[quote]Attack4 wrote:
Wassup T-Nation. wondering what kind of exercises would be good for kids to start doing? My son is 6 years old and plays all the normal sports plus boxing and wrestling.
I am just making him do push ups, assisted pull ups and some dumbbell exercises. I just read a book about plyometrics for kids. What do you think about those?[/quote]
Children at that age don’t need exercise, they need activity, and variations of activities.
It sounds like you’re on a great track by introducing him to different sports. As he gets older, he’ll probably gravitate towards his favorite, but specializing in a single sport too early is one of the most common issues that leads to problems in the long run.
There’s nothing wrong with eventually learning bodyweight exercises (push-ups, pull-ups, gymnastics, etc.), but being so structured as to design a “workout routine” for a child that young is unnecessary and counter-productive.
Properly programmed strength training won’t stunt a child’s growth, but there’s much more to training a child than weight lifting.
Dave Gleason is one of the best youth fitness coaches around. Check out his videos and info to get some more ideas.
More important than a multi, I’d suggest making sure he develops a liking for, or at least an “appreciation” for, healthful foods (fruits, veggies, different proteins, etc.). Again, that’s setting him up to be a healthier and more effective athlete down the line.
I’m not saying to never let him have a soda or to throw out Halloween candy, but the sooner he understands some concept of “healthy eating”, the better.
