I recently stumbled across an interesting article written by Jodi Mohrmanm for Jacksonville’s News Channel 4 discussing the benefits of youth weight lifting. The article discusses a St. Louis gym called Lift for Life and mentions an article in a pediatrics journal.
I looked for the article and came upon a recent article discussing the need to change exercise regimes for overweight youth. The article, A New Direction in Psychology and Health: Resistance Exercise for Obese Children and Adolescents by Gill A. Ten Hoorab*, Guy Plasquia, Robert A.C. Ruiterb, Stef P.J. Kremersc, Geert M. Ruttenc, Annemie M.W.J. Scholsd & Gerjo Kokb in the 18, Aug, 2015 edition of Psychology & Health discuss the potential positive psychological benefits of overweight youth doing resistance exercises rather than aerobic exercises.
If the youth are focused into an area of success that creates a positive self image, they are likely to do it more often and successfully, leading to an healthier youth. The authors list getting over perceptions/misconceptions that weight training is not healthy for youth is a larger challenge. A 2009 article in Sports Health notes that children as young as 7 and 8 are old enough to begin a weight lifting regimen with proper supervision.
One example of the success of youth lifting is Lift for Life in St Louis. from the News 4 article (above) and their video it seems like a great program for at risk youth. The cost is only $500K per year to provide a healthy and safe place for youth. The organization operates on donations. I wonder if this model is sustainable and if it can be replicated beyond one gym in St Louis to other at risk youth across the country.
Not all of us can be like Armenia’s Simon Martirosyan who lifted 182kg (401 lb) see above) for the Snatch & Total Youth World Record, but it inspires the youth to lift to stay healthy. If you start lifting at a young age the health benefits last a lifetime.
About me: Sean McClure is a former Senior Advisor at the White House. Sean is currently the Suspension and Debarment Advisor to the Department of the Treasury and with over 15 years of experience working at the White House, Department of the Treasury, USAID, and Department of State. He has traveled extensively to 35 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.
