Well, I lift for myself (I actually shut myself from the world when I lift, I'm in "the zone" and am really enjoying myself).

I'm sure most of the guys and gals here also lift for themselves and don't care what others think.

*** BUT! ***

The average 13-19 year doesn't think like that. I'm in my mid 30's and I also volunteer with teenagers and can tell you that to that age group in general the opinion of their peers is everything. Never mind peer pressure, simple peer opinion is enough to make most teens do the stupidest things. And of course they all deny it.

Is that why some use gear? Of course... Should they do it? Well duh.

Don't forget folks that when we compare teens to "adults", we are comparing apples to oranges. What is an obvious danger to us adults (wether it's playing with weapons, driving their car like a maniac or using gear) is merely trivial to them.

Remember when you were a teen? You were invincible! You laughed a the face of death because "it's not going to happen to me".

Red