12yo at the gym?

[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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It depends on the parent. I feel comfortable supervising my tween in chest press using 10/15 lb free weights, for example. You could hurt yourself doing push-ups or squats improperly. It all needs some supervision and it doesn't always have to be a "trainer."

[Anonymous]

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.

I don’t think she’s projecting, I think she’s pointing out the reality that for some girls, eating disorders and unhealthy body image begin with the culture of working out. It’s like access to alcohol, some people will become addicted, some won’t. I understand this PP because I’ve Seen this happen as well within my own family. She is just trying to educate people on the fact that eating disorders are terrible, and you need to watch out for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

My daughter isn’t going out running by herself, at least not while she’s living under my roof. Way too many creeps out there.

[Anonymous]

Yes of course, and I would take advantage of any new member sessions with a trainer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

My daughter isn’t going out running by herself, at least not while she’s living under my roof. Way too many creeps out there.

You are not doing her any favors by not letting her run around her neighborhood on her own. This is an extreme mindset that is more likely to make her incapable of being an independent person. That’s a pretty unhealthy way of thinking. Let your daughter learn some real life skills, like being out alone in her neighborhood, rather than working out in the gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

My daughter isn’t going out running by herself, at least not while she’s living under my roof. Way too many creeps out there.

Is your neighborhood dangerous? My daughter went for a jog tonight when it stoped raining for a little while. She’s 11. What’s the difference between that and her walking to the bus stop or school?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the poster who has orthorexia. She has all of her life to workout at a gym. At this age, I'd hope my kid could be enjoying an activity or exercising in a leisurely way. It seems too young to me. A sport or dance class sure but cardio machines at the gym?

I say this as an adult who exercises daily and always has. As much as I appreciate being fit and in shape, I often think it would serve me to be a little less committed to my fitness. Everything in moderation. Life has so much to offer. If she has energy to burn, how about something more fun and stimulating than a treadmill?

[Anonymous]

I think 7th grade is the normal age to start at the gym.

I agree running alone is dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think 7th grade is the normal age to start at the gym.

I agree running alone is dangerous.

What age would you say running alone in a 'safe' neighborhood would be acceptable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I agree with the poster who has orthorexia. She has all of her life to workout at a gym. At this age, I'd hope my kid could be enjoying an activity or exercising in a leisurely way. It seems too young to me. A sport or dance class sure but cardio machines at the gym?

I say this as an adult who exercises daily and always has. As much as I appreciate being fit and in shape, I often think it would serve me to be a little less committed to my fitness. Everything in moderation. Life has so much to offer. If she has energy to burn, how about something more fun and stimulating than a treadmill?

Dont most gyms have yoga, spinning, Pilates, Zumba, etc?

Also weight training at a young age<18 creates a life long habit.

You need to teach kids a way to stay healthy they can take into adulthood and most sports are not realistic.