Is it weird for a 13 year old to go to a gym? Please look at details?

Question

i'm 13 and really (too) thin for my age...and i want to gain some muscle so i don't seem so weak...but is it weird for a 13 year old to go a gym?

if it is weird ... can you offer me some form of work out routine that doesn't require equipment...just pure exercise

Answer 1

hmm not too weird... ideally it is not advised because your body has not correctly formed yet so you have to be very careful how you work out... you absolutely cannot do any heavy lifting or stress your body too much... you can go to the gym, work on cardio, swim, do some lighter lifting but it is strongly discouraged to try and lift a lot of weight at your age... I personally started going at 13... I went with a friend. I did lighter loads and more reps and cardio and such, and he tried to gain a lot of muscle fast with huge weights... he ended up tearing some muscle near the heart and was never able to lift again... I mean for about 3 months he couldn't even pick up his backpack... so yeah you can go exercise but don't do anything stupid...

Answer 2

im 13 and i have th exact same problem. I work out and i dont think its weird. Just be careful

Answer 3

nah man not wierd i went first time when iwas 13 i just didnt  like it then my grandpa bought me weights and gave me his old workout machine which was cool u can go it cost money but no it's not wierd some gyms require an adult with u though unles ur 16 or 18 idk some dont the gym i went to didnt u want some home exercises ill give u the 4 best ones to do Push ups incline decline flat

Pull ups palm out palm in wide hands close hands

dips like on a chair go low

squats use 1 leg balance on the wall and go as low as u can

those exercises wil get u built

just make sure u eat more like 3000cals a day consisting of good foods lots 1-1.5g protein per lb u weigh and lots of water

Answer 4

At 13 you are too young for weight lifting.  Packing on muscle at your age can halt your growth.  Since you are too thin, then it doesn't sound like aerobics is an issue.  If you want to go to the gym then do the aerobic equipment and body weight exercises.  Push-ups, Pull-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges.  Pick up a 10 lb weight and do lots of reps.  High volume, low weight will tone, not build your muscles.

I'll recommend you two books:

Body for Life by Bill Phillips, will teach you how to exercise and will help you add muscle mass when you are old enough.

Ultra-Metabolism by Dr. Mark Hyman will teach you what to eat and why.  Your young enough and not over weight so you should truly benefit from the information to help you stay healthy.

Answer 5

No, not at all. it just shows that you care about your health and well being.  Just be careful not to over do it and hurt yourself. Maybe consult one of the gym's trainers, so you know you're doing exercises tailored to you.

Answer 6

Why would it be weird? Everyone needs exercise. I started going when I was 13.  

Answer 7

O.K. kid, forget anything you've read before this.  I'm a certified Sports Conditioning Specialist and Youth Fitness Trainer.  The answer to your quesion is no, all 13 year olds should be working out.  It is no longer thought that lifting weights stunts your growth, it is actually proven that it helps the release of HGH, whichi helps you grow.  As a YFT, i've trained 6 year olds with weights, although it must be done properly, it can be very beneficial.  Here are a few pointers for you:

Do between 12-15 reps, at 16 you can go between 8-12 reps

Try to change up your routine every 2 weeks if you can.

Only train one body part a day

Never train more then an hour (you sound like a ectomorph, they can't train as long as normal built people)

Workout with a partner