He is old enough to lift. There is a discipline to working out. Make sure he understands its more important to get reps in than to lift excess weight.

He is old enough to lift. There is a discipline to working out. Make sure he understands its more important to get reps in than to lift excess weight.

 

That's where my coach always messed up with me. At one point I was bench repping 50 pounds over my weight and it literally was painful to both of my shoulders but he didn't understand. I still have should problems today in my left one and I couldn't pitch my senior year because I had problems in my right shoulder. I blame it 90% on benching too much and 10% on long tossing when it was too cold.

 

My point is, yes, weight lifting before you're done growing can be bad if you lift too much. Heck, lifting too much can be bad if you're a fully grown 30 year old. If he's lifting the right weight and doing the right stretches, etc, there's no problem in a 14 or 15 year old lifting.

Lifting in 7th, 8th grade is appropriate. Lifting as a 9th grader is a must; for an athlete.

 

As a middle schooler, emphasis should be placed on proper form and repititions of low weight.

 

That way as a high schooler, their form will be perfected and can lift moderate amounts of weights.

 

:thumb:

 

You have to watch them closely at the younger ages as the male ego often wants to lift more than they should just to show they can. If they can be monitored to do what you said with low weights and proper form, then it would be a good thing.

Right now! But, without weights.

 

Kids can start as young as you want them to but ONLY with body weight exercises. Squat jumps, push ups, crunches...etc.

That's where my coach always messed up with me. At one point I was bench repping 50 pounds over my weight and it literally was painful to both of my shoulders but he didn't understand. I still have should problems today in my left one and I couldn't pitch my senior year because I had problems in my right shoulder. I blame it 90% on benching too much and 10% on long tossing when it was too cold.

 

My point is, yes, weight lifting before you're done growing can be bad if you lift too much. Heck, lifting too much can be bad if you're a fully grown 30 year old. If he's lifting the right weight and doing the right stretches, etc, there's no problem in a 14 or 15 year old lifting.

 

Main problem with HS lifting now.

When the growth plates close which usually conincides with testosterone increase which cause the signs of body and facial hair growth. Some kids get this early some don't. Agree that prior to this should do body weight, core training and FLEXIBILITY. Flexibility is the bigger issue with fast growing kids IMO.