Would you want your kids to start working out young?

Question

I don’t mean just playing in the streets or around on the playground. But like would you want to get them into biking, jogging, jumping jacks, situps, pushups, etc at an early age? And lol look at this vid below #FeelFreeToList

Bro is raising the mini avengers😭 pic.twitter.com/XN92NxFojl
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HawkPerception · Accepted Answer

Absolutely. I started working out in grade 3 (around 8 years old because I had a late birthday), which is kinda late. I started soccer training a year after. My dad made sure I did no weight training, but in reality even weight training does not stunt growth. It's just a myth. Physical training helps build muscle tissue which contributes to good posture and healthy body image. It also helps develop coordination at an early age. I'd be outside with my kid (ideally) all the time and doing stuff like pushups and sit-ups with him. It's fun for kids to use their energy physically.

I remember when younger I'd try to copy my dad doing pushups and try to do as many or beat him. It wasn't too long after I could do more pushups than him and I was one of the most coordinated kids around. In my schools I was first in all running events, had the pushups record and then in high school everyone knew I was the best soccer player and I was still of the best runners. Even now when I'm 30 years old, due to muscle memory I find I'm capable of much more than most people my age.

ItsMariusz · Accepted Answer

I wouldn't really push them into heavy workouts with equipment when they're little. I genuinely think building up their mental resilience is way more important in those early years than just focusing on physical fitness. That's what my dad did for me – got me into meditation early on and taught me not to stress about things that are out of my hands. Of course, I'd want them to stay active with lots of running around and fun cardio activities. When they're a bit older, maybe martial arts could come into play, and as teenagers, that's when we'd start getting into more structured workouts, blending it all in with the whole growing-up package.

IslaTheWitch · Accepted Answer

Small kids exercise on their own :D It's enough to provide them with space and opportunities, such as playgrounds or a safe space at home.

Children aged 5 and older can start participating in sport classes. My older daughter began with ju-jitsu and later switched to artistic gymnastics. The younger one started with ballet, then gymnastics, and later took up street dance. My son played soccer.

The earlier we give our kids the opportunity to incorporate their chosen sport into their lives, the better. It doesn't have to be anything demanding. Classes for kids take their age and still-developing motor skills into consideration. They also teach discipline, establish daily and weekly routines, and help children form new bonds with peers who share the same interests.

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

I would want them to be moderately athletic when they are kids with age appropriate sports because I believe being athletic as a child increases your pain threshold when you are older and life is hard if you have a lower pain threshold because there are many painful things people go through like disease or child birth or broken bones or medical injuries.

NathanDavis · Answer

nope, not at all... I would not want my kids to be gym heads... because for the majority of people this is a "lone" thing, and primarily a lone thing

and if they have my "genes" they better don't isolate lol... I would very much prefer they go into sports, and into TEAM dynamics, and socializing and learning from and with other people, so I would never impose something like this on them...

but if they really really wanted it... they would have to wait for it, till later... when they're much older and much more aware of themselves and everyone else too

I of course would encourage them to pursue their genuine interests even if fleeting like many kids do have it, but there's also boundaries... and become a psycho gymhead is not something I would let them do, lol

DJB72 · Answer

If my son isn't allowed to be active I suspect he'll explode. He wants to run everywhere and he's always busy.

It's scary that next year he's going to have to sit still in a classroom and have some idiot tell me there's something wrong with him because they don't understand how to teach boys anymore...

WhiteSteve · Answer

I’d want them to be active. I’m working with 25-30 year old information here, but my understanding is that prepubescent weight training can negatively affect the growth platelets at the ends of bones, and possibly cause stunted growth. So I’d keep them off weights til about 14, but calisthenics and other body weight exercise is all good👍

love_conquers_lust · Answer

No. If they want exercise, they can play sports that don’t involve brain damage.

My sister’s husband and I are on same page on this one because we both are carrying chronic ailments from football. We both think it’s a stupid sport and it’s not worth the injuries or the permanent brain damage from concussions.

Really, you can do the conditioning without playing the game, like CrossFit.

