Is It Possible to get a 10yr Old to Build Muscle?

[M.D. Holloway]

Concerning youth football, some of the coaches on the other football teams will run these kids ragged - push-ups, sit-ups, running running running. Our Son's coaches have been teaching the game and the techniques. His coaches must be doing something right because they win.

Talking to kids dads on other teams they are not into all the working out. It got me thinking that it requires testosterone to build muscle. A 10yr old just doesn't have much of that. No matter how you run them they will only be able to put out so much. You may be able to help with their wind a little but I think at this age they are victims of their own genetics.

Am I off base here?

[nota]

they are still growing
so adding muscle is not a good idea
nor is limiting weight or try to lose weight at that age

[M.D. Holloway]

Our Son loves to be active. He loves "working out". He has messed around a little with weights but mostly does other things like push-ups, sit-ips, berpies, and anything else. He wants a weight bench in the worst way. I think he might be a little young.

[HardDrive]

They should be focusing on learning the game.

[M.D. Holloway]

He will play sandlot smashmouth after school everyday even before practice. Its funny to watch. He tries to tell the other kids on his team to run various plays and what to do but most of the kids don't play organized ball so they just run straight out about 10 yds and scream for the ball.

He has been biten by the Baseball bug now (after watch the World Series) so now he is talking Baseball for the spring but wants to work-out over the winter to be in shape.

If he keeps this work ethic going through HS maybe just maybe he will have a slim shot at college ball which is his dream (not mine - I want him to be a diesel mechanic!)

[masraum]

I'd think it is best for him to just be as active as possible which it sounds like he is. I just don't get the kids these days that never leave the house or get off of games/internet/phone.

[McLovin]

Remember Little Hercules? He was famous on the internet 10 or so years ago.

I think this is around 11 years old or so:



A different kid, 5 years old. LOL.



So yeah, your boys looking a little soft! Better hit the gym!

[kmhemi]

I think you are on the right track. With out Testosterone their gains will be minimal at that age. It would be much better for the kids to have them run more to build endurance and focus on playing the game. I think the kids would have more fun that way too. Thats whats its all about in the first place.

[kmhemi]

Looks like Little Herc has some good genetics behind him. Bet his dad is huge..

[johnnywishbone]

"Harley Davidson-The best way to turn gasoline into noise with out all that troublesome horsepower."

MOTORCYCLES LIKE THE BMW AND HD REQIURE TIME IN THE SADDLE TO DEVELOP
A RELATIONSHIP. I'VE HAD A FEW OF BOTH. ALSO RACED NORTON, KAWASAKI, AND
CZ. THE BOXER TWINS ARE THE FINEST MOTORCYCLES IN THE WORLD. NOT THE BEST, NOT THE FASTEST. THE FINEST. AS FAR AS THE HARLEYS, IF I HAVE TO EXPLAIN, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND. JP

[tabs]

Aren't they starting that kid on steroids a bit early?


And I do hope you are talking about the muscle between your kids ears Lubby?

[jluetjen]

This kid seems to be suffering from what my wife calls "testosterone poisoning". I could picture these kids lives being messed up in numerous ways by artificially forcing them to bulk-up like this. Both emotionally and physically.

[kmhemi]

Tabs is probably right on this one. I would hate to think parents would give their kids roids. I would think Test injections at that age might reduce his natural test production as he gets older. I'm probably wrong but if you were "on cycle" going into puberty I would think your natrural levels would be way off. It might not ever be right. He might have to have hormone replacement therapy at a younger age than a Non user would expect to.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

Concerning youth football, some of the coaches on the other football teams will run these kids ragged - push-ups, sit-ups, running running running. Our Son's coaches have been teaching the game and the techniques. His coaches must be doing something right because they win.

Talking to kids dads on other teams they are not into all the working out. It got me thinking that it requires testosterone to build muscle. A 10yr old just doesn't have much of that. No matter how you run them they will only be able to put out so much. You may be able to help with their wind a little but I think at this age they are victims of their own genetics.

Am I off base here?

No!

of course, 10 year olds build muscle all the time -- it's called growing up

also, all humans 'have' testosterone (and other androgens) - even women & girls

higher androgen loads WILL lead to putting on muscle tissue faster and to "bulkier" muscles - interestingly, such muscle tissue appears to not be as strong per unit volume, suggesting natural selection for display purposes

BUT - if they are being 'run ragged' "all the time" then something is seriously wrong and those kids are having both their current health and their development endangered.

KEEP YOUR KID AWAY FROM THOSE COACHES.

You might want to find some info or an expert on child development & athletics.

This attitude is not uncommon in Texas & it the rest of the South, but it too much -- if you are describing it accurately.

[Zef]

Originally Posted by kmhemi

I think you are on the right track. With out Testosterone their gains will be minimal at that age. It would be much better for the kids to have them run more to build endurance and focus on playing the game. I think the kids would have more fun that way too. Thats whats its all about in the first place.

Endurance is built with time.....

[madmmac]

Too young for weights. The ligaments and tendons are just not ready at that age. Light weights-dumbells at 10 or so pounds max are OK.

14 to 16 is about the right time to start any sort of lifting.

At this age genetics are big. I'm sure there are kids on the team that are way more physically developed than others. The kids consider them monsters. Those kids just matured earlier. They will be shaving in junior high. They probably will reach their adult height as a freshman. All normal.

I've coached kids that were 6 foot when they were 13. At 17, they are still 6 foot. It's just the way it is. They were all stars and did not have to work hard when they were way ahead of everyone, now they have to put in the work. It all comes around.

At this age pushups I think are the single best exercise a kid can do. You use your own weight and you can drop down anywhere and do them. Running is great also.

Having fun, staying active, trying different sports is the best way to learn and be fit at this age.

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by RWebb

No!

of course, 10 year olds build muscle all the time -- it's called growing up

also, all humans 'have' testosterone (and other androgens) - even women & girls

higher androgen loads WILL lead to putting on muscle tissue faster and to "bulkier" muscles - interestingly, such muscle tissue appears to not be as strong per unit volume, suggesting natural selection for display purposes

BUT - if they are being 'run ragged' "all the time" then something is seriously wrong and those kids are having both their current health and their development endangered.

KEEP YOUR KID AWAY FROM THOSE COACHES.

You might want to find some info or an expert on child development & athletics.

This attitude is not uncommon in Texas & it the rest of the South, but it too much -- if you are describing it accurately.

agree but looking at those kids in the pics I think it is a combo of low body fat and some additional testostorone - I relize they do grow but to put on any sort of mass or even increase strength? I just do not think it is really possable at a young age.

[DonDavis]

He's plenty old enough to do tons of pushups, pullups and jumping jacks. Start very slow and teach proper form. My son is 10 and we lift weights together. Mind you, it was his asking me to show him how. He uses very low weight and is just learning the motions. The bench press he does is probably 15lbs. Curling 10lbs. Very easy to do and as I said, learning proper form and respect of weight. And he only lifts with me 3-4 times per month. I try and have him do pushups daily but his interest is only beginning. I don't push him to do it but if he asks, I'll help him do it safely.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by lubemaster77

its funny to watch. ...most of the kids ...just run straight out about 10 yds and scream for the ball.

Cute

[vash]

is it an old wives tale, that you will stunt his/her growth? my friend lifted when he was very young. i just pedaled, and swam.. in high school he stopped growing. tiny guy. coincidence?