Working out-problems

[panpan1997]

I am 14 years old and I wanna work out...I have a few muscles,but i'm kinda skinny (not very much-something like 122 pounds) so I want to exercise to put some muscles on me and be more attractive :) However,people I know tell me not to do this because my growth will stop and I will be short with muscles,which is unattractive.I'm kinda worried because I'm short for my age (5'7.5''-5'8'') and I don't want to be that height all my life.What am I supposed to do...Should I follow their advice?

[racer94]

i wouldnt be concerned too much about your height, your still young and have time to grow. What ever you do, if you want muscles and to stay toned, the best thing you can do is stay active. i ve never heard that working out stunts your growth but i do know that you are at the most critical time in puberty for early muscle development. Now is the time to stay extreemly active and workout. Your muscles are starting to get the testosterone and other thing needed for good muscle development. Im not saying you have to go to the gym and bust ass like rambo but keep consistantly working out. Protein is also a good way to build muscle when used correctly. But one thing is certain, if you have some good buds, go to the gym with them and do some weights and some good cardio. I always feel good and accomplished when i leave the gym. At first i dont really want to go but when i get there and start getting into it, it feels rewarding.

[OrKing]

I'm 17 and only 5'6ft mate; I've been doing weights for about five months now and although I've visibly packed on a bit of muscle it's far from making me look overly stocky or weird yet. Plus I'm pretty sure that weightlifting-growth thing is still crazy debatable, from what I've read it only effects certain peoples growth if they curl too much weight too soon which I doubt will be a problem since at first you probably only want to tone with light 5kg weights or something. I don't really care about my height anymore, my mums like 4'9ft and my dads only like 5'10ft so I'm just happy I've made it to this height. Plus my eldest brother is only 5'10ft, he's heavily muscled and he looks great.

If you really want to workout mate, I would go for it, but stick to the lighter weights or just do three sets of fifteen press ups when you get up and before you go to bed for a couple of months. It'll tone and strengthen your muscles without harming your growth... Good luck, whatever you decide bro. Oh, and read this if you want, I read it when I started working out.

http://www.teenbodybuilding.com/jay1.htm

[panpan1997]

Thank you very much...

[Wakesetter03]

If you're worried lay off the weights and just do cardio and body exercises (push ups, crunches, squats etc) and you will get the results you want.
If you're still interested in weights when you're 15 or so, maybe start hitting them then.
From what I know about those studies, it was only weight lifting with supplements that caused any issue.

[Cicero]

That whole stunt growth stuff is a myth. If your interested in getting major muscles, do the "Stronglifts 5x5" program. You will gain 26 lb of muscle within the first year. There is no strict diet either. In order to build muscle, you have to eat a surplus of 500 calories. Meaning eat 500 calories more than you burn. That's the only way to truly build muscle, then after doing the program for 5 months, do a 1 month cut so you remove all that fat you have gained. I cant convince you enough about this program, the only thing I can say, is if you want some major muscle, enough to impress any person you meet. This is the program for you. This gets you great size too, just google stronglifts and it should show up the website.

[NedStark]

1. Lifting weights doesn't stunt your growth.
Study: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/121/4/835.full

2. Do a program that focuses mainly on heavy compound movements -- yes, you should be lifting weights; no body weight exercises.
Starting Strength: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=998224&page=1
All Pro's: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=4195843&page=1
StrongLift's 5x5: http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-beginner-strength-training-program/
^ All three of these routines are great for beginners. Pick whichever one fits into your schedule the best.

3. Eat a lot. You can't put on muscle unless you're eating more than you burn. 80% of your diet should be "healthy" food choices, like nuts, chicken, fish, beef, vegetables, fruits, pasta, rice, etc. The other 20% can consist of foods you enjoy. I wouldn't suggest tracking/counting calories and macros when you're a teen.

4. No steroids/prohormones until you're at least 21. Oral steroids will fuck up your lipid profile and screw with your liver enzymes. Steroids in general at a young age will destroy your hormone production. Goodnight sweet endocrine system...

Shoot me a message if you have any more questions.