Child bodybuilding is gaining more popularity and exposure in the US. Teens and pre-teens enrolling in gyms and fitness clubs all over the country are gradually increasing every year. For instance, child bodybuilding practice between the 6 to 11 year old category alone has almost doubled since the year 2005. This is an industry seen by many to take more speed and momentum in the coming months and years. More and more people are getting aware of their health and fitness. This resulted in the rapid explosion of the health and fitness industry. It is therefore not surprising to witness gyms and all kinds of fitness clubs sprouting everywhere catering to child bodybuilding specially. Fitness enthusiasts are no longer concentrated on adults. Children as young as four years old are allowed to train and work out in a gym.
Child Bodybuilding
The question that most people ask when it comes to child bodybuilding is “Should children under the age of fourteen works out and train with weights?” This query can be answered in many ways. Of course, the concept has its advantages as well as disadvantages. Even the health and fitness community is divided about child bodybuilding. Some argue that children shouldn’t train with weights as it can cause premature fusion of the bones thus stunting growth. Furthermore, some think that the physiologies of children are not suited to the stresses that come with a weight program. However, the most important issue is how someone should define a weight program with the child in mind. This means that the weight program should be carried out in a way that is appropriate to the body structure and physiology of a child. Basically, child bodybuilding is different than adult bodybuilding.
The American College of Sports Medicine as well as the National Strength and Conditioning Association have issued certain guidelines when it comes to childhood strength training and child bodybuilding. The most important of these guidelines include the following:
The child being trained should be mature enough that he or she is able to follow instructions from trainers, respect fellow trainees, and respond accordingly to coaching advice.
from trainers, respect fellow trainees, and respond accordingly to coaching advice. Weight training should just be a part of the child’s exercise regimen meaning working with weights shouldn’t be the sole focus of the training program . It should include other movement-related exercises whether it’s for sports or for play.
. It should include other movement-related exercises whether it’s for sports or for play. The child is to be watched and supervised at all times during the duration of the training . The gym is a place filled with all kinds of hazards. A single mistake with equipment can easily hurt a child.
. The gym is a place filled with all kinds of hazards. A single mistake with equipment can easily hurt a child. The child shouldn’t be given maximal weight training. The ACSM particularly states that a child should not train with a resistance that requires him or her to perform no less than eight repetitions.
With that said, child bodybuilding is more than okay as long as the right training techniques are used and the guidelines imposed by the ACSM are followed.
Conclusion: Child Bodybuilding
Child bodybuilding has a lot of benefits including increased muscle strength and endurance, better cardio, stronger bones, lower blood cholesterol levels, nutritional habits, and an exercise habit that can last a lifetime. If you are an adult and want to gain some mucle mass then you should buy testosterone boosters that will make you struggle less for getting a good physiques. However, these supplements should be consumed in limited quantity only else can lead to adverse effects.
