Kids and Weightlifting: Let’s dispel all the Myths!

The rumors that have been around for over 40 years have stated that weightlifting will stunt children’s growth. In an article published by Lon Kilgore Ph.d “Misconceptions about Training Youth,” as it deals with epiphyseal plate fracture (growth plate fracture) in children. He found only one instance where this very rare condition occurred because a child was not shown proper technique in a weightlifting movement. The fact is that sports such as soccer have the highest injury rates, and weightlifting movements sit at the bottom for overall injury rates among youth athletes (1994 Hamill).

This myth was started with each Olympic Games that were televised. When you see the weightlifters from around the world the first thing you notice is the height of each lifter. Legenday Weightlifting Coach Gayle Hatch used to tell me,”Shaq was not tall because he played Basketball!" These incredible athletes chose weightlifting because it suited there body types.

Liam Bujanda pulling strong during a Snatch Movement

What benefits do kids get from Weightlifting?

Over the last 20 years I have been coaching kids and adults in weightlifting. The major benefit is the gain of confidence that a person achieves from approaching the barbell and moving weight. There is no in between when it comes to weightlifting. You either make the lift or you miss. Young athletes learn how to persevere even when they fail and how to overcome adversity. This is a tremendous life lesson for children to learn, which will serve them well throughout life whether in school, sport, or work.

The second greatest benefit is strength which gives dividends in all aspects of athletic endeavours. Stronger legs are going to produce more power when running. A proper tackle can be reinforced with squats by increasing the strength of the torso.

An article from the New York Times “Phys Ed: The benefits of weight training for children,’ research over 60 years conducted on 6-18 year olds found that,”Youths do not add as much or sometimes any obvious muscle mass as a result of strength training.” They did find in their studies that,“Their strength gains seem generally to involve ‘neuromuscular’ changes” and the benefits come when the nervous system and the muscles start firing correctly and efficiently.” Which is a great benefit when coordinating activities such hitting a baseball or kicking a ball efficiently.

Gayle Hatch Youth Weightlifting team who won Louisiana State Championships

Proper Coaching is the key to Youth Weightlifting

Technique is the key to coaching youth athletes. I start kids off with a 2.5kg bar 5.5 pounds and load in very small increments. As soon as the form breaks down the athlete is told to move onto another movement. As I stated earlier that sports like soccer and football have higher injury rates in youth athletes. When a youth football player uses improper tackling form during a game. Most coaches will not take the kid out of the game to correct form. As a coach to youth weightlifters we have zero tolerance for improper technique and the leads to less injuries in the gym.