Many gyms have free exercise clinics that they offer throughout the year to people from around the neighborhood. Make sure to also check with your local YMCA for these types of free offerings and for any specials on personal training sessions. You will probably be surprised on the amount of free programs and big discounts that you can receive from different companies that provide coupons. A few of the largest online coupon websites, like Groupon and Living Social, offer great deals and big discounts on many fitness programs including gym memberships, boot camps, personal training and other health related programs in your local area.

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