True or false, does weight lifting/working out have any damage to a 15 year old?

Question

I decided to get in better shape, so i decided to start eating better and working out. i work out 1 hour 3-4 times a week, and i do a lot of weight lifting and stuff like that. its not very heavy weights, just enough to get a good work out. i always here that "you will stunt your growth if you start working out before your 18" or "you'll have long term damange on your muscle later on" or "you'll get your muscles smaller". is any of this stuff true?

Answer 1

No, if you don't overdo it, but by all means, please consult your pediatrician.

Answer 2

As long as you don't over=stress your muscles then you should be just fine! Stunt your growth? Never heard of it doing that before. Your muscles get smaller later on? Well, only if you bulk up a lot of muscle at a young age and then don't continue to train then of course the muscles get smaller. Muscle damage will only occur if you work them too hard and repeatedly tear the muscle over and over (but this is also not good at any age, so...) I think that as long as you are careful about how and when you lift weights etc that you will be fine. Good luck with the training!

Answer 3

There hasn't been any research done (to my knowledge) that supports that adolescent boys shouldn't lift weights. It is an old rumor that if you lift weights you will stunt your growth and should be disregarded. As far as the long term muscle damage, since you are just entering puberty, your bodies testosterone level will be lower than someone who has gone through puberty. Unfortunately this will make it difficult for you to put on muscle mass, not to say it can't be done, but will make it difficult. You still can however make significant strength gains. As long as your lifting in moderation and making sure to let your muscles recover you shouldn't worry about your muscles getting smaller and your growth being stunted.

Answer 4

Maybe what you hear is that lifting "heavy" weights will stunt your growth and that is true.Lifting light weights for toning the muscles is OK.So,carry on as you are now,you are doing fine and wait until bone growth has stopped before lifting the heavy weights.

Answer 5

The one big problem you could end up with is warping your bones. If the muscles are stronger than the still-growing bones, the added tension over time can cause the bones to warp (a friend of mine in Australia had this - he was also 15.) By all means, work on muscle tone, but don't try anything to increase actual muscle bulk/strength until you stop growing.

Answer 6

False, as long as you do not work your body to long or to hard you should be okay. Try to lift a little each day and do it very longer periods of time with lighter weights rather than 10min with the heaviest weights you can find. You have a long time to get into shape so start of easy and slowly move your way up.

Good Luck with your training!

Answer 7

False, as long as you don't "power" lift you'll be fine. Power lifting can mess up bones, tendons and muscle no matter what age you are. I've never heard of stunted growth from lifting weights. SMOKING however will stunt your growth, give you bad breath and kill you probably sooner than ya think, IF you smoke....QUIT today.

Answer 8

I was always told not to lift before puberty. After 14-15yrs it's
all ok. But it would be best to have mom/dad call your doctor, to get best answer.

Answer 9

Nah a'course not.
I know plentey of guys who have worked out since 15. and there's nothing noticabliy wrong with them now. some of them are pretty tall. so i say go for it dude.

Answer 10

I dont know where you heard that from, but I would say definitly not!!! Your a boy anyways, boys grow slower. I think as long as your not overdoing it, youll be just fine.