| Children from 6 years old and above can | | | | healthy. |
| benefit from doing light strength and weight | | | | |
| training. The majority of parents however are | | | | Here's What You Should Be Doing |
| cynical as to how healthy it is for children | | | | |
| to do strength training, the fact is though, | | | | Ideally you should consult a trainer to help |
| that children who start strength training | | | | you make proper training routine for your |
| early do not suffer from the common myth of | | | | child, but you should just aim to make sure |
| stunted growth. Children who take up strength | | | | that they work out their whole body at least |
| training have few if any disadvantages and it | | | | 3 times a week, remembering to include a |
| is a positive step for most children. As it | | | | proper warm up and cool down. For example you |
| will encourage your child to be active and | | | | could have them do 20 minutes of cardio, |
| learn the importance of exercise. You can | | | | broken into ten minutes of skipping, and ten |
| also use it for extra family time and it will | | | | minutes of running (or playing tag). Once |
| teach your child healthy habits for life. | | | | they've done that you could do some strength |
| | | | training exercises without weights, such as a |
| Don't Start Them Too Early | | | | circuit; including press ups, star jumps, sit |
| | | | ups, squats, squat thrusts, burpees and leg |
| Your children shouldn't start strength | | | | raises for example. Once they've built up a |
| training until they are both emotionally and | | | | basic level of strength and endurance you can |
| physically mature enough to deal with it. | | | | start to introduce some light weights |
| Generally this is at around age 6 for the | | | | exercises. |
| majority of children, if in doubt speak to a | | | | |
| doctor first. However as the child's parent | | | | Remember your child is a child and not an |
| you will no as well as anyone if your child | | | | adult, so don't push them too hard, you're |
| is ready. They must be able to listen | | | | not aiming for them to bulk up so you should |
| carefully and follow instructions to prevent | | | | keep the weights light and only slowly |
| injury or accidents, but the exercises you do | | | | increase them over a long period of time. |
| should be fun, easy to do and not to | | | | Don't forget to finish with a proper cool |
| technical or intense. | | | | down and stretching session. |
| | | | |
| Remember your child is not an adult and their | | | | Children are not perfect and they may not |
| strength training shouldn't be anywhere near | | | | always do what you ask, and you may have bad |
| as intense or demanding as you might do. It's | | | | days with them, but remember they are only |
| more important that you use the opportunity | | | | children; you can always bribe them with |
| to teach your child healthy lifestyle habits | | | | healthy treats or bonus pocket money for |
| than to try to get them to build up muscle. | | | | behaving well. If you decide to take you |
| Only once they have gone through puberty, | | | | child to a gym make sure you clear it with |
| should they think about trying to build up | | | | them first or find one that caters for |
| muscle mass. Instead you should aim to | | | | children, alternatively join a circuit |
| improve basic endurance and strength, so that | | | | training class which would be ideal. Strength |
| the child feels better and fitter. This is | | | | training can be fun and a great way to spend |
| especially important for overweight children | | | | more quality time with your child so give it |
| who want to participate in sports and get | | | | a try. |