My son who is 14 is wanting to get started competing in bodybuilding. Any thoughts on teens and supplements as well as training. i have been lifting for about 3 yrs but teens have different needs as well as perhaps excersices.
14 is not too early to get started. It’s great that he has a dad like you to point him in the right direction so he doesn’t get off on the wrong foot like most of us did.
I think Shugart wrote an article about this if you look through the archives. I would recommend starting him off with unilateral bodyweight exercises and then moving him on to the basic big compound movements (bench, squat, deads, cleans, push press, pullups/chins, rows, etc.) after he has mastered the bodyweight exercises.
Just have him stick to the basics and feed him lots of good food – he won’t need any sups until he has built a good base, which in all liklihood means after he gets out of his teen years (he’s a veritable T-factory all by himself already). Hope that helps. Out.
The only supplement I’d even consider at that age is a protein powder. Lifting should be done at higher rep ranges, and stick with the basics. Make him learn good form first and foremost, before doing any real progression in weight.
Hey I’m the only Underdog around here. As far as competing at 14 check out local Catholic organizations there is a lot of competition for young boys around there.But seriously folks the only thing your son should be competing for, at his age are good grades in school and a occasional girl in his class.
I train several teenage athletes. From my experience, they can do the same exercises as anyone else. The first thing to emphasize though, is proper technique. Don’t be as concerned with the amount of weight lifted as with proper form. As far as how hard to push him, my usual theory (for males) is that once they start shaving, their body is naturally producing hormones and you can push them harder. In general, you can push him to failure on bodyweight exercises such as pushups and chinups, but i would not train him to failure on any weight exercises. As far as supplementation goes, remember, a supplement is something that is added to an already sound nutrition and training program. Make sure he is eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, clean carbs (oatmeal, sweet potatos, rice, etc.), and getting plenty of protein, before you worry about supplements. Hope this helps.
By the time your son hits freshman year in high school (at 14, he might be there now), he should be ready to lift weights just like an adult. Make sure he has form down pat, and don’t train him to failure for the first month. After that, hook him up with as many compound exercises as possible. Remember, he should be focused on getting stronger before getting bigger, otherwise he’ll end up bulky and weak, and have to start training for strength eventually anyway. Make sure he’s eating to grow, and as always, creatine is a safe supplement for anyone.