Teenage Exercise

There's all this talk of men's health and men's fitness. But what about teenage fitness or teenage health?
Is it safe to lift weights in my teenage years? Will to much hard exercise stunt my growth? And what about sporting supplements? Are they suitable for me to use?

I've built up all the know how over the years on how to lift weights, exercise safely and use the correct nutrition. Magazines such as Men's health bombard you with how often and how intensely you should exercise. The magazine is geared around Men's Health not Teenage health. how are you supposed to know your body's limits in your early teenage years? The workouts and nutrition they often advise are not designed to suit a growing body.


Advice


So! Here's some helpful advice that worked for me and many others. If you want to train your body in the best possible way to achieve the greatest possible effects at a teenage age.

• Know you body's limits - Lifting lots of heavy weights at a young teenage age is ill advised, some people are more developed than others and therefore more suited to lifting weights.


• However it is a myth that lifting heavy weights at a young age can stunt growth. Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone and Arnold Schwartzenegger started lifting weights in their early teens and all have grown over 6ft and become professionals in their respective sports. Although you shouldn't lift anything you can't do for more than 5 reps (if you are under 18)so to avoid injury.


• Supplements such as protein shakes and fat loss drinks can alter your metabolism. At a young age you should stick to real foods in order to recover from exercise. Body fat is important to have at a young age it is a necessary source of energy. A high metabolism is natural in a growing body, any more encouragement to burn fat could result in an unhealthy balance.


• Keep it simple - compound exercises are best as they recruit many muscle groups in one movement. These are exercises like squats, deadlifts, press ups and pull ups. This will help you build a balanced body


• Rest days are just as important as workout days. They allow your muscles to recover and grow in order to be stronger the next time you train them.