They’ve long been fascinating places, gyms. You see all sorts. The good, the bad and the ugly of human interactions from one-upsmanship to the intricacies of romantic pair bonding.

Most gyms were distinctly adult domains for many years, but the landscape is evolving. The term ‘fit for life’ used to be somewhat of a catchphrase, but now it has become truth, and we literally mean fitness across all phases of the life span.

Many gyms once required their members to be at least 16 years of age. This was partly, though not wholly, due to a common belief that is thankfully becoming less common every year, the fear of gym training being harmful for children and youths. Nevertheless, I still find myself answering the same questions from concerned parents, “My child needs to lose weight; is the gym safe?”

Luckily it’s an easy question to answer without fear of contradiction. Quite simply, yes, the gym is safe. Not only is it safe; it is probably one of the very best options for whipping our overweight and obese nation back into shape.

If other forms of sport haven’t enticed youngsters into a more active way of life, then perhaps the different flavour of gym training could be enough to whet their appetite. Using a gym in any case is quite distinct in comparison to most other forms of active leisure like sport or outdoor activities. Gym training programmes allow careful control of frequency, type, duration and intensity of exercise.

Claiming that lifting weights is dangerous for youngsters couldn’t be further from the truth

It is effectively possible to apply a precise dosage of training to produce a desired training response. By playing a game or simply indulging in active leisure, intensity of effort can vary greatly. Unless a heart rate monitor is worn, we simply don’t know what sort of a training stimulus we’re applying.

Cardiovascular exercises in the gym on the other hand are normally performed on machines with heart rate monitors, allowing us to measure exctly how hard one is working. Resistance machines and free weights similarly allow us to track exactly how much weight is being lifted.

So, is it safe? It comes as a surprise to some when I insist that gym training is probably one of the safest forms of physical activity for children and youths. Since the type and dosage of training are carefully controlled, the risk of injury is actually greatly reduced.

Gym training is often performed by adults and athletes for precisely this reason, decreasing the risk of injuries posed by other activities by correcting muscle imbalances, strengthening muscles supporting key joints and increasing mobility and flexibility.

Also, in the standard set-up, the gym generally tends to be closely supervised and monitored by instructors, who  typically look out for members in difficulty or opporunties to improve technique. First aiders and first-aid supplies are always close at hand in any well-managed facility.

Claiming that lifting weights is dangerous for youngsters couldn’t be further from the truth. Dubious research performed on child labourers over half a century ago formed the basis for many years of the, ‘weight training stunts growth’ argument. Growth plate injuries can occur in overworked youths, but a controlled, balanced weight-training programme consisting of the right amount of weight to trigger a training response is most certainly a different story. On the contrary, properly prescribed programmes enhance bone health, delaying the loss of bone mineral density later in life.

Weight training consists of controlled movements performed with fixed amounts of weight, about correct movement patterns. The amount of force the body is subjected to throughout most weight-training exercises is actually less than those associated with running, changing direction, jumping and particularly landing. Staying away from weight training on the grounds of stresses placed on the body means that we would have to stay away from practically every sport or physical activity.

In short, weight training cannot be considered any more dangerous than any other form of physical activity. If anything, it is safer and more effective. Most facilities have done away with their minimum age requirements and welcome children and youths into the fold. So if you’ve ever wondered if the gym is safe for your children, the answer is a resounding yes.

matthewmuscatinglott@gmail.com

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