I’ve been working with my buddy Dean for over a year now. Not only have his lifts increased, he has grown, and I have seen his confidence as well as his technique improve. He also has better awareness of his body as well a desire to continue to increase his strength and improve his lifts.
This upcoming Saturday Dean will be competing in his second full meet. In his last meet he squatted 82 lbs, benched 55 lbs and pulled 121 at a bodyweight of only 87 lbs. We’re expecting significant improvements this weekend.
Here is a picture of Dean and I at the end of his last heavy training session and a pic from when he competed in our Deadlifting for Doggies fundraiser around a year ago with his brother Brandt. You can see that he has grown at least 2 or 3 inches and filled in. The last is a video of him pulling 140. We switched him to sumo a few months ago and his form has improved dramatically.
Dean’s parents, Chris and Rebecca Harris, have been members of Orlando Barbell since we opened in 2005. They now have three kids and when Chris asked me if I would train Dean I was honored. Dean is home schooled so this gives him a good outlet and opportunity to compete.
I’ve always said that Powerlifting is a metaphor for life. If you can set and accomplish goals in Powerlifting then you can do the same in every aspect of life. This couldn’t be an more beneficial than when applied to a impressionable kid.
I’m guessing the misconception of lifting stunting growth started because shorter guys are often more interested in lifting at a young age to try to even the odds. I’m no exception to this. The fact is, lifting will only improved the health and growth of children as well as improving their self confidence at a crucial age for this. No studies have ever been shown that lifting weights stunts or even inhibits growth. In fact, the impact experienced from running and jumping is much greater than from lifting.
Here are some links reinforcing that weight training does not stunt growth:
A legitimate research study:
Two other articles supporting this:
Why do people believe that lifting weights stunts growth?
Does lifting weights stunt growth?
My products:
Save your shoulders with the Powerloop!
The M2 Method Raw Training Ebook
The M2 Equipped Training Ebook
The Effective Floor Based Home GHR
12 Weeks to a Bigger Bench EBook
