My 12 yr old son

[Bossman]

I started lifting around that age. I had no guidance, had horrible form, but made gains in spite of it.

At that age you can't lift the kind of weight that will cause damage IMO. If your 12 yr old was squatting 405 I would be concerned. But Im sure that is not the case. Stress proper form above all else. Don't let him get sloppy just to put up a weight that he isnt ready for.

I started my son lifting at 12, just the basics. He has now gotten much more serious at 16 yrs old and has developed quite a good base. He's 5'9" and weighed 193 first thing out of bed this morning. He started competing in powerlifting this past year and has deadlifted 465, squated 335 and benched 245. It has done a lot for his self confidence, kept him at the gym rather then on the streets, and he's much more conscious of his diet, sleep and general health.

I want to ask ya'lls advice on something that is near and dear to my heart and that's my 12 yr old son. He's always been lean and active, but in the last yr(2) or so he's not grown any taller but has gotten a little pudgy, and this has had quite an effect on his self confidence.

As I've said he stays active, running, jumping on the trampoline for hours, wrestling w/ his 15 yr old brother....he's not lazy. As a matter of fact his work ethic in the gym puts his 15 yr old bro. to shame. I keep telling him to keep at it, workout hard, eat right and when he hits his growth spirt he'll see a lot of difference.

He's agreed to listen to me not just as his father but as his trainer as well. I don't want to let him down. I'm developing a routine that revolves around the big compound movements that work the whole body. The smaller individual muscles are not of concern as they will be worked in the compound movements. I'm sticking to DEADLIFTS, MILITARY PRESS, BENCH-PRESS, SQUATS, ROWS, CHIN-UPS.

I'm thinking it's best to train 3-4 days a week and to always do cardio right after lifting to maximize fat burning. I've thought about doing total body workouts 3x week or split upper-lower; or chest, shoulders-day 1(Mon); Back day 2(Wed); Legs-day 3(Fri).

I'm just not sure how much of a difference his age and the point he's at in his growth plays in with what type of plan to put him on. I know this forum is full of knowledgeable members and I would greatly appreciate your input.

[Chuck_R]

I started lifting around that age. I had no guidance, had horrible form, but made gains in spite of it.

At that age you can't lift the kind of weight that will cause damage IMO. If your 12 yr old was squatting 405 I would be concerned. But Im sure that is not the case. Stress proper form above all else. Don't let him get sloppy just to put up a weight that he isnt ready for.

I started my son lifting at 12, just the basics. He has now gotten much more serious at 16 yrs old and has developed quite a good base. He's 5'9" and weighed 193 first thing out of bed this morning. He started competing in powerlifting this past year and has deadlifted 465, squated 335 and benched 245. It has done a lot for his self confidence, kept him at the gym rather then on the streets, and he's much more conscious of his diet, sleep and general health.

That's quite impressive!

Thanks for the replies..Muscle Science I agree. He will be under my constant supervision when he's lifting and we're constantly discussing proper form. He knows when something doesn't feel right and he immediately backs off. The weights that he's lifting isn't know where near what I would consider his max and we try to stay around 15 reps right now.

As he grows and becomes stronger we will address issues, concerns and his desires pertaining to lifting as need be.

Again thanks for responses and concerns guys.