How to encourage weight lifting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 15 year old boy who swims, but not intense team swim. He does summer swim team, high school swim in the winter, and 1-2 practices (not intense) much of the year as his only exercise. He’s not super fast but he enjoys it, which is great, we are glad he has this!

He has always had low muscle tone (which is likely why he hasn’t excelled in or enjoyed most other sports) and I am hoping he learns how to do some weight lifting to help him build muscle at a time where he can develop it easily.

He does not want to do weight lifting in school despite my suggestions for him to choose that one (and now he already completed his PE requirement).

Any suggestions as to how to encourage this and for him to learn it safely? We are in MoCo if anyone has suggestions of specific gyms or personal trainers who work with teens.

Thank you!

Pushing a kid to do something might backfire. He is probably shy and scared to start if he is scrawny in size. Try using an adult gym rather than pushing him to use a HS gym or class, because HS stuff will just be boys trying to outcompete each other and will cause bad habits or things to happen.

[Anonymous]

I would not push this. He really needs to lead in terms of what he wants to do with his sport/body. Once he expresses a need you can help him make a plan, support him etc.

[Anonymous]

Do you lift? That's how we started with DS. I took him to the gym with me and we started out slowly. I'm not a trainer but I know what I'm doing so I could show him.

He now plays football and they lift 3 days a week before school. He's never going to be the biggest kid (he's still pretty scrawny) but he likes it.

[Anonymous]

The risk of gym culture is it’s toxically masculine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The risk of gym culture is it’s toxically masculine.

+1.

OP: could you maybe encourage him to do Yoga instead? It’s is amazing for fitness!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be careful with encouraging too much time in the weight room. It can be a slippery slope leading to the whole “gym bro” mentality/ lifestyle, which is often toxic.

Yeah, stock to wholesome Call of Duty online lobby chat instead of exercising

[Anonymous]

I have two swimmers in MoCo. The following two trainers work with lots of swimmers. The first runs group lifting opportunities in the early mornings and the second does more personal sessions. Both are highly regarded. I’d try both and see which environment your kid prefers.

Trainers — Total Technique Training

https://www.instagram.com/ironstrengthathletic?igsh=ZHZ3aTdua3pmZWZo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The risk of gym culture is it’s toxically masculine.

+1.

OP: could you maybe encourage him to do Yoga instead? It’s is amazing for fitness!

- plus it really builds and maintains muscle too.

[Anonymous]

I’d suggest asking him if he’d like a gym membership for the summer, and go from there. My kids started out at a place that fixes group personal training to young athletes, look for one in your area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d suggest asking him if he’d like a gym membership for the summer, and go from there. My kids started out at a place that fixes group personal training to young athletes, look for one in your area.

This is a terrible idea!

It’s in these gyms where the whole toxically-masculine culture starts.

You need to watch the show Adolescents on Netflix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d suggest asking him if he’d like a gym membership for the summer, and go from there. My kids started out at a place that fixes group personal training to young athletes, look for one in your area.

This is a terrible idea!

It’s in these gyms where the whole toxically-masculine culture starts.

You need to watch the show Adolescents on Netflix.

You clearly haven’t been in a gym. Stay on the couch fatty.

[Anonymous]

Any reason you haven't simply gone to planet fitness and started on the full body circuit?

[Anonymous]

My neighbor bought a bench press and converted a room in her house. Her and her son work out together as an activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be careful with encouraging too much time in the weight room. It can be a slippery slope leading to the whole “gym bro” mentality/ lifestyle, which is often toxic.

^ This is disgusting that in this day and age, people still think gym guys are all gay-bros and stuff.

I didn’t interpret PP as saying gay. I interpreted this a jerky AH type. But I am a 50 year old mom who lifts in the weight room 4 days a week. I think worries about this are greatly exaggerated. If your kid falls into toxic friends, internet content, ok, maybe. But if he just goes to the weight room, it will be fine.

[Anonymous]

People have different muscle mass or tone. He knows about weights. He can make his own decision.