My 7 year old doing pull-ups

[Lazarus52980]

Before I even show the video, I want to thank the many people here who have helped me in the past with advice on helping my son with his lifting and strength training. These results would not have been possible without that assistance. Thank you

Now, the video. This is my 7.5 year old son who was able to complete 11 pull-ups tonight! Advice on form if you think it applies is very welcome.

http://youtu.be/H_kZWNQ0Btw

(Yes, its a vertical video. Seemed appropriate in this situation...)

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Get him to slow down when he's lowering himself. Improving his eccentric control is optimal for not only strength gains, but to learn overall control of one's body. Also, ideally, work him to strict ones eventually (without him bringing his hips up, squirming, moving his head so much).

Great job though. Your boy is a hard worker and it shows.

 

[Sid59]

how many can he do from a dead hang, no kick .. repeat?

also .. he can do a few set of negatives ..
jump up, chin over bar
stabilize his legs to stop the swinging
slowly, lower from chin over bar to a dead hang

 

[Lazarus52980]

Wow, I guess I didn't realize that there was much to consider with "form" for pull-ups other than kipping... I will have to go back and review the proper way to do a strict pull-up and kind of start over.

So much for my psudo "brag thread". lol

 

[Koing]

how many can he do from a dead hang, no kick .. repeat?

also .. he can do a few set of negatives ..
jump up, chin over bar
stabilize his legs to stop the swinging
slowly, lower from chin over bar to a dead hang

I don't think he really needs to do negatives seeing as he can do 11 of them.

I'd have him follow SociallyChallenges advice, slower on the negatives and just have his feet hang straight and not have him tuck his knees up.

Strong kid!

Koing

 

[darkxshade]

Get him to slow down when he's lowering himself. Improving his eccentric control is optimal for not only strength gains, but to learn overall control of one's body. Also, ideally, work him to strict ones eventually (without him bringing his hips up, squirming, moving his head so much).

Great job though. Your boy is a hard worker and it shows.

When I do strict hanging pullups, I find myself towards the end of my sets leaning my hips/legs forward(not kipping) such that instead of being completely vertical, I'm now doing pullups at a certain angle. It's a leverage thing, basically I can't complete my reps(chin over bar) unless I do this and the more reps I attempt, the more I have to make an "L" in order to distribute the weight evenly. Any insight or thoughts about this?

 

[Sid59]

Wow, I guess I didn't realize that there was much to consider with "form" for pull-ups other than kipping... I will have to go back and review the proper way to do a strict pull-up and kind of start over.

So much for my psudo "brag thread". lol

he's strong .. i imagine the end goal is stronger =D

 

[Lazarus52980]

he's strong .. i imagine the end goal is stronger =D

Absolutely.

He has been watching me since I decided to start learning to lift about 2.5 years ago and had always wanted to participate with me. I have had to learn a LOT about how to coach, and am still learning all the time, but he really enjoys lifting now. I think the "fire" has been lit in him at a very early age, and it looks to be starting up in his 6 year old sister, and his 5 year old brother too. (who all lift together 3 days a week now).

 

[SociallyChallenged]

When I do strict hanging pullups, I find myself towards the end of my sets leaning my hips/legs forward(not kipping) such that instead of being completely vertical, I'm now doing pullups at a certain angle. It's a leverage thing, basically I can't complete my reps(chin over bar) unless I do this and the more reps I attempt, the more I have to make an "L" in order to distribute the weight evenly. Any insight or thoughts about this?

You're using different muscle groups and beginning to compensate for weakness in the primary muscles that depress your scapulae and extend your shoulder. Work more strict form while staying vertical. Stop when you start compensating.

 

[abhishek25]

I have heard that certain kind of exercise are not good for kids , may be some experts advice needed

 

[Lazarus52980]

I have heard that certain kind of exercise are not good for kids , may be some experts advice needed

Would you care you elaborate where you have "heard" this from?

Sure, if you do the lifts and other exercises wrong, you are going to come out of it in some pain, or with some issues, but that is true for adults and kids alike...

Even the Mayo Clinic endorses strength training for children. You can feel free to read about it here.

Do you have any specifics you would like to share on this subject?

 

[Koing]

Would you care you elaborate where you have "heard" this from?

Sure, if you do the lifts and other exercises wrong, you are going to come out of it in some pain, or with some issues, but that is true for adults and kids alike...

Even the Mayo Clinic endorses strength training for children. You can feel free to read about it here.

Do you have any specifics you would like to share on this subject?

Ignore abhishek25 in regards to kids and training.

As long as form is correct and the weights aren't pushed hard it's fine. But he's probably never seen a Chinese kids Gymnastics class where the kids are pushed to extremes...

Koing

 

[Lazarus52980]

Ignore abhishek25 in regards to kids and training.

As long as form is correct and the weights aren't pushed hard it's fine. But he's probably never seen a Chinese kids Gymnastics class where the kids are pushed to extremes...

Koing

Since we are digressing into a different subject, I will start a new thread on kids weightlifting.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I have heard that certain kind of exercise are not good for kids , may be some experts advice needed

<- Doctor of physical therapy, musculoskeletal specialist. That kind of exercise (especially body weight) is phenomenal for children, as it helps develop good body awareness, neural coordination, functional strength, good body image, and confidence. Heavy strength training is not advised, but kids can even lift weights (in the 12-15 reps range).

 

[blackdogdeek]

<- Doctor of physical therapy, musculoskeletal specialist. That kind of exercise (especially body weight) is phenomenal for children, as it helps develop good body awareness, neural coordination, functional strength, good body image, and confidence. Heavy strength training is not advised, but kids can even lift weights (in the 12-15 reps range).

Don't bother. I don't think he was posting seriously regarding the OP. He posted one liners in about 20 threads yesterday all at the same time and with very little contribution to any of them, possibly just getting post count up.

 

[tedrodai]

Absolutely.

He has been watching me since I decided to start learning to lift about 2.5 years ago and had always wanted to participate with me. I have had to learn a LOT about how to coach, and am still learning all the time, but he really enjoys lifting now. I think the "fire" has been lit in him at a very early age, and it looks to be starting up in his 6 year old sister, and his 5 year old brother too. (who all lift together 3 days a week now).

I think that's awesome, and a good job by you for acting as a role model and also trying to teach them correct form from the beginning. My daughter is still a toddler, but I hope I can similarly inspire my kids to have some sort of goals related to physical activity down the road. We'll see .

 

[whyalwaysme]

That's fantastic! Little Hercules!

 

[CPA]

Time for a weight vest

 

[Lazarus52980]

Time for a weight vest

I am guessing I would have a hard time finding one small enough for him... maybe a dip belt?