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Kids and Strength Training: 5 Myths Parents Should Stop Believing

Alex Kerslake

Alex Kerslake


Strength training for children has traditionally been surrounded by concerns about growth, injuries and 'lifting too young'. But how much of what we've been told is actually true?

1

Strength training will stunt a child’s growth

MYTH – One of the most common myths surrounding kids and any type of weight training. Appropriately designed and supervised resistance training has been to show no negative effects regarding growth in kids. Or even growth health within adolescents.

2

Strength training will make kids bulky

MYTH – Children as they age naturally become significantly stronger without substantial increase in muscle size. With changes in strength often being neurological. Training causes better nervous system coordination resulting in greater force production.

3

Kids need to be already before strength training

MYTH – Developing foundational strength is one of the main reasons that kids may participate in resistance training. Many youth development programmes emphasise fundamental movement skills and work on building strength progressively.

4

Kids should only use bodyweight exercises

MYTH – At the very beginning, bodyweight exercises are great. They allow kids to get used to the lifts and understand how the body works. This then sets the foundation to introduce the weights and progress accordingly from there.

5

Strength training is just about building muscle

MYTH – Strength training can be, and is, so much more than building muscle. Some of the benefits it can have for kids are.

  • Strength
  • Power
  • Movement Skill
  • Bone Health
  • Physical Function
  • Injury Resilience
  • Sporting Development
  • Confidence and Enjoyment

If you or your child would benefit from strength training, click the link below to book in for a free 30-minute consultation and get started on your strength training journey.


Alex Kerslake

Post By

Alex Kerslake

I’ve spent the past decade in a gym environment, learning a variety of training approaches and methods. From beginners in their first lifting session, getting to grips with the fundamentals – through to professional athletes, such as England Rugby players, training at a very high level.
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