Is it safe for me to lift 20 pund weights?

Question

I am 13 years old and i am comfortable in lifting 20 pound weights with my right arm but struggle with my left. Should I get weights that are comfortable for both arms or is it better to work through it?

Answer 1

It is good to push yourself, but to a limit. You are only 13, and may damage your growth plates if you put too much pressure on your body. Try using 15 lbs until you are fairly comfortable with both arms, and then move up.

Answer 2

What you should do is use the 20 pound weights until you are unable to lift it with your left hand. Then move to 15, and then to 10 if need be.

BUT DO NOT keep working your right arm while your left is not. You need to get your left arm stronger so they are even. Doing the drop sets indicated above, moving to the lower weight with BOTH hands when your left hand gets tired is the key.

Good luck
percyrob

Answer 3

your form dictates the amount of weight that you should be using. with resistance training injury occurs as the result of improper form and muscle imbalance not from using heavy training loads.

if you can't do a solid 10 reps with the left arm then it's too heavy and you should go down in weight. only through proper form will the muscle receive proper stimulation.

you should be focusing on learning compound movements and proper form. lots of great info on this website:
http://exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

Answer 4

I recommend that you don't lift weights at all until you are atleast 16.Just do push-ups,squats,jumping jacks and so on.Simple but effective.

Answer 5

I dunno, that depends. Are you a pansy?