Okay, so I'm thinking to start weight lifting and start exercising (yeah, I don't have a gym membership, but I have a treadmill, a Gold's Gym Bench and I can afford some time at school fitness room if necessary), but am I old enough to lift?

How old is old enough to lift?

Just a hint, if you're asking whether you're old enough to do something, you should tell us what your age is .

Personally I don't think people should weight lift until they're fully grown. I don't really have any scientific evidence to support this, but I'd hate it if my gym was overrun with kids .

Oops; I'm 14.

But I'm fat and tall.

Taller then average, fatter then average.


Yep yep. I'm 6'1 and a half 280 lbs :[.

Why not just start out with some cardio? You're still pretty young. I'd probably wait until a couple of years into high school and then only in conjunction with some sort of sports program like football. Without that kind of guidance I doubt that most high school kids would be able to get decent results.

From your stats it looks like you're pretty overweight

swim

Kids can start lifting weights at around 8 years of age. However, they should not be lifting heavy weights, nothing more than something they can do 15 reps with. They shouldn't go to failure, and they shouldn't do isolation exercises. They should also be carefully supervised by an adult. These are obviously very different rules to the average lifter, but still important. Also, the training should be kept fun. You don't tell a kid to do 3 sets of 15 reps on the shoulder press, with 45 seconds rest inbetween, you let them have a go, learn the moves and enjoy themselves.

Some people will jump up and down and say I'm advocating lifting way too early. However, under supervision, lifting weights, the correct way, it much safer for kids than running head first into other kids, fighting other kids, or jumping off high places. This doesn't mean kids shouldn't play other sports, but the alleged growth plate injuries that are thought to occur due to weightlifting are much more likely to occur from non-weightlifting sports.

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As for you (OP), specifically, I think it would be good to start improving your diet for the next 2-3 weeks, and if you're feeling good, start adding in some low-impact cardio (walking, swimming, climbing stairs, bike riding). Weights are very good, and will come in down the track, but I think it would be best to start making some lifestyle changes first. What do you eat/drink in a day currently?

quote HBK619

Kids can start lifting weights at around 8 years of age. However, they should not be lifting heavy weights, nothing more than something they can do 15 reps with. They shouldn't go to failure, and they shouldn't do isolation exercises. They should also be carefully supervised by an adult. These are obviously very different rules to the average lifter, but still important. Also, the training should be kept fun. You don't tell a kid to do 3 sets of 15 reps on the shoulder press, with 45 seconds rest inbetween, you let them have a go, learn the moves and enjoy themselves.

Some people will jump up and down and say I'm advocating lifting way too early. However, under supervision, lifting weights, the correct way, it much safer for kids than running head first into other kids, fighting other kids, or jumping off high places. This doesn't mean kids shouldn't play other sports, but the alleged growth plate injuries that are thought to occur due to weightlifting are much more likely to occur from non-weightlifting sports.

----

As for you (OP), specifically, I think it would be good to start improving your diet for the next 2-3 weeks, and if you're feeling good, start adding in some low-impact cardio (walking, swimming, climbing stairs, bike riding). Weights are very good, and will come in down the track, but I think it would be best to start making some lifestyle changes first. What do you eat/drink in a day currently?

I'm fat; I eat junk.

But I'm slowly quitting the soda and moving to water (strictly, nothing else).

And my diet is an asian type of diet, I eat Tofu, rice (refined white, I know) and stuff like that.

Not to mention junk. So, I do have a treadmill, but right now, I have no money to buy a gym membership; it's just not the right time for it. So I have no pool. But since walking was one of them; how fast should it be HBK? 2-3 miles? 3-4? 4-5? I can only ever go up to 6. :[.

quote HBK619

Kids can start lifting weights at around 8 years of age. However, they should not be lifting heavy weights, nothing more than something they can do 15 reps with. They shouldn't go to failure, and they shouldn't do isolation exercises. They should also be carefully supervised by an adult. These are obviously very different rules to the average lifter, but still important. Also, the training should be kept fun. You don't tell a kid to do 3 sets of 15 reps on the shoulder press, with 45 seconds rest inbetween, you let them have a go, learn the moves and enjoy themselves.

