Children Training - NPR

This morning there were two fitness reports on NPR - the second on children weightifting - wanted to share this one too.
 
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112028857

Awesome. I am for sure going to have my kids try to imitate me by lifting weights and running. I think my kids are gonna have some genetics, boy. Mommy is a gymnast and daddy is a power builder.

And I'm not going to start soda and fast food on them like my parents did me. It has taken years to break those unhealthy habits.

I agree. I won't start mine on soda and fast food like I was started on.

It'll be water, veggies and the traditional "eat your spinach so you can look like Popeye (WOW you're getting bigger!" philosophy.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

If I have kids, there asses are gonna be in the weight room when there 10 at the latest. Unless of course they aren't into that. But if my kids aren't into sports and keeping inshape, then they may be put up for adoption..maybe.

Goals by end of 2009:
Bench 205
Squat 255 ATG
Squat Clean 185

"There is no elevator to success, you must take the stairs."

LOL I'll probably wait until mine is 16 or so to be strict weightlifters. Perhaps push ups, running, sit ups, healthy eating habits in the early ages but probably not strict compound resistance training until their testosterone speeds up.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

I mean, maybe not 10, it all depends, I mean it would be more on an individual basis, some people are ready to be dedicated to getting bigger and stronger at totally different ages.

Goals by end of 2009:
Bench 205
Squat 255 ATG
Squat Clean 185

"There is no elevator to success, you must take the stairs."

Even my 4 yr old loves doing curls with one of my dumbbells.  All three of them see I'm crazy into weight lifting, and of course they want to be like Dad.  They're already very active and strong just by spending tons of time wrestling each other and playing outside.  But a little organized weight training as a family sounds like a ton of fun!  Thanks dr j!  :)

MVP,
   My eldest son will be 9 soon.  There's a room at the Y called the Be Fit room that has equipment for 8 to 12 year olds.  They've got a Wii in there too.  What would your recommendation be for a 9 yr old to work on.  He's not really into any sport.  He likes swimming though.  Other two boys are 6 and 4.  What are your recommendations for them?  Thx!

SMITH MACHINE!

Just kidding

My home away from DBB

veggeep


SMITH MACHINE!

Just kidding

God, does NOBODY want to take that thing off your hands?!

DUDE J, get him to start perfecting his power clean form. He will thank you by the time he is in high school.

MVP,
   My eldest son will be 9 soon.  There's a room at the Y called the Be Fit room that has equipment for 8 to 12 year olds.  They've got a Wii in there too.  What would your recommendation be for a 9 yr old to work on.  He's not really into any sport.  He likes swimming though.  Other two boys are 6 and 4.  What are your recommendations for them?  Thx!

I would definitely recommend that. I think the Wii is a great idea for young kids that enjoy playing video games to help keep them active. I played one the other day and the boxing wore me out! It was almost like a fun version of HIIT.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

Maybe if I attach a swing set to it, my neighbor's kids will take it.

My home away from DBB

If hypertrophy is the goal, I see absolutely nothing wrong with smith machine use. I mean squats they can. The complete vertical plane can push the knee cap forward putting unnecessary stress on the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee joint through lack of hamstring and hip flexor involvement. 

Overall I think if someone is just focusing on improving their physique the smith machine can serve as a good piece of equipment and could arguably even be preferable. Just my opinion though.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

veggeep


Maybe if I attach a swing set to it, my neighbor's kids will take it.

Bench Press Babe told me she lives next to you.  She'll have Yet wrap it around your neck.
 
[Crap:  I'm jacking again!  Sorry dr j]

I'ma get my kid into gymnastics, I often wish I had started it myself as a kid. You can't really get a better form of functional strength than a gymnasts body, and it looks great too.

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

_Virtuoso_


I'ma get my kid into gymnastics, I often wish I had started it myself as a kid. You can't really get a better form of functional strength than a gymnasts body, and it looks great too.

gymnasts look that way because they train for hours upon hours every day. and most gymnasts have very underdeveloped lower bodies. they don't look that way because their methods of training are amazing. its just that with the amount of time they spend on rings and what not they eventually get very well developed upper bodies

Current: 19, 5'11", 190@7%

bench:305 squat:370(atg) deadlift:475
Goals: 4plate squat, 5plate dead

"obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated"

They look that way because their muscles need to develop to cope with the strain they put them under whilst doing their gymnastics, and that coupled with the amount of cardio training they get from the sport leaves them with a great physique.

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

Well, this is where two worlds collide!  On the one hand we think your run-of-the-mill gym lifter who has that potato on pencils look because he neglects legs looks ridiculous.  On the other hand we think a (male) gymnast has a great physique when he is more upper body than lower.  Functional strength, I know.  And they have strong legs, it's just that their upper bodies look like Michelin men.  All in what you like, I suppose.

There's also a good reason why you don't see a lot of gymnasts older than their early teens.  You want kids who are short, with ridiculous upper body strength.  Once puberty gets a hold of those legs and the height takes off, it's game over.

Those twenty-something guys you see at the Olympics all look like brick sh1thouses until you see them standing next to their 6'2" tall coach.  Still, it would be seriously kickass to have that kind of chest/shoulder to waist ratio at 6'2".

My home away from DBB

Veg,  I guess I never really thought about it, but heavy legs wouldn't be doing them any favors, right?  They need monster upper bod strength to do their thang, but having to move heavy legs around ain't helpin' nothin'.  It is an attractive look, tbh.  Actually I'm beginning to take a liking to bigger legs, but it sure is hard to find pants for them.