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Youth Weight Training

# I have a question for you. I am a 14 year old male and I…

The question

I have a question for you. I am a 14 year old male and I would like to know if I am mature enough to the strength and power program. If not, what can I do besides the youth programs? In case you need to know, I am 5'8 and I weigh 180 pounds. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME\!

Dan's answer

Dan Wirth, MA, CSCS

Hello, You sound like you are a pretty good-sized guy. But, the indicator of whether or not you should do a program is if you actually know how to lift correctly. And, that you are mature enough mentally to not try to max out or use a weight that is too heavy\! To be on the safe side, try out the General Fitness programs. By the time you get into the 6th and 7th weeks you will see that the program starts to get heavier and heavier\! It is a good program to go through before going into one of the Strength and Power programs\! Thanks, Dan

Dan designed the periodization models the Wave Engine runs.

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## More in Youth Weight Training

- [I am 16 years of age and i am recently doing weight training. Many people tell me that its bad. Is it really bad? If so, why?](https://www.workoutsmart.com/ask-dan/youth-weight-training/i-am-16-years-of/126)
- [I was researching "periodization" on the search engine Google and found you. I LOVE THIS SITE\! The questions I have are related to my 13 year old son. First and foremost is it safe for him to start doing this kind of workout? I have heard that weight training is not recommended for kids, is this true or myth. My son is a pitcher and his season just ended. We are going to start working for the season next year which generally starts in May. In our gym we have medicine balls 2-1 pound, 2-2 pound, and 4,6,8 pound balls, 2 swiss balls. We also have 250lbs of free weights, ranging from 2 1/2 to 25 lbs plates, Lat pull down attachment and leg curl attatchment. Is it possible to have a program tailered with that kind of equiptment and a person that is that age. I eagerly await your advise, hope to hear from you soon.](https://www.workoutsmart.com/ask-dan/youth-weight-training/i-was-researching-periodization-on/1312)
- [I am 16 years old andthinking about getting started lifting weights on one of your programs and I was wondering it is true that intense body building can stunt ones growth?](https://www.workoutsmart.com/ask-dan/youth-weight-training/i-am-16-years-old/1063)
- [My son will be 8 in August. He would like to work out. I read that it would be safe with light weight and 12 - 15 reps. Do you agree with this.](https://www.workoutsmart.com/ask-dan/youth-weight-training/my-son-will-be-8/325)


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