Why Should Young Athletes Opt For Weight Training

I had been to Yahoo answers recently and was looking at some of the questions on bodybuilding. There was a question from a 13 year old body who was aspiring to become a professional basketball player and inquired about strength training. Most of the answers out there had a tone of negativity. Things like, “you are too young”, “wait till you are sixteen”, “bodybuilding will reduce your muscle flexibility” came up as answers. Most common suggestions was to avoid weights altogether and just focus on using body weight. Most people suggested him to only use body weights and do exercises like push ups, pull ups, chin ups. I am sure if that guy had read those answers, he is definitely going to stay away from weights.

“Is weight training safe for kids who aspire to be sportsmen?”, this is a question that a lot of coaches and parents of young aspiring players ask regularly. The question arises for all those who are not into professional bodybuilding but other sports like Watersports, Skiing, Basketball, Hiking, Biking, Hunting, Camping, Soccer even Golf!. In general, almost every sport. They are worried that weight training may be unsafe and lifting weight at an early age can cause injuries. Also there are a lot of concerns that it may lead to slower muscle agility and reflexes. A lot of people are also worried that engaging in weight training at a younger age hinders growth. However, research and studies dismiss such concerns. Past research is in full support of weight training for young sportsmen.

Weight training with moderate weight when done under proper guidance will help bone development. Weight training induces manufacture of protein which are mineralized as calcium and increase strength and rigidity of bones. This is against the common concern that lifting weights damages the plates where your bones are growing and developing.( Click Here For More Information On weight training programs)

The key point to note here for is that weight training with your own body weight may be unsafe for your muscles, joints and developing bones because many youngsters find it difficult to handle their own weight. They will find lighter weights more comfortable and can do it with proper technique. This helps them get their bodies accustomed from a younger age and give them the time to adapt to heavier weights at a later stage. Besides positive effect on developing bones, it will also help them gain muscle, improve muscle strength and develop self esteem and confidence.

Being bigger and stronger is critical to success as a sportsmen. Strength contributes to running and jumping power, dynamic balance, shooting, checking and injury prevention. Strength and fitness are like basic foundations of athletic success. Good players build upon them with other important components like speed, agility, balance and reflexes.

Individuals who are relatively new to sport and not highly trained benefit the most from weight training. For highly-trained athletes who already posses a great deal of sport specific strength, further strength gains are less important to enhanced endurance. At the highest level of competition, increases in strength and power are not as critical as the development of correct technique. For elite athletes, the concept of specificity of training and the principles of conditioning still apply. But building up a strong strength and fitness base right from a younger age goes a long way in a successful career in sports.

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