Peter's Principles - Exercise
Kids, Weights and Workouts
I get letters from time to time asking when a child should start weight training. I would say 8-years and up but always with proper supervision, like a buddy system. The weights should never be more than 15-percent of the child's weight. He or she should always have a spotter. Any movement should be seated or lying down. That’s because they're growing and it's so important to protect the back and neck-especially the L4 and L5 vertebrae of the spine.
Next, children should wear a weight-training belt. It helps protect the vertebrae. It only takes 4-to 6-pounds to crush a vertebra. Remember that in order to protect the neck area the child should never lift the weight over his or her head.
Exercise for kids is awesome! It will help build the most important things in life, like self-love, confidence and discipline. For the last 20-years, exercise has been a wonderful discipline, which has brought a lot of quality to my life. It will do the same for your kids.
You'll get an intense calorie-burning workout if you don't overdo it.