My son recently turned 11 and is keen to join me in some form of exercises. Is he too young for weight training?

Exercise physiologists have known for some time that applying inappropriate weight forces on the bones of youngsters can lead to certain skeletal problems, the most common of which is called premature epiphiseal closure, in which malformations occur at the ends of long bones (such as the femur and tibia in the legs).

 

So the answer to your question is that children should only work with light weights (a weight with which they can comfortably perform 20 reps) until their long bones have stopped growing (usually at adolescence, or about 3-4 years after puberty).

 

So let him join you in the gym or on the sporting field. Just make sure he understands the rules and regulations of the gym. It can be a dangerous place so make sure he is aware of the dangers and that he abides by the gym rules.

 

Gym is also a wonderful opportunity for you to spend some quality time with your son, which could well be his main motivation for joining you. In any case, let him come along and enjoy the moment.  It is also a great opportunity to instil in your son a respect for his body and give him an interest in his health, something that is sadly lacking in many young children today.