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Teenagers and Bodybuilding (part 1)

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Youth is a time of high motivation for self-improvement and the obtaining of a satisfactory self image. Conversely it can also be a time of much self-doubt and despair. For many, early life can be sheer agony. Stick insect thin or obese conditions when young send many teenagers into almost suicidal despondency, so each and every straw is grasped in an attempt to become within the acceptable norm physically; always under peer pressure. Cures for pimples and spots are sought, only to be constantly defeated by adolescent hormones working overtime.

The youth of today find themselves attracted to image being 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 round 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.

These resulting failures can only be put down to poor training or perhaps we should say OVERTRAINING. Teenagers need to follow a concrete and well paced out program and this is where I hope to be of some assistance so that a larger number of teenagers can reach their goal of self-image. There isnt really a right or wrong age to begin with weights but it goes without saying that exercise should be encouraged from an early 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 condtions can Teenagers even begin to think about taking on training with weights.

If a youngster shows real desire to train, encouragement and one to one coaching can begin. A low resistance program should be followed in the inicial stages combined with low poundage weights and any child under the age of fourteen, MUST train under a watchful and professional eye. The earliest possible age for this type of training would be around ten years of age and only the lightest weights should be used.

Controlled low weight exercise is essencial. Repetitions averaging about twelve on a full range of basic exercises should last about thirty minutes, and no more than three times a week. The correct safety measures should always be implaced, and never forgetting to warm up and taper off. Barbell and dumbbells exercises imply the use of a collar and the coach should check weights at all times.

The type of exercises to avoid are dead lifts, good morning exercises, heavy squats or bouncing squats. Young trainers should under no circumstances use weights or do exercises that could compress the spine. Once a youth has progressed with regular continuity, heavier weights can be used under professional instruction, although heavy power lifts are unwise until the youth has finished his or her natural growth potential and bones, joints and tendons stabilize.

How about muscle being put to a purpose. Well, just two examples are Gymnastics and Martial arts, whereby muscle training by using heavier weights has an additional goal and not just image. Training can be increased to one or two hours, three times a week inorder to encourage the young trainer to obtain a useful development.