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

You forgot the vid but I'm not going to force them to go outside but they won't get a phone until the proper age so they better find something to do, which I believe that something to do will be go outside and play lol

TaureanBull81 · Answer

Wow! That's intense exercise already at such a young age especially with the gymnastics routines on the high bar and round rotation circle 🔵

Honestly plenty of exercise playing outside on playground equipment, swimming 🏊‍♂️, bike riding etc is suitable for this age group.

mandyfire98 · Answer

If I do have kids and that's a big big if, I'd be ok with them being into sports and being active regularly but I don't know if children need to be gym rats exactly.

Apple1996 · Answer

Nah my 9 and almost 7 year old already have abs and muscles from just playing. Sports and working out would just be overkill on a kid. I'd rather let them have fun as a kid and not have stress like that

electromagnetic · Answer

I work out. That’s always been my thing but I would never force my children to partake. Children learn through imitation and examples. Maybe if they see it, they’ll be more inclined to want to try. But I’d never force.

lilBigPotato · Answer

As long as they are physically active and not just lying all day long in front of the TV that's good enough for me. If they are interested in sports that's great but not expecting kids to go to the gym

robhazelnut · Answer

I wouldn't force them to- force would result in them hating it and being more likely to hurt themselves. If I had kids, I'd work out around them and clarify things if and when they joined in.

exitseven · Answer

I was into fitness most of my life. I was a marathon runner. I think some of it rubbed off on my kids. My sons both were on the track team and my daughter played soccer. They seem to be in pretty good shape even now.

AviatorTom · Answer

When my kids were growing up, we insisted that they get some daily exercise. That usually involved biking or playing outside. They also went to the Y and participated in youth sports.

4ngelic · Answer

yea but not stuff like weights and stuff. more like sports like soccer, running, judo, tennis, dancing, etc

TrueConfection · Answer

Some people (old and young) love all physical fitness. My friend's son has been making up his own workouts since he was a little tyke.

Joshydavid25 · Answer

Absolutely.. I'm a fitness fanatic, don't know if my wife will be, but I would love for them to start early.. Maybe even give em some little medical boost.. 😈😈.. JK.. 😂

kellytheman · Answer

Yeah I do feel child obesity is a huge problem so I would try to o out with them and go biking or hiking maybe sign them for a sport. As long they can be active for a couple hours a day building muscle I think it a good thing.

aceleon · Answer

absolutly, infact i would probably raise my kids thatway if i had them.

Phoenix98 · Answer

Probably around highschool yeah but you don't want to start them working out seriously to early because it can mess with their bodies.

pascal_climbs · Answer

Its a good start, but they have to like it. Otherwise I give it one month before they give up.

Sirenboobzilla · Answer

I'd be inclined to do it. Teach discipline early on.

Anpu23 · Answer

That's too young to me. I'm more concerned about healthy lifestyles and the like.

Fabiloso · Answer

Healthily. Not too much but enough for good habits

PeterLegg91 · Answer

There's this young Asian kid who does karate he imitates Bruce Lee scenes from his movies, never seen a kid so fit he has a six pack and muscles and everything lol

appleadayisgood · Answer

i think having my kids starting working out & age 8 to 9 would not be a bad thing. they would be in better shape then most kids their age.

Sparkie460 · Answer

If that's what they wanted to do, I'd let them but my kids had no interest. My daughter just started working out 3 years ago to lose weight.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Running, surfing, martial arts would be good.

Alex8736 · Answer

That was me and in high school people thought I was on steroids

dolemite58 · Answer

kids get enough exercise from playing, people shouldn’t lift weights before puberty

Abdulwahh · Answer

Yeah that would be healthy we will do it together

Billlewis · Answer

Exercising, yes. Lifting weights, no.

RavVid · Answer

That is a little too young in my view.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Yes. It will be good for them.

Amiapowerlessman · Answer

Yeah I would, why not

Mark987 · Answer

No way... stunts their growth

TacosRAwesome · Answer

In some way or another yes.

dragoblack · Answer

Yep, but make sure it isn't bulking workouts

DreamLife7 · Answer

Not a gym rat but hiking and sports sure

FenixG45 · Answer

I would encourage my kid to do so.

Agape93 · Answer

Yeah

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Yes, must exercise.

kingmaker21 · Answer

Absolutely yes ma'am

Extraterrestrial1999 · Answer

Of course

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