Last Updated on November 28, 2017 by MarcyPro
As your child grows to adolescence, he/she might start taking an interest in going to the gym for exercise. That chance increases if your son/daughter is in an athletic program at school or has active involvement in sports. Especially if the sport requires strength and endurance, working out at the gym becomes more of a necessity.
If you’re a regular at the gym or if you have the best home exercise equipment, there’s a way for you to get your progeny ready for the heavy lifting. Assisting your child during his/her first trip to the gym helps teach proper exercise techniques and injury prevention. Here’s how you can help:
Teach About Nutrition
A good workout all starts with good nutrition. Aside from the planned training program, it’s also a good idea to monitor your child’s diet. Having balanced meals that offer both protein and carbs helps fuel workouts.
One way you can get your child to stick to a nutritious diet is by letting him/her choose items that he/she enjoys that are healthy. Remove the habit of eating ready-to-go snacks because those are just empty carbs.
Start with the Right Amount of Weight
If your son/daughter doesn’t have any experience with weights yet, it’s a good idea to take it slow and begin with little or no weight at first. The first thing you should do is set the foundations for the program by teaching the proper movements.
Adding too much weight too soon can lead to overstress which won’t be good for the body. At this stage, 10 to 20 pounds will suffice.
Help Him Practice the Right Form
Before getting to the heavier weights, teach your teen the proper exercise techniques. Practice lifting forms that your son/daughter is comfortable with. Once the form has been practiced, you can consider having your teen lift heavier weights to develop muscle further. Having good form helps in the long run and can prevent injury.
Monitor Progress
Once the proper form has been instilled, add five to 10 pound weight increments gradually. As the body is still in development, there’s no real need to rush to lifting too much. Maximum strength isn’t the real focus here because your teen’s body will still develop once he/she reaches 18 years old. The weight lifting should instead have a higher number of reps, about 10 to 15.
Set Expectations
Set realistic goals for your teen to achieve. What does he/she want to achieve by working out? If they’re aiming too high, it’s up to you to keep those goals practical. Setting practical goals can help keep your teen motivated and continue with the workout. Developing huge muscles doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s always going to take hard work to reach that level.