The Rise of Young Weightlifters: A New Fitness Frontier
Eve Stevenson, a personal trainer and former British weightlifting champion, recalls a unique milestone with her daughter. "Watching Madison deadlift 35kg at the age of six was pretty cool," she says from her home in south-west London. Stevenson's pride is palpable, yet she faces criticism from those who believe such activities stunt growth or pose dangers. Her children, Madison (now seven) and three-year-old Beau, began resistance training naturally by mimicking their mother. "What child doesn't look at their parents and want to do what they're doing?" she asks.
The Social Media Boom and Changing Perceptions
Strength training has surged in popularity, fueled by social media trends like #Gymtok and #strongnotskinny. According to data from UKActive and Les Mills, 75% of Generation Z and 74% of millennials lift weights at least twice weekly. Television shows like Gladiators, which returned in 2024, have further normalized physical prowess, making resistance training appealing to kids. However, skepticism persists. When fitness influencer Joe Wicks shared videos of his six-year-old son performing chest presses and bicep curls, online comments questioned safety, reflecting broader unease about children in gyms.
Debunking Myths: What Science Says
Jon Oliver, a professor in applied paediatric exercise science at Cardiff Metropolitan University, attributes concerns to outdated thinking. "Myths about resistance training stunting growth have persisted for decades," he says. In 2014, Oliver contributed to an international consensus statement in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which highlighted the benefits of youth resistance training when supervised properly. The NHS and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines support this, recommending muscle-strengthening activities for children aged five to 17, under qualified supervision.
Alex Reader, a gym owner in Devon, notes that his children, Atticus (four) and Ottilie (12), were drawn to weights after seeing him train. "You wouldn't stop a kid sprinting or climbing a tree," he argues. "The forces in those activities are similar to lifting a kettlebell. Training can actually prevent injuries during play." Oliver adds that starting with bodyweight exercises or resistance bands is ideal, progressing slowly to weights as skills develop.
Safety First: Expert Recommendations for Parents
Steph Morris, a lecturer in strength and conditioning at Cardiff Met, advises consulting professionals before introducing weightlifting. "Premature specialization and adult training volumes increase injury risks and psychological burnout," she cautions. She promotes a "sampling approach," where children engage in diverse physical activities to build motor skills and sustain enjoyment. Oliver emphasizes fun as key to maintaining interest, while Morris notes that weightlifting offers inclusivity for kids who may not excel in team sports.
Rich Hawkins, an entrepreneur near Coventry, launched Little Lifters in 2025 after researching children's weightlifting for his four-year-old son, Saxon. The brand sells adjustable plastic barbells and kettlebells, with sales growing by 137% in late 2024. Hawkins highlights research linking fitness to better academic focus and results. "Saxon sees working out as normal," he says, noting the importance of building healthy habits early.
Psychological Considerations and Parental Guidance
Dr. Martha Deiros Collado, a clinical psychologist, urges parents to ensure children's interest in weightlifting is genuine, not driven by pressure to please. "Give kids permission to say no," she advises. She also stresses modeling a healthy approach, focusing on strength for health rather than body image. For some parents, like Kate (a pseudonym), gym visits are urgent; her eight-year-old with type 1 diabetes benefits from strength training for health management, despite criticism from family members.
Reader and Stevenson hope their children gain mental resilience from lifting. "The gym teaches grit and provides an outlet," Stevenson says, reflecting on her own childhood challenges. Deiros Collado recommends avoiding posting children's training videos online to decouple exercise from aesthetics. "It should be about health, not performance," she asserts.
Ultimately, experts agree that with proper supervision, youth resistance training is safe and beneficial. As Oliver summarizes, "It's about building skills and strength gradually, in a fun and supportive environment."
