West Morris YMCA teaches teens to train safely

Date: 06-12-2006 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamUnited States

Is your child getting enough exercise through organized sports, free play or time at the gym? Today's children are increasingly out of shape and exercise habits learned now may set the course for their levels of fitness into adulthood. Teaching them how to work out properly at a young age can put adolescents on a lifetime path of fitness and wellness.

While working out, teens often use poor form and lift weights heavier than they should. Heavy lifting puts strain on children's joints, tendons and bone growth plates. Therefore, bodybuilding and powerlifting, which build large muscle mass, are not recommended for youths.

Strength training, which is not to be confused with powerlifting, is designed to increase muscle strength and endurance. Good technique and the proper amount of resistance can help teens avoid growth plate injuries. (Growth plates are located on the long bones of children and young people. These plates are areas of growing tissue near the end of the bones.) With proper training and supervision, strength training exercises provide many benefits to young people, including. Such training:

• Increases muscular strength and endurance.

• Protects muscles and joints from injury.

• Helps improve athletic performance.

• Improves pulmonary and cardiovascular function.

• Improves body composition (muscle to fat ratio).

• Builds stronger bones.

• Lowers blood cholesterol levels.

Youth strength training programs are not the same as adult workouts. In order to expose young people to a healthy lifestyle, Ismael Gonzales, fitness director of the West Morris Area YMCA developed the Youth Fitness and Conditioning Program. It was launched in September for 12- and 13-year-olds, but parents have begun signing up their 14- and 15-year-olds so they to can learn proper form and gym safety.

"The kids are taught the importance of exercise and how to use various pieces of cardio and strength equipment to get a full body workout,"Gonzales says. "The program has been extremely successful to this point."

The best way to begin a fitness program is to understand basic fitness principles. Proper exercise form, sequence and duration are important elements that are explained in the program.

The training consists of three one-hour segments with youth trainers and is required for all children ages 12 and 13 who want to use the weight and cardiovascular equipment. Parents are required to attend the first session with their child to get an understanding of the program.

Upon completion of training, youth members receive a certificate of completion. Twelve- and 13-year-olds are then permitted to use the cardio room and track area on their own, and 14- and 15-year-olds have access to specific machines in the adult strength training center.

For information about the West Morris Y's Youth Fitness and Conditioning Program, call Gonzalez at (973) 366-1120, ext. 27. There is no charge to members for this program.