My 11 year old wants to "bulk up"

[Sweetthicthighs]

Now I'm all for him keeping fit and healthy but I'm really on the fence with bulking up, firstly he hasn't quite hit puperty but there's signs he is, such as his appearance hence the "bulk up".

Background he was born 10 weeks early he has always been a little twiglet, he's also on a growth hormone injection that he gets every night he's small for his actual age so he gets this injection to help his body keep grow in line.

Last night he was excersising and asking me he'd like to have abit more muscle because he's sick of looking and feeling weak. He is weak since having fine motor weakness and all though it can be a huge benefit to that I'm not sure if he's the correct age?, I'm clueless as to how to start this, is it right?. I've told him if he wants to try it he can with me as I'm in the middle of loosing weight and also getting fit. Any suggestions?

www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/strength-training/art-20047758

I think it's wonderful he wants to get into fitness training.

This chap has lots of exercises and routine videos for children -

Another interest dow him could be martial arts.

Look at this fantastic little girl -

www.instagram.com/reel/CuT37D-IBg7/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

They learn discipline and how to defend themselves.

There was a guy on Chris Evans show yesterday talking about the benefits of weight training at a young age. I was really pleased as DS 15 has been doing it a while and I always thought he was too young. This guy was saying that training as a young person will improve bone density for life.
I can't remember all the facts but obviously not lifting crazy amounts it should be ok.
Sorry don't have actual advice but it's a great start to be fit for life.

Even if he hasn't fully hit puberty yet (neither has my 13yo son) he can still try to gain wight and muscle, it shouldn’t affect his growth at all. If he ups what he eats and eats more protein then it should start to show. It’s great that he wants to actively improve himself, just make sure it doesn’t turn into body dysmorphia, because he’s only 11 still. Plus, he won’t get significant signs of muscle until he’a fully hot puberty which will probably be between 16-18 x

I think at this age he needs a proper supervised activity.

i agree with martial arts.
if he’s a twiglet climbing might suit him.

if he’s stuck on weights/strength training either a weightlifting club, or try local CrossFit boxes- many have junior sections now.

I think at this age he needs a proper supervised activity.

There are some fun activities which will naturally build strength - my 5'1" dd has much better upper body strength than most young women because she got into watersports, especially the windsurfing.

I would work on the muscle weakness - in conjunction with a professional.
And also eat healthily, and excerise sensibly.
Basically, live a healthy lifestyle, with a bit of input from an expert into his existing muscle weakness.

What does he think strong looks like? My youngest is 12 (year 7). He is slight compared to his friends (but not his older brother). He can out run most, out jump most. He can't throw very well.
He is constantly on the go. He is slim, not very muscular - but equally, I wouldn't expect him to be right now. So I'd also gently probe about his expectations and if they are realistic.

He thinks strong looks like a muscled boy, not ripped but it's obvious if you get me? I told him he's only young so don't expect to see those type of results u till he's at least 16-18 yrs however I'm all for him feeling fit and healthy, he's only 4ft4 so he still has alot of catching up to do height wise hence the growth hormone Injection without that he'd be smaller. I'll take a look around see what can help him.

That's my biggest worry body dysmorphia, I've got it and I started around 11 years old it's stuck with me mentally it's draining so I'm trying my best to make him understand no matter what he looks like he's still a wonderful child and he has plenty of time to improve his appearance if that's what he wants. Protein wise he gets it but not enough so maybe I'll go down that route first.

That’s understandable, my son wishes he was a bit taller and more broad, but he hasn’t even hit puberty yet, so realistically all I can do is support him and tell him he looks wonderful no matter what. If you’re doing that, then you’re doing your best in my opinion 😊 I recommend adding sesame seeds to meals, they’re a great source of healthy fat and protein x

Our local leisure centre does special gym memberships for 11-16yr olds, could ask at yours to see if they run classes for his age group! I also second the suggestion to look at climbing/bouldering.

It seems to be very easy to slip down the social media hole and get sucked into a certain body image when looking at male fitness... Definitely something as a parent to a naturally skinny boy I myself would be monitoring and researching, to find positive influencers focusing on natural strength rather than 'the goal is merely to be hench'. My own DS is a bit young but I will be reading with interest.

I think be honest and clear that training results at any age will only be within a range ie most - least muscly FOR YOU, illustrate this by using the example of men he knows (Dad, teachers etc), if x trained hard he could definitely be stronger, but not as muscled as y, and definitely not like (z celebrity) because genetics determines a lot. Our body shape, natural muscle and body composition will be the outside limits of what we can expect from training. And encourage health/fitness as one aspect of self development, ask about skills he would like to develop, social things he'd like to pursue, other interests. And of course make sure he knows he has value regardless of how he looks and what he does.