Many times I receive questions from parents with concern on when their son or daughter should start lifting weights. Now, be mindful that many people have different opinions on this particular subject. I however think that a child can start lifting weights, pretty much when they start to stink. Yeah, I said stink. Here is the rationale behind the statement: It is obvious that when children mature and get to the point where cologne and deodorant are no longer ways to pretend they are adults but are necessary, that is when their body is beginning to mature to the point where it will respond to strength training the proper way. So now that you know where I stand it is obvious to see that I don't believe there is a "golden" age where it is best because many young men and women hit this point at different periods of their lives.
So remember the kid on your son's football team that ran for 300 yards when they were in 7th grade pretty much every game because he was not only bigger(5'10 195lb.) but also faster and stronger than all the other kids? Well don't worry, as athlete's mature they will close the gap on what seems to be that young freak of nature (and he will probably be devastated from not being able to naturally walk all over his competition anymore). But that kid, he just matured a bit quicker, he was an early bloomer. With that being said he could respond to strength training a bit earlier than his peers. Now, does that give the athlete that matures sooner a better advantage? Absolutely not. If you ask me, he will just hit his athletic ceiling sooner, more often than not getting left behind somewhere by one of the late bloomers who had to outwork the early bloomer while they were younger.
At Apex we have a firm approach and belief in that no matter how young or physically immature an athlete is, they can always be taught proper movement. So even for the athlete that may not be ready to handle a progressive strength training stimulus, we can teach how to squat, press, pull, jump/land, lunge all is ways that will at least advance their neuromuscular system so they become more effecient athletes. Learning these skills will allow to develop more rapidly when they are prepared to strength train in a more formal setting.
At Apex we offer our strength classes to male and female athletes! Many young female athletes would benefit from a greater baseline of overall strength not only to help with their vertical jump and overall speed but to also help protect their bodies from serious injury. Female athletes who play a sport that involves explosive movement, cutting or pivoting are up to 10x more likely to sustain ACL injuries than their male peers. Female athletes are predisposed to these injuries due to hip and knee alignment, but can be better protected from such an injury through learning proper movement and developing a stronger lower body!!!
Get signed up for our strength training classes!!! 99$/month
Monday: 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 4:30 PM
Friday:4:30 PM
Get strong.....it makes you better.....at EVERYTHING.
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