Some people will jump up and down and say I'm advocating lifting way too early. However, under supervision, lifting weights, the correct way, it much safer for kids than running head first into other kids, fighting other kids, or jumping off high places. This doesn't mean kids shouldn't play other sports, but the alleged growth plate injuries that are thought to occur due to weightlifting are much more likely to occur from non-weightlifting sports.

----

As for you (OP), specifically, I think it would be good to start improving your diet for the next 2-3 weeks, and if you're feeling good, start adding in some low-impact cardio (walking, swimming, climbing stairs, bike riding). Weights are very good, and will come in down the track, but I think it would be best to start making some lifestyle changes first. What do you eat/drink in a day currently?

Actually, I believe that you shouldn't even think of lifting until you are 11. When you are 8, your bones are still developing and shouldn't be put under that much stress. Maybe they can play around with weights at that age to get a feel for the,, but not actually do reps or sets. So I guess I agree with you to some extent, but think they should wait until about the age of 11 (when they are starting puberty).

It's much better if you list every single thing you eat and drink in a day. This will keep you much more accountable and allow for future comparisons and more accurate advice.

Gradually making some healthy substitutions is good, water instead of soda, less rice, brown rice if you can. Chicken, fish, grass fed beef would all be good replacements for tofu too. Throwing in some vegetables and fruit, fibre and healthy fat (nuts, fish) are all important. Don't try and halve your energy intake overnight, or cut out all your previous junk at once, that will lead to a quick failure and disapointment. Slowly making small changes, getting used to them, then continuing to make more as you progress is key.

As for walking, today, just walk for 5 minutes. Don't stress the distance and speed too much, although walking outside is much better than on a treadmill (undulating terrain, vitamin D from the sun, more muscle activation, more strenuous etc). Tomorrow, walk for 6 minutes. The next day, 7 minutes. Keep continuing this until you can walk for 30 minutes at a good pace. If it gets too easy, walk faster, or pick some hills to walk up. Try to also incorporate more physical activity in your everyday activities (walking home instead of catching the bus, getting off a few stops early and walking, taking the stairs instead of the lift etc.)


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quote Shadow of Truth

quote HBK619

Kids can start lifting weights at around 8 years of age. However, they should not be lifting heavy weights, nothing more than something they can do 15 reps with. They shouldn't go to failure, and they shouldn't do isolation exercises. They should also be carefully supervised by an adult. These are obviously very different rules to the average lifter, but still important. Also, the training should be kept fun. You don't tell a kid to do 3 sets of 15 reps on the shoulder press, with 45 seconds rest inbetween, you let them have a go, learn the moves and enjoy themselves.

Some people will jump up and down and say I'm advocating lifting way too early. However, under supervision, lifting weights, the correct way, it much safer for kids than running head first into other kids, fighting other kids, or jumping off high places. This doesn't mean kids shouldn't play other sports, but the alleged growth plate injuries that are thought to occur due to weightlifting are much more likely to occur from non-weightlifting sports.

----

As for you (OP), specifically, I think it would be good to start improving your diet for the next 2-3 weeks, and if you're feeling good, start adding in some low-impact cardio (walking, swimming, climbing stairs, bike riding). Weights are very good, and will come in down the track, but I think it would be best to start making some lifestyle changes first. What do you eat/drink in a day currently?

Actually, I believe that you shouldn't even think of lifting until you are 11. When you are 8, your bones are still developing and shouldn't be put under that much stress. Maybe they can play around with weights at that age to get a feel for the,, but not actually do reps or sets. So I guess I agree with you to some extent, but think they should wait until about the age of 11 (when they are starting puberty).

quote HBK619

It's much better if you list every single thing you eat and drink in a day. This will keep you much more accountable and allow for future comparisons and more accurate advice.

