14yo lad lifting weights
Discussion
My lad has decided to start lifting weights, I am all up for this and encourage him.
We have Squat stands, bench, dumbells and a couple of bars, along with a bike and treadmill.
He is currently following the 5x5 stronglifts app as it gives him something to follow and does not use much kit, although he started at a 10kg empty bar instead of a 20kg olimpic bar.
He has been following it for a few weeks now and is up to 40kg on the squats.
My wife is now saying he should not be lifting heavy as he could stunt his growth. Got to love the Internet.
He is 5ft9 and lanky like me I'm 6ft so he probably has some more growing to do but I don't think he is lifting heavy yet.
Perhaps at 50 or 60kg he should stop the increase in weight and go for higher reps and also add in more movements, bicep and triceps work and shoulders.
The one thing we lack is a pull up bar or any cable equipment for back work. So I will sort this out for him.
The main thing is should I limit the amount of weight he moves until he is say 16 I don't want him having any problems later in life just because he lifted weights too young.
What do you guys think is too much for a 14 year old?
We have Squat stands, bench, dumbells and a couple of bars, along with a bike and treadmill.
He is currently following the 5x5 stronglifts app as it gives him something to follow and does not use much kit, although he started at a 10kg empty bar instead of a 20kg olimpic bar.
He has been following it for a few weeks now and is up to 40kg on the squats.
My wife is now saying he should not be lifting heavy as he could stunt his growth. Got to love the Internet.
He is 5ft9 and lanky like me I'm 6ft so he probably has some more growing to do but I don't think he is lifting heavy yet.
Perhaps at 50 or 60kg he should stop the increase in weight and go for higher reps and also add in more movements, bicep and triceps work and shoulders.
The one thing we lack is a pull up bar or any cable equipment for back work. So I will sort this out for him.
The main thing is should I limit the amount of weight he moves until he is say 16 I don't want him having any problems later in life just because he lifted weights too young.
What do you guys think is too much for a 14 year old?
Heavy isn’t best and IMO he’s too young. My lad is a professional sportsman and didn’t start lifting weights until 16 and that is under the guidance of some of the best physios, trainers in the country.
Whilst it probably won’t stunt his growth he is still developing physical and too much stress/strain isn’t a good thing. There is a distinction between weightlifting and strength training (which done properly is a good thing)
Whilst it probably won’t stunt his growth he is still developing physical and too much stress/strain isn’t a good thing. There is a distinction between weightlifting and strength training (which done properly is a good thing)
Edited by craig1912 on Tuesday 24th December 10:45
ambuletz said:
i know its a silly thing to say in lifting circles....but 60kg isn't alot of weight. i'm 5'7 and can do 110kg, i'm still very much a beginner. and i'm 32. although i am overweight, not skinny.
Perhaps you need to need the thread- he’s 14 not 32, he’s still a developing teenager not a mature man 
My 3rd kid started lifting at 13 - now just 16 and 6ft7 and jacked. Just about to get into rowing.
Oh, and his mother smoked while pregnant which was probably handy.....otherwise he'd be 7ft2 and not fit into normal clothes !!!
A few thousand years ago teenagers would be out hunting for dinner and fighting other tribes - probably best to avoid going mad but some 40kg squats are not going to have his legs crumble.
Oh, and his mother smoked while pregnant which was probably handy.....otherwise he'd be 7ft2 and not fit into normal clothes !!!
A few thousand years ago teenagers would be out hunting for dinner and fighting other tribes - probably best to avoid going mad but some 40kg squats are not going to have his legs crumble.
Cpl nobby nobbs said:
Perhaps at 50 or 60kg he should stop the increase in weight and go for higher reps and also add in more movements, bicep and triceps work and shoulders.
Should add - my kid did almsot ZERO isolation stuff.....compound functional stuff only. If I saw him do curls he'd get banned from my gym.
