What's the youngest age person you'd feel safe training?

[Merrida]

Two scenarios:

One with a parent present (the least favorite scenario), and the other, you and the kid.

I know a lot of clubs have age restrictions (our's is 14), however we have riders which will permit younger children ONLY if accompanied by the parent or a certified personal trainer.

Children are rarely the ones who come to us for help or assistance, many times it's the parents' ideas.

But otu of curiosity, what is the age range where it starts to just be out of your comfort zone? Not that you would not do it, (I work with kids in our Day Camp that are quite young), but for one on one personal training, what would be the youngest age you'd feel safe and willing to work with?

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[.V.]

I trained my 9 year old with weights and for a kids triathlon. She did very well, actually got into powerlifting (more limited than the strength monsters with 1RM work of course). The most I let her get to that was a 5RM. She built enough strength to be able to hit homeruns in her softball league.

She lost interest in that for a couple of years and now at age 12, she is interested in getting back to the gym. Totally her own desire to train.

If the kid is truly interested on their own then go for it. If not and it's the parents pushing them to it...stay away.

[Merrida]

Yes but I wonder if this man feels comfortable training his daughter himself, that bond, that connection.

On the otherhand I am not training my own child. The youngest I've trained 1 on 1 is 14. Summer time means our camps open up and the younger crowds come in, as trainers we expand our repertoire. Not being the parent of the child, as aforementioned, puts me in a slightly different box.

My instinct is of course games and fun,....but I'll fess up to the whole DF world, working 1 on 1 and not in game fashion with a youngster makes me,....not feel particularly on the top of my game.

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[minime]

stick to bodyweight only training if you don't feel comfortable working with kids & weights. I know the subject is one with a lot of controversy surrounding it and I don't have enough information to say whether I agree or disagree with kids weight training.

Bodyweight exercises, pullups, pushups, burpees, jumping, running, etc. etc. Kids are springy and flexible, and it is natural for them to move, to run, jump etc. So then I would see no reason not to do this in a controlled environment if that is what the parents want.

Do you need special insurance as a PT to work with younger kids?

[ixoyc]

when I have a child (boy or girl), as soon as they become 11 years old there gonna start oylmpic weightlifting and become freaks of nature...they WILL snatch more than 3 times their bodyweight

[Merrida]

There's controversy over weight training under the age of (get this one) 18, because the bones are still growing. Of course, who really abides by that, eh?

It's not so much that I have questions about what I would do with kids because yes, I do train children.

I'm just thinking more like,...of the people here, where is your comfort level and why? When I was a little kid, my Dad had me lifting and I could calf raises holding my Dad (and it became my little freak show when I was younger and dating, piggy-backing my boyfriends as well),...so I've got massively muscular calves that have never retreated.

But he always had me doing stuff with weights, while Mom was too focused on restricting my food intake to make me skinny. When I'd get muscles my Dad would be proud of them, and they're freak my Mom out.

That's neither here nor there.

But generally speaking, let's say it is not your kid you're working with, but a total strangers that you're taking responsibility for. How young would you feel SAFE working with? And I'm not talking about kiddy games like jump rope and hop scotch.

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[ixoyc]

well i was jsut kinda making a joke...but as long as i knew what that the trainer wasn't a blundering idiot and knew what they were competent, i don't forsee any problems...

[Merrida]

Originally Posted by ixoyc

well i was jsut kinda making a joke...but as long as i knew what that the trainer wasn't a blundering idiot and knew what they were competent, i don't forsee any problems...

No worries, we all know that. Besides, without testosterone, they're not about to build up that young (unless they have a muscular condition or hormonal imbalance).

So all's cool.

I'm still just curious how young a kid most trainers would feel comfy working with,....(not what they'd do, not their routines or philosophies,...just the age).

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[westside24]

Originally Posted by Merrida

I'm still just curious how young a kid most trainers would feel comfy working with,....(not what they'd do, not their routines or philosophies,...just the age).

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Could you repeat the question please?

haha j/k again...

I dont think you can define one age that you would feel comfortable with.... some kids are mor mature that others... you might have to talk to them and base it on there maturity level...... talk to them, spend maybe one session with them, and decide, "am I working with an adult here, or a kid?"

Like I said some 11 year olds mentally out-mature some 25 yr. old I know!

[Merrida]

Originally Posted by westside24

Like I said some 11 year olds mentally out-mature some 25 yr. old I know!

Of that,.........I have no doubt.



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