Gradually making some healthy substitutions is good, water instead of soda, less rice, brown rice if you can. Chicken, fish, grass fed beef would all be good replacements for tofu too. Throwing in some vegetables and fruit, fibre and healthy fat (nuts, fish) are all important. Don't try and halve your energy intake overnight, or cut out all your previous junk at once, that will lead to a quick failure and disapointment. Slowly making small changes, getting used to them, then continuing to make more as you progress is key.

As for walking, today, just walk for 5 minutes. Don't stress the distance and speed too much, although walking outside is much better than on a treadmill (undulating terrain, vitamin D from the sun, more muscle activation, more strenuous etc). Tomorrow, walk for 6 minutes. The next day, 7 minutes. Keep continuing this until you can walk for 30 minutes at a good pace. If it gets too easy, walk faster, or pick some hills to walk up. Try to also incorporate more physical activity in your everyday activities (walking home instead of catching the bus, getting off a few stops early and walking, taking the stairs instead of the lift etc.)


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quote Shadow of Truth

quote HBK619

Kids can start lifting weights at around 8 years of age. However, they should not be lifting heavy weights, nothing more than something they can do 15 reps with. They shouldn't go to failure, and they shouldn't do isolation exercises. They should also be carefully supervised by an adult. These are obviously very different rules to the average lifter, but still important. Also, the training should be kept fun. You don't tell a kid to do 3 sets of 15 reps on the shoulder press, with 45 seconds rest inbetween, you let them have a go, learn the moves and enjoy themselves.

Some people will jump up and down and say I'm advocating lifting way too early. However, under supervision, lifting weights, the correct way, it much safer for kids than running head first into other kids, fighting other kids, or jumping off high places. This doesn't mean kids shouldn't play other sports, but the alleged growth plate injuries that are thought to occur due to weightlifting are much more likely to occur from non-weightlifting sports.

----

As for you (OP), specifically, I think it would be good to start improving your diet for the next 2-3 weeks, and if you're feeling good, start adding in some low-impact cardio (walking, swimming, climbing stairs, bike riding). Weights are very good, and will come in down the track, but I think it would be best to start making some lifestyle changes first. What do you eat/drink in a day currently?

Actually, I believe that you shouldn't even think of lifting until you are 11. When you are 8, your bones are still developing and shouldn't be put under that much stress. Maybe they can play around with weights at that age to get a feel for the,, but not actually do reps or sets. So I guess I agree with you to some extent, but think they should wait until about the age of 11 (when they are starting puberty).

But; I can't walk home or to school. I live about 10 minute drive? That would be about a 60 minute walk.

But does walking the dog count? I walk him everyday for like 30 mins.

Don't keep saying "I can't".

You can walk to school, if you get up earlier. You can run daily without a gym membership because the world is your running machine. You can swim without owning a pool if you find a public swimming baths (I don't know what you call them in the states). Walk the dog for 2 hours per day instead of 30 minutes, and walk through challenging environments like forests or fields so that you work yourself a lot harder.

And I wouldn't suggest lifting weights until 16+, but cardio is fine at any age.

Isn't cardio better for loosing weight anyway?

quote Devastate

Isn't cardio better for loosing weight anyway?

The guy did say he was "fat", so losing some weight would be beneficial, don't you think?

I'm the same age as you, Anton, I'm 5'7 and, last time I checked, 119 pounds. I lift dumbbells every few days, try out some exercises. I also run every second day for a few miles. I used to be a tad chubby, but I've shed most of the weight and seriously, I have never felt better.


Motivate yourself.

quote Master Tenku

Don't keep saying "I can't".

You can walk to school, if you get up earlier. You can run daily without a gym membership because the world is your running machine. You can swim without owning a pool if you find a public swimming baths (I don't know what you call them in the states). Walk the dog for 2 hours per day instead of 30 minutes, and walk through challenging environments like forests or fields so that you work yourself a lot harder.

And I wouldn't suggest lifting weights until 16+, but cardio is fine at any age.

That's the exact thing that makes me quit.

Assholes that think they are all that.

I mean I do beat every freshman football player in arm wrestling even though I'm fat..