If you’ve got a young athlete at home—or just a kid who wants to get stronger—you’ve probably heard a lot of opinions, both for and against strength training for kids. Maybe your neighbor claimed lifting weights could stunt growth, or your child’s coach recommends “just stick to bodyweight exercises.” The surprising truth? When done right, strength training is not only safe for kids—it’s good for them! Let’s clear up the confusion and break down what every parent should know. Busting the Big Myths Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Does strength training stunt a child’s growth? Can it damage their growth plates? The answer, from decades of research and major health organizations, is a solid no when strength training is done properly. Early myths about damaged growth plates came from isolated incidents and outdated advice. Today, professional groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National...Read more