Cpl nobby nobbs said:
So would capping the weight at 40kg on the squats or even lowering it to 30kg and just increasing the reps to say 3 sets of 10 be better for him, then bring in more exercises but keep the weights at a lower level with higher reps?
I would say no need to cap, but probably to supervise, or find a local weightlifting gym, to show technique. Look at China and why they are smashing it in weightlifting, they get 'em good and young!I used to believe the 'stunt the growth' thing, that was around before the web. But from stuff I've read/watched, it doesn't appear to be the case.
I'll see if I can find some links
Cpl nobby nobbs said:
My lad has decided to start lifting weights, I am all up for this and encourage him.
We have Squat stands, bench, dumbells and a couple of bars, along with a bike and treadmill.
He is currently following the 5x5 stronglifts app as it gives him something to follow and does not use much kit, although he started at a 10kg empty bar instead of a 20kg olimpic bar.
He has been following it for a few weeks now and is up to 40kg on the squats.
My wife is now saying he should not be lifting heavy as he could stunt his growth. Got to love the Internet.
He is 5ft9 and lanky like me I'm 6ft so he probably has some more growing to do but I don't think he is lifting heavy yet.
Perhaps at 50 or 60kg he should stop the increase in weight and go for higher reps and also add in more movements, bicep and triceps work and shoulders.
The one thing we lack is a pull up bar or any cable equipment for back work. So I will sort this out for him.
The main thing is should I limit the amount of weight he moves until he is say 16 I don't want him having any problems later in life just because he lifted weights too young.
What do you guys think is too much for a 14 year old?
Why does he want to become bigger / more muscular?We have Squat stands, bench, dumbells and a couple of bars, along with a bike and treadmill.
He is currently following the 5x5 stronglifts app as it gives him something to follow and does not use much kit, although he started at a 10kg empty bar instead of a 20kg olimpic bar.
He has been following it for a few weeks now and is up to 40kg on the squats.
My wife is now saying he should not be lifting heavy as he could stunt his growth. Got to love the Internet.
He is 5ft9 and lanky like me I'm 6ft so he probably has some more growing to do but I don't think he is lifting heavy yet.
Perhaps at 50 or 60kg he should stop the increase in weight and go for higher reps and also add in more movements, bicep and triceps work and shoulders.
The one thing we lack is a pull up bar or any cable equipment for back work. So I will sort this out for him.
The main thing is should I limit the amount of weight he moves until he is say 16 I don't want him having any problems later in life just because he lifted weights too young.
What do you guys think is too much for a 14 year old?
I played full contact rugby from 12 and throguht my teens. We pushed, pulled, twisted, tackled (and occasionally threw the odd punch.... 
) as hard as we could. There's not thst much difference. Just don't go at it too hard and try avoid injury through poor technique or dangerous lifts.
) as hard as we could. There's not thst much difference. Just don't go at it too hard and try avoid injury through poor technique or dangerous lifts. It doesn't stunt your growth but there is the potential to damage the epiphyseal plates as they're softer in kids. This *may* cause issues I later life. The science is unclear.
It is advisable to avoid maximal lifts, and the big issue with kids weight lifting is their technique is often appalling - not helped by the majority of adults, who kids copy, also having terrible technique - and this is where injuries occur.
If you want him to lift weights, I would strongly suggest avoiding maximal lifts and get him some proper instruction - don't assume it's common sense. It's not.
It is advisable to avoid maximal lifts, and the big issue with kids weight lifting is their technique is often appalling - not helped by the majority of adults, who kids copy, also having terrible technique - and this is where injuries occur.
If you want him to lift weights, I would strongly suggest avoiding maximal lifts and get him some proper instruction - don't assume it's common sense. It's not.
So said:
Why does he want to become bigger / more muscular?
Because he likes the look of being more muscular and athletic. Why not?
Why do most men that lift weights do it?
I presume to get stronger, fitter, change the way they look.
That's why I did it when I was in my 20's.
I certainly don't regret having defined physique although I had a habit of skipping leg day.
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