| Many people are skeptical about just how healthy | | | | low. Instead, your child will generally feel better |
| childhood weight training can be, but parents | | | | and notice an increase in strength and endurance. |
| should put their fears to rest-Children as young as | | | | This is important for children who participate in |
| six years old can benefit from participating in | | | | sports and for children who are overweight. |
| weight training. Contrary to the popular myth, | | | | A trainer or coach can help you determine the |
| children who hit the gym with their parents do not | | | | correct routine for you child, but generally, you |
| have stunted growth. In fact, weight training has | | | | just want to make sure that your son or |
| few disadvantages for children. If your child want | | | | daughter works out the entire body and has |
| to be active and you want some extra family | | | | adequate warm up and cool down time. Start |
| time, try using the weight room together for a | | | | with about 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercises. |
| fun experience that instills healthy habits into your | | | | One activity that children like is jump roping, but if |
| child's mindset at a young age. | | | | you have a group of children, you can also play an |
| Children should not begin weight training or other | | | | outdoor game to get the heart pumping as well, |
| workouts until they are physically and emotionally | | | | such as tag. Once your child has warmed up, do |
| mature enough to handle it. This falls around age | | | | one weighted exercise for each group of muscles. |
| 6 for most children. If you are still unsure, you | | | | Unlike you, your child should not push his or her |
| doctor can help you determine if your child's body | | | | limits to the edge, but instead focus on gradually |
| is ready for the gym. As a parent, you will know | | | | increasing weight over a longer period of time. End |
| if your child is mentally ready-injuries can happen | | | | the workout with 10-20 minutes of stretching to |
| if not careful, so your child should be able to listen | | | | help you and your child cool down. |
| and follow directions to prevent this from | | | | Realize that not every day at the gym is a good |
| happening. | | | | day, so excuse your child's misbehavior |
| Of course, your child's routine should not be nearly | | | | occasionally. You might want to consider working |
| as intense as an adult routine. At this point in their | | | | out at a gym specifically for children or families to |
| lives, it is more important for children to learn | | | | avoid getting in the way of serious bodybuilders. |
| healthy habits at the gym instead of trying to | | | | Weight training together can be a fun activity and |
| build muscle mass. Until your child goes through | | | | may motivate you to stick to your healthy |
| puberty, they are unlikely to build muscles | | | | schedule. |
| because the level of testosterone will be very | | | | |