Does Lifting Weights Stunt Development in Children? What Mother and father Must Know

Just a few weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my residence 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 really secure? I’ve at all times heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s development.”

And you already know what? It’s a sound concern.

As a result of as mother and father, we would like our children to be energetic and wholesome—however we additionally need them to be secure.

So let’s speak about that concern. The place it comes from, what the science truly says, and what to look out for in relation to resistance coaching for youngsters.

The place Did the “Lifting Stunts Development” Delusion Come From?

When you grew up listening to that lifting weights too early might “harm your bones” or “make you shorter,” you’re not alone. That perception has been round for some time.

However the place did it truly come from?

A part of it’s linked to the concern of injuring one thing referred to 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: quick, highly effective athletes who raise huge hundreds. It’s simple to imagine the game made them that approach—however that’s not what occurred.

They’re quick as a result of that physique kind provides them a mechanical benefit within the sport. Not as a result of lifting stunted their development.

Enjoyable reality: The all-time world report holder in snatch and clear and jerk, Lasha Talakhadze, is a towering 6 ft 6 inches tall (197 cm).

The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what truly causes development points.

What the Science Really Says About Energy Coaching and Development

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

Actually, when completed correctly, resistance coaching has no damaging impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it could actually truly improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop damage.

Particularly as your baby will get older, combining resistance coaching with different sports activities can cut back their threat of damage.

Right here’s what the analysis exhibits:

• A assessment printed in Pediatrics concluded there’s no proof that youth resistance coaching negatively impacts development plates or linear development.

• The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) states that youth power coaching applications, when correctly supervised, are secure and helpful.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics helps power coaching for youngsters, so long as the main focus is on approach 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 Protected 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 baby can do—when completed proper.

When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Children

So now that we’ve busted the parable, let’s speak about when weight coaching truly can be dangerous for youths.

Like something, it relies on the way it’s completed.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Children raise weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their kind or approach

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

• Gear isn’t suited to their measurement

• There’s no development or ample restoration

However let’s be sincere—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 practice.

How one can Make Energy Coaching Protected for Children

Right here’s the way to preserve it secure, sensible, and helpful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in power coaching methods and progressions
✅ Concentrate on approach—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Gear that matches their physique
✅ Maintain it enjoyable, skill-based, and interesting—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 children to be robust, energetic, and assured. However we additionally wish to defend them.

As an alternative of avoiding power coaching or creating concern round it, let’s educate them to do it proper.

As a result of when it’s completed proper, power 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