Strength Training for Kids and Teens

Nutrition and fitness programs for kids and teens are becoming pretty popular, yet sometimes they're also controversial. Things like weight training for kids and teens raises some questions.

Doctors and fitness experts say that not all training is as strenuous and dangerous as body building and power lifting.

'It is essentially, exercising as a sport," said co-owner of Shenandoah CrossFit, Owen McAteer.

He says CrossFit is the sport of fitness. Their daily workouts include strength, power and weight training. He says it can be for everyone, even kids and teens, as long as their form and technique is right.

"It has to be hammered into your central nervous system where you do these movements fluidly without thought, without having to concentrate on different things and just making sure that no matter what you do, your form does not break down," said McAteer.

The Mayo Clinic finds that no only does strength training help kids and teens who are involved in sports, but it also strengthens bones, promotes healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, helps maintain a healthy weight and improves self-esteem and confidence.

Yet since kids' and teens' bodies are growing, McAteer says that's why some find weight and strength training controversial.

"Their bodies are growing at sort of this exponential rate so therefore, their proprioception and body awareness changes on a regular basis," said McAteer.

That means one week they might have perform form and the next week, since their body grew, they lose it. Then they have to work on their form again.

"You have to sort of make the adjustments back and forth with someone that is still growing," said McAteer.

Shenandoah CrossFit works regularly with high school athletes as well as teens looking for strength training. They're hosting a summer camp for boys and girls looking to stay fit during the summer and in between sports seasons. Click here for more information about the camp and how you can sign your teens up.

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Source: http://www.tv3winchester.com/home/headlines/Strength-Training-for-Kids-and-Teens-196258091.html

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