Teen Bodybuilding

Teen bodybuilding is a controversial subject. Because teens are in the growing and development stage, it can actually stunt their growth to undertake too much weight training, resulting in a smaller physique than if they had done no bodybuilding at all.

There is nothing wrong with a teen wanting to tone his or her body, however very heavy weights should be avoided.

It should also be noted that taking supplements such as creatine is not advisable for teens. These supplements do more harm than good in a young body, particularly in males where testosterone is already running wild. Taking any sort of testosterone enhancing supplement can be dangerous for teens, not to mention ineffective and a waste of money.

Teens wanting to body build should limit themselves to one or two days of weight training per week. One day can be arms and chest exercises, and the other can be legs. It is important to undergo two to three days (or more) of cardio work. This will build and maintain flexibility and of course provide other benefits such as heart health and circulation.

With all of this said, there are many very well trained teen bodybuilders. Many enter competitions and have physiques like adults. It is still controversial and not agreed upon as to whether these teens are causing great damage to their bodies.

Teens under 16 years of age should generally not engage in heavy weight lifting. Once a teen reaches 17, 18 and older then he can start increasing the load of weights he is lifting.

Teens require many small meals during the day due to their fast metabolic rate. This will assist in the growth of a well toned, muscle physique.

Some tips for teens to avoid bodybuilding injuries include sticking with the traditional lifting styles. Don’t try exotic moves or experienced positions. These are for experts, not beginners. You should stick with the basics such as curls and extensions. In fact, a barbell and a dumbbell really are all you need at this point.

Teens should also avoid over lifting as this will have a negative impact on muscular and skeletal development. Teens should be able to lift 8-12 reps per set, so sticking to a weight that allows that is the best way to make progress without injury.