12yo at the gym?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a history of eating disorder and orthorexia so I would not encourage my daughter to work out for working out’s sake at that impressionable age. 12 year olds simply do not need to work out in a gym like that and should be exploring interests. My problems started with workout videos at home when I was in middle school. Instead I would encourage her to find another activity to participate in. My two cents; just be careful.

You’re projecting. There’s nothing in the OP about parents encouraging gym going. Most kids on modern club teams are already getting a lot more exercise than workout videos.

Exactly. She’s getting plenty of exercise. Why does she want to exercise more? It’s a good thing to understand the motivation.

DP. I don't know what kind of teams your kids are on but practices for my kids (basketball, baseball, softball) focus on skills and teamwork and not building strength/endurance. Since middle school, my kids have been working out in order to build strength/endurance. They do sport-specific strength exercises and cardio. It's all done in moderation and often with their friends.

[Anonymous]

I bring my DS12 with me on spring break, etc to my gym classes. During his sports seasons, he's too busy. It's good for him to get different types of exercise and he thinks it's hard but fun. I am constantly supervising, though.

I don't have any worries about him developing an eating disorder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bring my DS12 with me on spring break, etc to my gym classes. During his sports seasons, he's too busy. It's good for him to get different types of exercise and he thinks it's hard but fun. I am constantly supervising, though.

I don't have any worries about him developing an eating disorder.

For better or worse it is different for girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your gym says she must have parental supervision. Are you willing to go and supervise? That would be my only issue.

My son has wanted to join one particular gym for years but it’s not that convenient to where we live and I know I don’t have the time to drive there and stay so that’s why I won’t do it. If this is a gym you go to anyway then yes, I don’t see any harm.

+1. If you're going to the gym already and she would be going with you - great. If it would be an extra chore for you, or thing for you to take her to, that might not be so great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bring my DS12 with me on spring break, etc to my gym classes. During his sports seasons, he's too busy. It's good for him to get different types of exercise and he thinks it's hard but fun. I am constantly supervising, though.

I don't have any worries about him developing an eating disorder.

For better or worse it is different for girls.

There are girls who join the classes too. I don't know what packaging is required to head towards an eating disorder but these girls are athletes who are focused on strength and endurance. It's a different mindset. You can't perform well if your nutrition and calorie intake are crap. Perhaps OP's daughter falls into that athlete category.

[Anonymous]

One thing to watch out for - it's not good for kids to work out with weights, they really should be using body weight exercises only until they're done growing. If she's going to use cardio machines, that's fine, but I would keep her away from the weights for a few more years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing to watch out for - it's not good for kids to work out with weights, they really should be using body weight exercises only until they're done growing. If she's going to use cardio machines, that's fine, but I would keep her away from the weights for a few more years.

I don't think this is consider true anymore. As long as someone is watching her form and don't load her up with too much weight, strength training is fine.

[Anonymous]

I would be careful of using any weight training equipment. Tweens/Teens should limit this and only do it under advisement of a trainer who understands physiology of growing bodies. This would include any body pump type classes. Otherwise, I don't see issues. Many teen athletes go to conditioning classes/gyms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to watch out for - it's not good for kids to work out with weights, they really should be using body weight exercises only until they're done growing. If she's going to use cardio machines, that's fine, but I would keep her away from the weights for a few more years.

I don't think this is consider true anymore. As long as someone is watching her form and don't load her up with too much weight, strength training is fine.

Our child is on multiple travel sports teams and works with trainers. They do not allow lifting until certain ages and had discussions with us about how terrible weights can be for developing muscles if not done correctly and under supervision. I would never let a 12 year old just go at it alone.

[Anonymous]

It's very common in my close-in neighborhood.

My 16-year old will even take the 'crossfit' classes with my spouse and I. We also got him a small series of training sessions with the trainer on his own. He was in a small group with other high school kids getting ready for a spring sport.

We have weights in our basement and my husband was a former wrestler/body builder so helps our 14-year old with age appropriate workouts.

We both were athletes and often have 'family bootcamp' on summer vacations...lots of hiking, kayaking, active things. Our boys prefer these type of vacations and so do we.

We also do the holiday 5ks, etc.

I think it's really good for children to see exercise (it doesn't have to be formal'--can be biking/walking/tennis, etc.) as part of a regular day. Build those good habits young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's very common in my close-in neighborhood.

My 16-year old will even take the 'crossfit' classes with my spouse and I. We also got him a small series of training sessions with the trainer on his own. He was in a small group with other high school kids getting ready for a spring sport.

We have weights in our basement and my husband was a former wrestler/body builder so helps our 14-year old with age appropriate workouts.

We both were athletes and often have 'family bootcamp' on summer vacations...lots of hiking, kayaking, active things. Our boys prefer these type of vacations and so do we.

We also do the holiday 5ks, etc.

I think it's really good for children to see exercise (it doesn't have to be formal'--can be biking/walking/tennis, etc.) as part of a regular day. Build those good habits young.

* I want to add--I agree with others but 'age appropriate' when it comes to weights. At 12--most exercises were just 'body weight'--not using weights. Our newly turned 14-year old still hasn't hit a growth spurt/puberty so what weights he uses are very light--and does more 'body weight' things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to watch out for - it's not good for kids to work out with weights, they really should be using body weight exercises only until they're done growing. If she's going to use cardio machines, that's fine, but I would keep her away from the weights for a few more years.

I don't think this is consider true anymore. As long as someone is watching her form and don't load her up with too much weight, strength training is fine.

Our child is on multiple travel sports teams and works with trainers. They do not allow lifting until certain ages and had discussions with us about how terrible weights can be for developing muscles if not done correctly and under supervision. I would never let a 12 year old just go at it alone.

Of course supervision. I don't know if OP was planning to vaguely wave her hand at the weights and say good luck.

My DS is 12 and his team sports work out with weights. Not super heavy but some resistance is there. Even the AAP says after 7-8 years old, it's fine to use weights under supervision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could she not jog around the neighborhood on her own if mom and dad can't keep up?

No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could she not jog around the neighborhood on her own if mom and dad can't keep up?

No thanks.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to watch out for - it's not good for kids to work out with weights, they really should be using body weight exercises only until they're done growing. If she's going to use cardio machines, that's fine, but I would keep her away from the weights for a few more years.

I don't think this is consider true anymore. As long as someone is watching her form and don't load her up with too much weight, strength training is fine.

Our child is on multiple travel sports teams and works with trainers. They do not allow lifting until certain ages and had discussions with us about how terrible weights can be for developing muscles if not done correctly and under supervision. I would never let a 12 year old just go at it alone.

Of course supervision. I don't know if OP was planning to vaguely wave her hand at the weights and say good luck.

My DS is 12 and his team sports work out with weights. Not super heavy but some resistance is there. Even the AAP says after 7-8 years old, it's fine to use weights under supervision.

A trainer/coach is much different than a parent. A parent may not understand physiology and that just because a kid CAN lift a 20 lb weight, doesn't mean they should. I would suggest professional supervision, not just adult supervision.