Question of the Day

Weight lifting for teenagers used to be highly controversial. The common myth was that "training stunts bone growth." We know today that while teenagers can engage in resistance training and other exercise, there are certain types of exercises to avoid and the training regimen should be different than similar routines for adults.
As a teenager, having structured training isn't quite as important as simply engaging in physical activity on a regular basis. This can include sports, running, hiking, and other forms of active play. Vigorous aerobic exercise (sprinting, for example) is perfectly fine.

Strength training is also fine but power-lifting should be avoided (lifting near maximum weights). This doesn't mean you cannot lift heavy at all, but that the risk is greater for injury and other issues so it should only be done under strict supervision by an expert who understands fitness for adolescents.

A great reference for strength training is Strength Training for Young Athletes.

Another website that young adults can tap into for advice, training guides, nutrition programs, and more is TeenBodybuilding.com.

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