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Original poster

Fitness ‘stuff’ for teen boy - any ideas

69 replies

ShatteredDream · 05/12/2021 21:14

Ds is almost 16 and suddenly interested in getting fit. He’s asked for fitness ‘stuff’ he can use in his room. But he has no idea what this stuff is…
Any ideas what I can get him that seems like a gift but will fit the brief

OP posts:
TheFoundations · 05/12/2021 23:12

[quote Rivermonsters]@TheFoundations it’s not ‘gaining fat’ it’s putting on weight. Because if he’s very thin then IMO he should get to a healthy weight before starting weight training . This is my 3 month transformation[/quote]
What is the weight made of, if it's not fat or muscle? What you're saying makes absolutely no sense. Did a personal trainer tell you this? I'm a personal trainer, and I'd love to know what they were getting at.

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/12/2021 23:13

Resistance bands are simple but very effective.

Rivermonsters · 05/12/2021 23:14

@TheFoundations I’m saying on my own personal experience, it’s clearly worked for me 🤷🏻‍♀️

Rivermonsters · 05/12/2021 23:14

On behalf of** can’t spell ffs

Original poster
ShatteredDream · 05/12/2021 23:17

[quote Rivermonsters]@ShatteredDream, how much does he weigh may I ask ?[/quote]
He’s just over 8 stone, 5 foot 8 so he’s not underweight but very slight looking, his weight is monitored regularly by CAHMS due to his medication. I think his friends are looking stockier and he’s become aware of it

OP posts:
Rivermonsters · 05/12/2021 23:18

@ShatteredDream tell him to never compare himself to others xx :) lots of good suggestions on this thread.

TheFoundations · 05/12/2021 23:22

[quote Rivermonsters]@TheFoundations I’m saying on my own personal experience, it’s clearly worked for me 🤷🏻‍♀️[/quote]
If you've gained weight that isn't muscle, you've gained fat. It's not necessary or advisable to do that prior to starting a weight training programme with the intention of building muscle. It makes no sense at all.

Sorry for the derail, OP. He needs to make sure he's eating appropriate foods to build muscle and be well nourished. The weight he gains will be muscle. There's absolutely no need, health or looks wise, to gain 'weight' prior to building muscle. It will just be fat that he needs to make an effort to lose later.

Rivermonsters · 05/12/2021 23:24

@TheFoundations Hmm even tho if I flex my biceps I can clearly see muscle.

Rivermonsters · 05/12/2021 23:27

@TheFoundations each to their own, i work out 3 times a week whilst simultaneously eating the right amount of calories to put on weight. In OPs original statement I assumed her son was underweight hence my comment about putting on weight, putting on a bit of weight won’t make you fat especially if you’re on the lower scale of weight

TheFoundations · 05/12/2021 23:30

[quote Rivermonsters]@TheFoundations Hmm even tho if I flex my biceps I can clearly see muscle.[/quote]
Your advice was to gain 'weight' before trying to build muscle. My question was what should that 'weight' be made of? You have answered that you can now see your biceps. You're not making sense.

I'm not debating whether you've put on muscle personally. I don't care! It's the giving dodgy advice to a teenage novice I was curious about. You'll have OP worrying about him for spurious reasons.

Rivermonsters · 05/12/2021 23:33

Well if you’re skin and bones then one should be more focused on putting on weight. Which OPs son isn’t, therefore she shouldn’t worry about it

Rivermonsters · 05/12/2021 23:34

That’s just my opinion, you’re entitled to your own.

TheFoundations · 05/12/2021 23:34

[quote Rivermonsters]@TheFoundations each to their own, i work out 3 times a week whilst simultaneously eating the right amount of calories to put on weight. In OPs original statement I assumed her son was underweight hence my comment about putting on weight, putting on a bit of weight won’t make you fat especially if you’re on the lower scale of weight[/quote]
Please tell me what this 'weight' is, if it's not muscle? Gaining body fat isn't 'getting fat'.

Each to their own is fine, but you do you. As a personal trainer, I tend to pick up on people spouting nonsense about training, which is what you're doing.

If he's underweight, he needs to do the same as anybody else: adjust his calories so that he's got enough to support muscle growth, and progressively overload with his training. That's it. There's no need to gain this non-specified 'weight' substance you're talking about.

