13yo son wants to start training

[DaWarw]

Just make sure he eats a lot of protein. (i.e. steaks, chicken, and throw in some whey)

[rocketscientist]

Got that too right now. My son just started to go to the gym with me a couple of months ago. He's 16 now, and in school it's of course all about steroids and getting big fast (and of course everyone that is bigger has to be on steroids).

Anyway - my take is no supplements (protein for now, of course funded by me) w/o proper diet. That way I hope he'll watch his diet at least a little. You can teach and show proper diet but you can't make them eat it. And I always get the 'How can you eat that stuff' comment...

I hope watching his diet will come next if he's really interested.

[motiv8erJR]

Jay, as a teen I understand your worried about his diet. Like the many before me have said, dont worry to much. The big thing that my parents have done for me, is to not give me much of a choice in what I get to eat. If its in the house I eat it... plain and simple. So they are both healthy and eat healthy so I learned to eat healthy. If you allow him to eat whatever he wants... that he can find in your house... then you should be good

ps.. on the water business. I dont know if your water comes out of the tap, but I used to hate that stuff too. But I started putting it in a jug in the frig. and I would go do my cardio in the heat. Get home and that cold water would be like nectar. ..... lesson learned, make it special and the boy will learn to love it... psych 101


~Mk

[CRUNCH]

One thing to consider about diet for your son not pushing him too hard to eat good. As I kid, the more I got pushed for something, the less I wanted to do it!

Tell them what will help them get stronger, leaner, and bigger, then let them decide. The best thing about this is dad. When the kids see you eating healthy and looking good, that in itself may motivate them to follow your lead. This way they decided to do it themselves.

Perfect age too, I started when I was 12 and never looked back! I'm just thinking how my training would have gone if I'd had a dad with that kind of knowledge.

Good luck Jayhawkk!

[jomi822]

when i was in my teen years drinking a gallon of milk a day helped me packkk on the mass real quick. if he doesnt want to drink whey or eat boring high protein foods, milk is always a great alternative.

i dont know how people bodybuild without milk.

[not_big_enuf]

"Hi there little Jayhawk. Here's a 23 gauge, 1.5 inch needle for you. Now let's go work out. That's a good boy!"

[RAVEN]

I think weight training is so important. Especially in your teens.
I hit 155 bench @ 15 years old in highschool in our PE class. I have been hooked ever since. So I think its a great thing. Being a mom myself( my son is 3 , so I have a bit to go) I definately want my kid to eat right, but I also want him to be able to experience normal kid stuff like an occasional birthday cake hamburger etc. As to water,my son prefers it to juice. He always asks for it. I was worried about the huge amounts of sugar in juice when he was a baby that I just started giving him water and he loves it. SO I guess another issue being what kind of habits you and your son can form together.

[Jayhawkk]

Thanks guys, i'm throwing in a lot of this advice and the water in the fridge thing works I didn't even think of the rotator cuff exercises and those are never bad for anyone! About 4 more days till we start for the summer. He's been up in his room practicing stretches the past few days and asking questions about everything from diet to training.

The only downside to this is i'll have to find a way to mentally scar him from ever thinking he can kick my ass when he out grows me :P

[Apowerz6]

The only downside to this is i'll have to find a way to mentally scar him from ever thinking he can kick my ass when he out grows me :P

Just show him your posts asking can you be Magenta- that would scar any kid...

[Jayhawkk]

Just because you're not secure n your manhood dosn't mean I should have to shy away from magenta! That is a dark reddish color right?

[Jayhawkk]

oh **** it's pink!