Do Lifting Weights Really Stunt Your Growth?

homerx

<div class="IPBDescription">Is this true or just a myth?</div> See title <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->

Malevolent

I heard that it can, but only if you start too young. Now, I know that my school wouldn't let us lift weights until 7th grade, so maybe around that time it's ok to start?

Zig

if you lift weights over your head, you'll grow squat. that's just how it is, i guess. but nobody really needs to do that, you can bench, but that gets you stiff. if you do a wide variety of exercises, i don't see why your growth would be stunted.

NOTE: one of the BEST things you can possibly do, which i'm sure won't stunt your growth, is swimming. it's the perfect exercise.

Liku

Arnold Schwarzenegger's 6' 2", and he start body building at 13. I don't know what kind of exercises he's done though.

I think it's true.

taboofires

For males at least, a regular exercise regimen releases quite a bit of testosterone and other hormones. Messing up your testosterone levels while you're still growing is going to have side effects, even if there are no other effects of lifting.

For anyone who has had all their growth spurts, it should be fine.

Other than getting enough exercise to be healthy (important), why should little kids be body building anyway? What do they hope to get out of it? If they want self confidence or something, they should try a different avenue that has other, non-physical benefits (sports, martial arts).

Also, it takes a certain level of maturity to lift weights without either hurting yourself by overdoing it or letting it all go to your head. Plenty of people enter college without that level of maturity, so I don't think it would be reasonable to expect it of the average teen.

BadKarma

Its something that little girly men that I could squeeze between my legs like a tube of toothpaste say.













kidding

SoulSkorpion

Besides, there's no point in lifting weights until your natural muscle growth has kicked in <i>anyway</i>. That's like getting breast enlargements before hitting puberty.

Ugly_Jim

The two best weight lifters in my HS were really short. I always assumed that it was because of lifting

Zig

homerx is like 19, guys. don't worry about him not having had all his growth spurts. lol

homerx

The question is not for me, it's for my little brother.

I'm already 5'11 and I'm Asian for crying out loud <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

Moquiao

yes mate,

im 6 ft started lifting @ 15 which was when i stopped being 4 ft and grew to 6 <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

Diablus

*sigh* lifting HEAVY weights at a young age does in fact stunt your growth. BUT lifting moderate weights and not overworking your muscles during your "growth" will actually help improve your body structure, if u don't belive me thats fine, but i do in fact work out and get tips and stories from trainers and body builders along with oridanry lifting fanatics.

Zig

oh... lol homerx.



diablus is right, yep. [pats muskles]

Birdy

<!--QuoteBegin--Liku+Dec 25 2003, 05:26 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Liku @ Dec 25 2003, 05:26 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Arnold Schwarzenegger's 6' 2", and he start body building at 13. I don't know what kind of exercises he's done though.

I think it's true. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
The pill exercise :/

Moquiao

<!--QuoteBegin--Birdy+Dec 25 2003, 12:49 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Birdy @ Dec 25 2003, 12:49 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Liku+Dec 25 2003, 05:26 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Liku @ Dec 25 2003, 05:26 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Arnold Schwarzenegger's 6' 2", and he start body building at 13.  I don't know what kind of exercises he's done though.

I think it's true. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The pill exercise :/ <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
arnie.. didnt take anything... arnie was a bodybuilder... from way back when... i think :S

Birdy

<!--QuoteBegin--Moquiao+Dec 25 2003, 02:05 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Moquiao @ Dec 25 2003, 02:05 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Birdy+Dec 25 2003, 12:49 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Birdy @ Dec 25 2003, 12:49 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Liku+Dec 25 2003, 05:26 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Liku @ Dec 25 2003, 05:26 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Arnold Schwarzenegger's 6' 2", and he start body building at 13.  I don't know what kind of exercises he's done though.

I think it's true. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The pill exercise :/ <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
arnie.. didnt take anything... arnie was a bodybuilder... from way back when... i think :S <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Umm no.

Lookup some biography on him, you'll see <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

He's the god of helping himself with fake muscle enhancing crap lol

Moquiao

<!--QuoteBegin--Birdy+Dec 25 2003, 01:07 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Birdy @ Dec 25 2003, 01:07 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Moquiao+Dec 25 2003, 02:05 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Moquiao @ Dec 25 2003, 02:05 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Birdy+Dec 25 2003, 12:49 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Birdy @ Dec 25 2003, 12:49 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Liku+Dec 25 2003, 05:26 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Liku @ Dec 25 2003, 05:26 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Arnold Schwarzenegger's 6' 2", and he start body building at 13.  I don't know what kind of exercises he's done though.

I think it's true. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The pill exercise :/ <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
arnie.. didnt take anything... arnie was a bodybuilder... from way back when... i think :S <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Umm no.