Rivermonsters · 05/12/2021 23:35

@TheFoundations I get where you’re coming from, maybe I just worded it wrong (I tend to have the habit of doing that).

Original poster
ShatteredDream · 05/12/2021 23:36

[quote Rivermonsters]@ShatteredDream tell him to never compare himself to others xx :) lots of good suggestions on this thread.[/quote]
Oh I do 😊 I’m always telling him he’s perfect as he is, he takes after my brothers who looked just like him when young, they didn’t fill out until their 20s. I just want him to do something he enjoys, I’ll be keeping an eye on it though

OP posts:
TheFoundations · 05/12/2021 23:38

@Rivermonsters

Well if you’re skin and bones then one should be more focused on putting on weight. Which OPs son isn’t, therefore she shouldn’t worry about it
This is simply not true.

Again, sorry for the derail, OP.

Stopping now as it's clearly pointless, but hopefully you won't be advising your son to gain 'weight' before he starts to build muscle. It'd be a good idea, as suggested by PPs, for him to see a PT for a session or two to get some advice from somebody who does know what they're talking about!

Feckauras · 06/12/2021 00:29

Op, how about a gym membership? Some gyms do memberships for teenagers. You could check out your local leisure centre and maybe a few PT sessions to help him focus on his diet etc to building muscle safely for his age group.

hivemindneeded · 06/12/2021 05:46

My DC loved adjustable handweights on a stand like these

Also a pull up bar that goes across the door. that got used a lot. They asked for a roller but didn't see it get used much.

You could also buy a kettle bell. Probably about 12kg for a young man. I started at 8kg as a middle aged woman and now easily do 10kg so I guess they'll be stronger.

lockitdown · 06/12/2021 07:51

Can I ask - do those pull up bars affect the paint on the door frames? Be honest with me.

hivemindneeded · 06/12/2021 09:56

@lockitdown

Can I ask - do those pull up bars affect the paint on the door frames? Be honest with me.
Not sure, because we've never taken ours down yet but if they did, it's a tiny area that would just need retouching.
Simonjt · 06/12/2021 09:58

The first thing I would get is a few sessions with a PT, its very easy to injure yourself if you don’t have correct form. In some areas gym membership for teens is actually quite reasonable, especially when you consider how pricey even basic equipment can be.

Alongside some adjustable dumbells, chin up bar etc, get some liquid chalk, it isn’t messy like powdered chalk and will reduce blistering on the palms.

And no, he doesn’t need to increase body fat to increase his muscle mass, you need to be in a calorie deficit to lower your body fat before you focus on increasing muscle mass (if you have excess fat). But hey, what would a trained PT, coach or professional rugby player know!

evilharpy · 06/12/2021 10:53

I would really recommend a TRX. They're incredibly versatile and totally adaptable for complete beginners and people who are already very strong/fit.

A set of resistance tubes would also be really useful and you can do a lot with them.

He would very quickly outgrow a set of 10kg dumbbells.

TheFoundations · 06/12/2021 11:10

Any weights you buy need to be adjustable really. The whole point of weight training is that you progress (and quickly, especially as a beginner) to need more and more over time. A fixed weight will be obsolete quickly. It's a bit like buying clothes for kids. You have to keep in mind that they're going to be useless quite soon, and bear in mind when you buy them what you're going to do with them when you're done with them.

It's why the TRX is so good. You use your bodyweight, and can adjust all the exercises by adjusting your position. You could get him a book on calisthenics, actually. Then his own body is the gym, and he can work out anywhere with no equipment. Handstand press ups, anyone..?

OriginalM · 06/12/2021 13:53

@lockitdown

Can I ask - do those pull up bars affect the paint on the door frames? Be honest with me.
Yes and it's cracked our doorframe, disclaimer though my son uses it as a swinging monkey bar though
WeAllHaveWings · 06/12/2021 14:43

@lockitdown

Can I ask - do those pull up bars affect the paint on the door frames? Be honest with me.
We have one of these ones for the last 2 years. It only touches in 4 parts (yellow bits).

The two contact points on the side frames have caused no damage.

The two contact points above the door frame, if I stand on my tip toes I can't see anything noticeable on the wall paint, can't see anything on the door frame either.

ds(17) is very careful when putting it on/off the door and uses it correctly.

Fitness ‘stuff’ for teen boy - any ideas