Ds wants weights for his birthday

[Youagain2025]

Ds is coming up 10. He wants weights for his birthday. I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not. Just wondering what others think 🤔

No, I wouldn’t say this is a good idea. You need to seriously research anything like this for children who are developing.

Don't think they're meant to do weight training until closer to finished growing as not good for development

Oh yeah what a dope i never thought of that. I did think about the aerobic type ones . But they are same things really. I will try think of something else

Punch bag
parachute for running
pull up bar for the door
indoor cycle bike/treadmill
press up pad
floor ladders
stretch bands
many other options for fitness other than weights

What about some resistance bands? Cheaper, less dangerous, and less ability to accidentally lift too much. I’m not aware of any recommendation against their use in ten year olds.

Also - teach him some basic bodyweight exercises.

Thank you. Great ideas. I think they sound great . Not sure what a floor ladder is going to look. He would definitely like the pull up bar though 👍

Are there any CrossFit Kids classes in your area? He might like those (especially if he’s into Gladiators!)

Our council run gym don’t allow kids to have gym memberships till they turn 11 so I would probably use that as the benchmark age for weights, and would be inclined towards a gym membership for an 11th birthday present, where he will have an introduction and staff on hand to provide guidance rather than an at home set.

The list of activities provided above is great, to add another suggestion, if you have an outdoor pursuits/PGL type place, would he be interested in any of their classes on kayaking, climbing or whatever else they have to offer.

I agree. Rather than leave him to it at home, risking doing it incorrectly and causing himself an injury, find a class he’ll enjoy.

CrossFit kids is getting popular, they’ll teach him proper form and work mainly with bodyweight at that age.

there’s also things like martial arts, climbing and parkour which will get him strong and fit. Or more traditional sports like rowing.

i’d buy him some taster sessions or pay for an initial course instead. Discuss with him what he would like to try first, and explain that like most things, he needs to learn how to lift weights correctly first.

I bought DS1 (13) some weights around that age, he's very into sports and physical fitness (and goes round the country watching strongman competitions). He uses them regularly and now has bar weights, bench and a rowing machine. His sport club has a gym they use when it's too wet to train so he started using similar things there under adult supervision. Buy some, he'll either love them or you'll end up with them.

My first thought was, is he consuming online media that talks about how men should push heavy weights etc? The manosphere?

Going against the grain here my DS (7) has a selection of dumbbells up to 5kg I think he likes to do things like walking lunges with them. He has ADHD and heavy work helps him to regulate. He tried Cross Fit and didn't like the atmosphere at all, same
with kids weights classes. I don’t think there is anything wrong with a doing a variety of activities, as with anything moderation and balance is the key.

Ds is autistic he does not like group type things. So it would likely be something at home. I was thinking the lightest weights. I think the door way lift bar is a good idea. But I think he wants to actually lift .

At that age, the only thing they should be really using is their own body weight. Pull ups, resistance bands, core and flexibility.

Light weights are fine for kids, I would think

If he wants to lift then he can, but use a bar with no weight added until his form is good.

perhaps hire a personal trainer for an hour to go through the basics and give him a rough plan and list of do’s and don’t?