Lookup some biography on him, you'll see <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

He's the god of helping himself with fake muscle enhancing crap lol <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
oh pfft!

arnie rocks! you jsut cant deal with it you dutch loon <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

Birdy

<!--QuoteBegin--Moquiao+Dec 25 2003, 02:08 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Moquiao @ Dec 25 2003, 02:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Birdy+Dec 25 2003, 01:07 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Birdy @ Dec 25 2003, 01:07 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Moquiao+Dec 25 2003, 02:05 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Moquiao @ Dec 25 2003, 02:05 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Birdy+Dec 25 2003, 12:49 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Birdy @ Dec 25 2003, 12:49 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Liku+Dec 25 2003, 05:26 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Liku @ Dec 25 2003, 05:26 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Arnold Schwarzenegger's 6' 2", and he start body building at 13.  I don't know what kind of exercises he's done though.

I think it's true. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The pill exercise :/ <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
arnie.. didnt take anything... arnie was a bodybuilder... from way back when... i think :S <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Umm no.

Lookup some biography on him, you'll see <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

He's the god of helping himself with fake muscle enhancing crap lol <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
oh pfft!

arnie rocks! you jsut cant deal with it you dutch loon <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
O i can, but i prefer the real thing <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif'><!--endemo-->

Epidemic

Well, if your brother start slow I dont think he will be stunted, but as with other things, don't overdo <!--emo&::skulk::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/skulk.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='skulk.gif'><!--endemo-->

Birdy

<!--QuoteBegin--Epidemic+Dec 25 2003, 02:26 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Epidemic @ Dec 25 2003, 02:26 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Well, if your brother start slow I dont think he will be stunted, but as with other things, don't overdo <!--emo&::skulk::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/skulk.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='skulk.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Breaking your muscles is the way to let them grow more :/
Every cell you destroy your body gets more.

At least that's what my bro does and he's massive <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

Daza4

<!--QuoteBegin--Birdy+Dec 25 2003, 07:51 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Birdy @ Dec 25 2003, 07:51 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Epidemic+Dec 25 2003, 02:26 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Epidemic @ Dec 25 2003, 02:26 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Well, if your brother start slow I dont think he will be stunted, but as with other things, don't overdo  <!--emo&::skulk::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/skulk.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='skulk.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Breaking your muscles is the way to let them grow more :/
Every cell you destroy your body gets more.

At least that's what my bro does and he's massive <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
yes arnold did use steroids. But he stopped useing them 20 years ago. The rest is muscle people.

BOO

i do not believe so...

but it can mess ur wrists up<b> really</b> bad <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->

mine are done in ^_^

pardzh

<!--QuoteBegin--Zig+Dec 24 2003, 10:19 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zig @ Dec 24 2003, 10:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> NOTE: one of the BEST things you can possibly do, which i'm sure won't stunt your growth, is swimming. it's the perfect exercise. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Truths.

I have swimmerfriends. Even when I work out every day in the winter, they make me look like I sit on the couch.

UZi

There has been no direct study about weightlifting stunting growth.

It's not good on joints to lift at a young age.


Your hearing this from a guy whos been studying in the feild for over 4 years now.

Xiile

A bit offtopic but,
I've never lifted weights that are more then 15 pounds and I'm 5'6" and 105 Lbs. and I'm only 14 years old. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

UltimaGecko

I was always told not to throw curveballs until you're 13, so I would assume the same kind of mentality goes towards other muscle exercises that can strain your body.

Light lifting mixed with aerobics is probably more useful. You can be toned and flexible or muscular and inflexible. I wouldn't recommend weight lifting until 13 or 14 anyway...what is someone that young going to need huge muscles for anyway? Want to take out kidnappers - martial arts; want to be energetic and/or quicker - aerobics and running (...err, which is also aerobics); want to lift cars - cars weigh at least 8 times as much as a kid weighs, they don't need to lift cars; want to impress the ladies - 13 year olds don't care that much about muscles and hulking giants...and 13 year olds with huge muscles would look weird anyway).


Or me, moderately overweight and very flexible....mwhahahahaha <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> . All though, after being to college, I've concluded that I'm not that fat...at least, for someone from Wisconsin/Minnesota.

Phoenix_Six

I've heard that lifting weights is useful if you want to stay active and keep fit when you get to be old.
The muscle mass of men in their fifties and sixties that have jogged regularly and exercised are pretty much the same as those of men that haven't really exercised at all.
By contrast, those that did weight training and other activities that build strength rather than endurance were in better physical condition - I think it had something to do with the way age affects different types of muscle tissue.
But ontopic, yeah I'd listen to Krunk - it makes sense to me that damage done to the joints (especially the cartillage protecting them) would be the most important thing to consider. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
/me is thinking about taking up swimming now..