The best time for a child to start exercising

[Jax_Briggs]

I have a boy 2 years old. I was wondering what the best age is for him to start exercising. I teach him how to stretch and relax but I don't know when to start weight lifting.

[blairxeim]

I have a boy 2 years old. I was wondering what the best age is for him to start exercising. I teach him how to stretch and relax but I don't know when to start weight lifting.

maybe not until they're 14 or 15. As the bones are still developing and you run the risk of the bones weakening. But teaching him good nutrition early on could help him, maybe around 6-9. And you can have him join sports teams when he starts school. but for little kids, maybe combining exercising with playing to make it fun and enjoyable, rather than a pain. Like chores. (at least that's how I always looked at it) Hoped this helped.

[frednick]

The most important thing may be teaching him how to live an active lifestyle. Weight lifting at an early age is not a good idea for the simple reason that his body and bones are still growing. IF he has a real interest in weight lifting when he gets into his early teens then maybe then. If you're wanting to help him with his strength then try push ups, pull ups, and maybe sports like wrestling, martial arts, dance, or gymnastics. All of these sports develop overall body strength and control of the body

[bennyb84]

A mentor of mine started his son when he was 18 months old. Most really start in pre-teens (10 through 12) but when it comes to exercise I have felt Animal Exercise is a great start to give a child a program. Instead of just going through the motions, learn to be that animal and don't look it as a workout, look at it as play, this mindset teaches the body to help give it a boost in positive energy. This type of training helps children get that hyperness out of their system and helps build muscle and help generate natural growth hormone which can speed the process of how much the hormone levels go through at this age anyway. Disguise it as play like playing tag or racing.

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[Packard]

For youngsters I like the medicine ball. It is energetic and it is fun. I think you can start as soon as they have the motor skills.

Start by teaching them to "pass" a basket ball. After they are good at that (and can reliably catch the ball) move up to a light weight medicine ball. The kids like trying to knock each other over with the ball and it can be a very vigorous exercise. The risk is a ball hitting the face--so approach this slowly. It can work the shoulders, biceps, and triceps depending upon the nature of the toss (overhand, underhand, straight thrust).

Frisbee, and ball toss games are good exercise and can be done as soon as they are interested.

Until the joints are fully developed I think weight lifting should be to a minimum. This is repeating something I've heard over the years. I don't think there is any science to back this up. But in the absence of science to say it is safe, I repeat the caution.

I think running (in play situations, not road running) and sit ups are fine.

I think some lifting exercises do not stress the joints and I think they can be performed at a younger age (in moderation). Pull downs, rows, curls, upright rows all seem like exercises that would not stress the joints (specifically damage the cartilage). But again, no science on either side of the board.

But my favorite is any non-contact sports. (Basketball is my my categorization, a contact sport).

[fiona18]

My 3 yr old likes to join in with wii fit and also just dance!