Patch Blog: Should Teens Be Lifting?

Without the pressures of the school year, summer is a great time to help teens establish good exercise habits.

It’s important to hook kids on exercise at a young age especially with the skyrocketing childhood obesity epidemic. Regular exercise should become a good habit - like brushing teeth.  If they start with the good habits young, they won’t develop a weight problem in the future.

It’s especially important for the teens who are glued to the computer to get into a gym routine. They will realize their mind and body is  rejuvenated by regular exercise.

Both weight training and cardio are important components of a fitness plan for youngsters. With teens who are new to exercise, it is important to start with baby steps. The most important thing for beginners is learning coordination and balance. They must first understand how their bodies are supposed to move.

A longstanding myth that weight lifting might stunt a youngster’s growth has been busted by recent  scientific studies. They show that weight training for children is safe and beneficial. It helps develop the nervous systems, and allows muscles to interact more efficiently.  A sixty year study actually proved that children as young as seven years old can start lifting as long as it is supervised and performed with good technique.

School athletes benefit enormously from gym training. Weight training will
help reduce risk of injury during sports. Kids who play sports need to develop
strength and coordination in order to reach their highest potential. Specific
exercises will increase strength and endurance in their particular sport.

For more information, go to missionfitnesscenter.com, call 626-799-0977, or email info@missionfitnesscenter.com.