Questions about weight lifting
 

Hey everyone.

I'm 13, 170 pounds and 5' 5". I've really gotten into getting into shape lately. I hate knowing I can get fatter and fatter, increasing my man boobs. I've started exercising alot and I feel better about myself even thought it's been only a week or so. I've also started weight lifting, and it feels great to work my muscles.

So I had a few questions.

1.) Does weight lifting affect growth? A friend told me it did, but I'm not sure. Can someone clarify?

2.) What would a good limit for weight and reps be? I can handle probably 40 pounds and thats including the bar, without hurting my arm.

3.) Anything I can do to advance muscle growth? I don't want to use steroids or anything like that. Maybe Creatine or Whey Protein.


Thanks guys, I'm going to be working out with a close friend every weekend at the local gym in addition to my workouts as home. I'm considering even making a progress journal.

Thanks!


James

I feel like 13's pretty young to lift weights, but my dad's a personal trainer. I'll ask him as soon as I get the chance.
Try to work on losing fat before you gain too much muscle. Try running or some kind of cardio.

diet and exercise are far better tools to burning fat and being healthier than any lifting regimen could provide. skip the bench and just get active. pick up a sport, stick with it through high school and enjoy your time spent as a teenager instead of worrying about your personal image for the time being. i know i never started working out seriously until i got to college, and only because i couldn't find time enough time in my schedule to invest in a team sport. although it's good that you're being conscientious about your lifestyle at your age, i know i wasn't.

but to answer your question, no, you're not too young to start lifting. just don't worry about taking any supplements.

if you're wanting to lose weight you're better to do more CV work like running/cycling/swimming ect.

If you're wanting to build muscle concentrate on lifting the heaviest you can (without killing yourself obviously). It's better for you to do say 10 reps of 40 - then take a break - then do another 10 than it is to do 30 reps of 20 (or whatever).

And remember that all of this is pointless without a healthy diet.

Swimming is insanely good for the body, whilst it burns fat the water provides resistance which tones the muscles, rather than enlarging them. As AwwSugar said, 13 is a pretty young age to start weightlifting. Also why do you think all swimmers are hot :D? Swimming makes you hot. Haha, I kid you not :laughing:.

Lifting weights won't do you any harm or stunt your growth as long as you perform the movements correctly. Lifting weights incorrectly can lead to posture issues and a great deal of pain later on in life (and by this I mean in your 20's).

As the others have suggested, it's better to take part in an activity where you can gain all round physical excellence i.e. balance, bone density, cardiovascular fitness etc. (plus it's usually more fun and social).

If your heart is set on hitting the gym (I'm surprised they let you use the weights) then remember these guidelines:

Muscle toning - lower weights, many repetitions, high intensity with short rest periods
Muscle bulk - heavy weights, low reps with adequate rest but not too much.

Follow a healthy diet and keep hydrated too.

Says the lifeguard.
;P

* /Swimming teacher ;)






:D

lifting weights is only 30% of training, eating the proper food is 70% of trying to achieve your goal, a good tip is do the weights first, high reps low reps, whatever your looking for muscle growth or loosing weight, then do about 30 minutes of cardio, because by then you will be tapping into your body fat, and you notice a difference rather quickly, remember eating the right food is the most important discipline..

13's fine to use weights but proper form must always be first and foremost. Injuries at your age can lead to life long abborations. Sacrafice poundage to secure form. always.

1. Weight lifting can affect growth to a degree but heigh is predominantly linked with diet. Your genes predetermine your height, but you only achieve the maximum potential if you eat what you ought to. Eat meat, but not constantly. If you're going to stay in shape, you need to git the food groups somewhat equally.

2. Depends what you're going for. 8 to 10 reps is standard but if you're looking to get bigger then it should be 4 to 6 reps. And when I say that I mean thats how many you can do, not how many you choose to do.*

3. Those products are horrible and you shoudl avoid them at all costs. I wouldn't say they are damaging long term, but their certainly not good. Stick to a meat (less cow, more fish, and always chicken/pork), potatoes (starches in general, pasta counts), and vegetibles. (pick you're own but the darker the green the better).

*The biggest piece of advice I can give to any young weightlifter is this: get a partner. Spotting allows you to get closer to goals quicker. Have them only help you as much as it takes to move something. As a 5'10 guy who starts as thin as a rail, with a parter I got to about 192 on the bench which is farily good for how infrequently we actually worked out. Its about 1.5x my own body weight. Or was.

A partner also helps you to get to the gym. I'd have blown off so many nights if I was by myself. Getting there is 90% of the issue.