Weight training for 10 year old. For Hockey?

Question

I have a 10 year old, that is just starting in Hockey. He needs to work out his legs some, to build them up. Anyone have ideas on this? What type of work outs should he be doing at his age? To young to lift weights or do leg presses? I would love to hear from other parents who kids are starting hockey and how to better improve his body for this.

Answer 1

legs- focus on legs...upper body doesn't need to be big yet

Answer 2

NO WEIGHTS!!!! weight training in a child that young can damage the growth plated in the bones and damage his chances of ever growing normally, let alone playing hockey.

If you want him to be a strong skater, get him on the ice. Make sure he stretches well before, and cools down after to avoid pain and muscle damage.

good luck.

Answer 3

Normally, I would not recommend lifting or leg presses for pre-teens and younger, as it would have the possibility of ruining their bone structure. (One of the reasons why my friend's back is crooked to the left.)

If your son/daughter takes hockey seriously, though, then try going out for gentle jogs or hiking. Remember to bring appropriate equipment and comfortable shoes.

Answer 4

Ya just skating.  Correct me if I am wrong someone but I do believe weight lifting at that age, at that stage of pyhsical development is a very bad idea.

Answer 5

At that age a kid only needs to play.  Weight training that young is just dangerous and pointless.  Let the kid hit puberty before you worry about that.  He doesn't "need" to build anything at that age.  The best thing for him is too learn skating basics.  I wish I could have learned how to skate that early in life.  I didn't start skating until 19 years old, and my "muscles" were fine way before that.  Remember, a 10 year old should be playing for fun, and if he loves the sport, then practice the sport.  Weight training shouldn't start until at least high school.

Answer 6

Working out the legs using his own body weight is fine and will not hurt is natural growth. Best exercises for a 10 year old to build leg strength:

1) ride bike outdoors

2) run up and down steep hills

3) lunges

4) skate

5) stair climbing

Answer 7

No weights yet! Doing weights before 14 or 15 can stunt his growth in terms of height. I would recommend that he does a lot of aerobic stuff. For legs, squats are a good idea and nothing beats running a lot and activities like climbing mountains and trees to build strong legs at that age.

Answer 8

skate skate skate skate skate.

you dont build muscle until puberty so weight training wont help, and could harm muscle fibers and bone structure.  

if you want to make him a stronger skater, get him on the ice.  There are plenty of camps or clinics you can enroll him in including power skating clinics that will teach them how to skate better.  Get your son on the ice 3+ times a week.

Answer 9

Kids at 10 are too young to do muscle building workouts. You can have him do light weights to work on the tone of the existing muscle. But that won't help as much as just having him play and skate.

Its way to early to start thinking about building up his body for sports.

Answer 10

The best thing he can do is wall sits.  He's too young for weight lifting (could stunt his growth).  My 11-yr-old does a lot of wall sits and stairs.  And of course skating, ice and roller-blading.