Teenagers and Bodybuilding (part 1)

The youth of today find themselves attracted to image building as a result of an extremely dedicated media society. But image is an important issue as it provides security and self esteem. The promise of a great physique in a short time space is what entices Teenagers into the world of Bodybuilding. But despair is just around the corner as there is no quick route to Rapid result and an average of seven out of ten quit within the first three months just as adults do with dieting.

This is truly a great pity, because the main reason for failure is incorrect training. In most if not all, cases that means OVERTRAINING. Bodybuilding for young people should follow a specific and gradual pattern, and I now hope to set out some of the rights and wrongs, in an attempt to bring success to a far greater percentage of young trainees. It is difficult to define the right or wrong age at which to start training with weights, although movement and exercise should naturally be encouraged at any age.

Children from the word go should be encouraged to take up Sporting activities such as running, jumping and swimming, which all help to produce fitness and help muscle development. With the correct training these skills can be learnt within one week. As well as toning their muscles, training ensures healthy lungs and cardiovascular systems. Only under these conditions can Teenagers even begin to think about taking on training with weights.

It is imperative that encouragement be given to keen youngsters who desire to train, and that coaching begins on a one on one basis. Youngsters between the ages of ten and fourteen must train with the lightest of weights and at a low resistance, and always under supervision of a professional.

Repetitions on average about a dozen or so, concentrating on doing full range basic exercises with the weights fully under control at all times. Training schedules should be of short duration, e.g. half an hour is plenty. And not more than three times a week. Correct safety measures should always be followed. Warm up and taper off. Always use collars on the barbell and dumbbells and the adult coach or spotter should always be within reach, to take control of the weights at all times.

Dead lifts, good morning exercises, heavy squats and bouncing squats should be avoided at all times by young trainees, as well as any form of weight exercise that could lead to compressing the spine. Having reached a stage whereby his or her natural growth potential and bones, joints and tendons have stabilized, heavier weights can be introduced into training, but it is imperative that a coach oversees at all times.

Now training programs can begin to increase to one or two hours, three times a week. Trainers should work on controlled muscle development which could be focused on sport activities such as gymnastics agility exercises or martial arts, just two examples of muscle put to a purpose.