Teenage strength training – does gym exercise stunt growth?

At what age is it better to start strength training? Does strength training stunt growth? With what loads can a teenager train? Are young people more prone to injury? In this article, you will find the answers to each of these questions and a lot of valuable information about training a young person – read on!

At what age is it better to start training at the gym?

Can a teenager train at the gym? They can. However, the difficulty of the workout must always be adapted to their physical abilities. Young people should train under the guidance of an experienced trainer who will set up a training plan, adjust the appropriate loads and, of course, check the technique of the exercises. Poor posture, excessive loads and poorly adapted training plans are the most common causes of injury.

Are young people more prone to injury?

Our bones reach their highest density between the ages of 20 and 25 so those in adolescence are slightly more prone to injury. However, this does not mean that a teenager cannot participate in strength sports. The risk of getting injured while training at a gym is lower than that faced when playing sports such as football, basketball or cycling, for example. So why are parents far more likely to be concerned about sending their child to the gym than, say, to a class run by their local football club?

Unfortunately, the source of the misconception that strength training is injury-prone lies in incorrect exercise technique. That is why, as mentioned, it is advisable to do the first training sessions under the supervision of an experienced person, who will catch and correct mistakes made during the exercises on an ongoing basis.

Does strength training at a young age stunt growth?

Let’s dispel this myth – there is no proven evidence to suggest that properly adapted strength training stunts a teenager’s growth. So there is nothing stopping a young person from strength training. Everyone develops at their own pace, so exercises and loads need to be tailored individually to the physical capabilities of the person training. It is said that the gym is the sport of patient people – it is worth reminding this to young people, who often expect express results. This approach results in teenagers selecting too high loads or becoming discouraged after a few weeks of training.

Technique first, exercise second

Three series of a correctly performed exercise will produce better results than five series of an incorrectly performed exercise. Technique first and weights second – this is a principle you should follow from day one of training.

Strength training is not just about weights

Strength training doesn’t have to be all about lifting weights. You should also incorporate exercises that use elastic bands and elements of calisthenics. Calisthenics is training with your own body weight. It includes exercises such as:

dips,
pull-ups on a bar,
push-ups on a ladder,
push-ups on a ladder.
And many more – on our blog you will find articles describing the correct technique for performing calisthenic exercises.

Can a teenager train at home?

We have already mentioned that adolescents are more prone to injury from improper exercise. Should such a person then train at home? If we are talking about weight training, it is a good idea to consult a trainer in the initial phase about the exercise technique. In the later stages, training can be broken down into that done in a fitness club or school gym and that done at home, in accordance with guidelines. In our offer you will find home gym sets enabling you to perform a complete body workout. A set such as the Kraft System 3-in-1 will be perfect for strength training. The Gamma Workout Grand gym ladder, on the other hand, is equipped with everything you need to perform a complete calisthenics workout.

Sedentary lifestyle – a danger for teenagers

A few hours in a school desk and a few more in a computer chair – this is the everyday life of many Polish teenagers. Such a lifestyle has an extremely negative impact on our health. According to the WHO, overweight and obesity already affects 15% of girls and 20% of boys aged 11. Let’s promote an interest in sport and an active lifestyle in our little Monkeys. The festive period is fast approaching, so why not put dumbbells or exercise bands under the Christmas tree instead of another console game? If you like this idea, we would be happy to advise you on the selection of products from our shop. So feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or doubts about whether a piece of equipment is suitable for your teenager.