Safety for kids

[Valvert Lucius Fox]

I need some "carved in stone" kind of information on when one might safely start a child on kettlebell exercises. Has to be something that might convince my daughter to allow her 10 year old to swing kettlebells. Thanks for your help.

[temposhot]

I noticed this, and would appreciate any information also. My stepson is 9.

I've asked about this on a kettlebell specific website, and I will paraphrase anything I get from them if no one here answers.

Scott

[spec111]

KB is very technically demanding sport! KB is not intended for self-study without PROFESSIONAL coach! KB is very ineffective and DANGEROUS sport for pre-teens!!! You dont need such diffucult sport to get good GPP advancement of your kids!!! KB is designed for the special physical development (SPP) of successful athletes (mma, boxing, wrestling, military, leo, etc)! And not for GPP workouts of pre-teens!

Your children can safely engage in weightlifting, but you should refrain from technically difficult and dangerous exercises, and from small number of repeats with submax weights (12-15 reps is ok)!

Kids should focus on weightlifting exercises that are performed while lying on a bench (various types of benchpress and prone rows) in order to avoid dangerous loads on the spine!

*GPP = General Physical Preparedness
*SPP = Specific Physical Preparedness

I repeat - it is extremely DANGEROUS, and traumas WILL BE very sophisticated and WILL require _special_, long and very expensive medical treatment! Your are not pro-coach, so stay away from KB for your kids! Trust me, your kids dont need KB at this age!

[Ragsbo]

My preachers son works out with us using kettlebells and he is doing fine (he is 8-9 years old). He uses a 5 lb bell and we make sure he uses the correct technique. He probable could use a heavier one but we don't want to push it. Think proper technique over weight. He loves the kettle bell over the dumbbells we were using.

[Patrick K]

I'm not a doctor, or a sports trainer, but it is my understanding that children can possibly develop muscular / skeletal issues and stunted growth. If this is bad info, feel free to correct me.