Bodybuilding Advice – Teenagers and Bodybuilding (part 1)

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.

This is truly a great pity, because the main reason for failure is incorrect training. In most if not all, that means OVER TRAINING. Bodybuilding for young people should follow a specific and gradual pattern, and I now hope to set out some of the rights and wrongs, in an attempt to bring success to a far greater percentage of young trainers. It is difficult to define a right or wrong age at which to start training with weights, although movement and exercise should naturally be encouraged at any age.

Especially in the formative years, youngsters should be encouraged to participate in all types of sports and occupations with the object of obtaining and aiding full normal development and the learning of skills. All young people should be trained as soon as possible to obtain the basic fitness to literally save their own lives. Running, jumping and swimming are definite musts! Most children with positive encouragement can learn to swim within a week. The running and athletic exercises ensure healthy lungs and cardiovascular systems, without which heavier exercises are useless or indeed even harmful.

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.

The importance of Controlled Low Weight training is essential for the development of the youngest. A full range of basic exercises with about twelve repetitions averaging 30 minutes should be carried out no more than three times a week. The presence of a professional coach is required to check the weights in use and ensure that a collar is worn when both barbell and dumbbell exercises are carried out. The coach must also ensure that all security measures are in place and insist on warming up and tapering off.

Dead lifts, good morning exercises, heavy squats and bouncing squats should be avoided at all times by young trainees, as well as any form of weight exercise that could lead to compressing the spine. Having reached a stage whereby his or her natural growth potential and bones, joints and tendons have stabilized, heavier weights can be introduced into training, but it is imperative that a coach oversees at all times.

Schedules can become longer ranging from one to two hours, three times a week. It is not necessary, or wise to spend more time than this on what after all is an introverted occupation, nor should too much narcissism be the object, instead encourage the young trainer to obtain a useful development. Gymnastics agility exercises or martial arts are just two examples of muscle put to a purpose.