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Sports vs Martial Arts for 7 year old boy

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Sports or Martial Arts?

  • Sports

  • Martial Arts

  • Underwater basket weaving

  • Other (opinion posted below)

Results are only viewable after voting.
Lazarus52980 said:
I don't understand all of the hate on lifting weights? I even posted links to posts in H&F where you can see the video of what he is doing if you wanted to. His form is good, and we do a decent number of reps. I see no reason why he can't get stronger just because he is a kid...

Someone please explain this to me.
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First graders do not need to strength train. Kids at that age play for fun, for social stimulus and to learn the sport. It's not competition at that point yet. Even when it is, like little league or something, nobody really gives two craps who wins. I didn't even start "strength" training until I played pop warner football in 5th grade. Even then, it was just tons of running, push ups and sit ups. Core stuff.

Hey I am not judging you as a person or parent, I am just saying, it's not really conventional or needed that a 7 year old lift weights. He is still growing very rapidly and stuff like that could probably still stunt his bone/tendon growth. Did you consult a doctor before he began?
 
Newbian said:
How so?

Weather can be a issue for some sure but a lot of them can be played inside also or are you talking about the time frame the game is played just for leagues and such?
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Mostly leagues and such. Its hard to be a serious team sports player much past college. Rec leagues really cater to the younger crowd. I doubt you see many 50+ football players for example. Of course there are sports that people play late into life, but I'm thinking of the usual suspects. Team sports in particular get the shaft as people get older and have kids, etc. Hard to get enough people together. OTOH there are many people who do martial arts pretty much until they die.
 
z1ggy said:
First graders do not need to strength train. Kids at that age play for fun, for social stimulus and to learn the sport. It's not competition at that point yet. Even when it is, like little league or something, nobody really gives two craps who wins. I didn't even start "strength" training until I played pop warner football in 5th grade. Even then, it was just tons of running, push ups and sit ups. Core stuff.

Hey I am not judging you as a person or parent, I am just saying, it's not really conventional or needed that a 7 year old lift weights. He is still growing very rapidly and stuff like that could probably still stunt his bone/tendon growth. Did you consult a doctor before he began?
Click to expand...

I don't really trust most pediatricians for stuff like this, but I consulted with a couple of different physical therapists (since I presume they actually know about the body and the lifts and how they work) I even have a physical therapist from church who regularly reviews his form with me to help me help him improve.

We are training because he wants to, and I think that as long as he can do the lift CORRECTLY, then he is strong enough to do it. He has actually done quite well. Tomorrow he gets to try for a 50 lb squat, since he was able to complete a full round of 45 lb. squats with good form.
 
Lazarus52980 said:
I don't understand all of the hate on lifting weights? I even posted links to posts in H&F where you can see the video of what he is doing if you wanted to. His form is good, and we do a decent number of reps. I see no reason why he can't get stronger just because he is a kid...

Someone please explain this to me.
Click to expand...

it can be very unhealthy for someone that young to do much weight lifting, strength training is fine as is free weights but body-weight exercises are imo much safer. I know lots of people who started lifting too early and now have busted backs and joints because of it. With children, resistance should be added according to age not strength.

I voted sports because a good teamsport is good for your kid's social life particularly once he gets older.
 
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I say sports. My son is in his second season playing basketball in the local city league, there were 16 teams in this league so it is pretty competitive and he has thrived in it. My wife and I both love watching the games and he has made new friends and really is starting to enjoy it. His team was actually one of the favorites to win the division but they had a poor game against a team they beat handily a couple weeks earlier so they were eliminated. They all took it hard but it was a good learning experience.

My son is 10 years old.
 
Well I grew up playing football, I loved it. But i will not lie i suffered multiple concussions through out middle school and high school, so i would say steer away from football. I would suggest maybe Midget Hockey or Soccer. I was also involved in Wadō-ryū growing up until our Sensei was killed in a motorcycle accident, and would recommend martial arts to anyone.
 
All of the above.

Deride "underwater basket weaving" all you want, but if you aren't encouraging him in some kind of creative/artistic/hands-on-mechanical pursuit, he's missing out.
 
Lazarus52980 said:
I don't really trust most pediatricians for stuff like this, but I consulted with a couple of different physical therapists (since I presume they actually know about the body and the lifts and how they work) I even have a physical therapist from church who regularly reviews his form with me to help me help him improve.

We are training because he wants to, and I think that as long as he can do the lift CORRECTLY, then he is strong enough to do it. He has actually done quite well. Tomorrow he gets to try for a 50 lb squat, since he was able to complete a full round of 45 lb. squats with good form.
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I will ask my girl friend what she thinks, she is a physical therapist as well.

Maybe times have changed with advancements in science/medicine, but I just don't see that being good for your son's physical development long term.

Why couldn't you have him do say, lunges or box jumps? Why have him with 50-75% (I'm guessing) of his own body weight on his back like that?
 
z1ggy said:
I will ask my girl friend what she thinks, she is a physical therapist as well.

Maybe times have changed with advancements in science/medicine, but I just don't see that being good for your son's physical development long term.

Why couldn't you have him do say, lunges or box jumps? Why have him with 50-75% (I'm guessing) of his own body weight on his back like that?
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We started over a year ago with a broomstick. He has gradually built up to where he is now.

As far as %'s, its actually higher than that. Last lifting session (on last Sunday) he was 54.2 lbs.

As far as why? I only know how to teach what I do..

BTW, while what I do might be more aggressive than what they might like, but even the Mayo clinic and the American academy of pediatrics endorse it.

info Here and here

Lastly, just for the record, we NEVER do fewer than 8 reps, so we are not getting anywhere near "maximal" lifts.
 
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Both. FWIW when my son was 7 (15 now), we put him in Tae Kwon Do (like your son, he was also doing Cub Scouts too, but not much activity there). TKD has been awesome for my son. The workout alone has kept him in great shape, but the benefits in the attitude department are worth more. Most kids his age are spoiled, disrespectful, fat little pricks.

He's earned his third degree black belt and loves TKD. I also put him in various sports over the years. Soccer, T-ball, baseball. If he didn't want to do it anymore I didn't push it. My Dad did that, and I resented him for it. Hated sports for a long time as a result too.

Just try both if you can and let him show you/tell you what he likes more.
 
Lazarus52980 said:
We started over a year ago with a broomstick. He has gradually built up to where he is now.

As far as %'s, its actually higher than that. Last lifting session (on last Sunday) he was 54.2 lbs.

As far as why? I only know how to teach what I do..

BTW, while what I do might be more aggressive than what they might like, but even the Mayo clinic and the American academy of pediatrics.

Here and here

Lastly, just for the record, we NEVER do fewer than 8 reps, so we are not getting anywhere near "maximal" lifts.
Click to expand...

Per the second article- "Multiple studies have shown that strength training, with proper technique and strict supervision, can increase strength in preadolescents and adolescents."

Neither of those age classes define a 7 year old. Per the dictionary, preadolescents is defined at "preadolescent) preteen: of or relating to or designed for children between the ages of 9 and 12"

Is your son between the ages of 9 and 12?
 
My son, who is almost 9, has done both martial arts and sports.

He dropped martial arts first. He now does basketball, soccer and baseball. Just the other day he mentioned that he was going to drop baseball in a year or two. By then, he would be paying sports at school (basketball, soccer and flag football). He knows that he will not be able to play tackle football.

He said he would continue with basketball outside of school (in rec leagues where I coach him) and that it would be his "main sport" through high school.

So, I say "both" and let him decide which ones to keep or drop (at the end of the season, of course).

MotionMan
 
z1ggy said:
Per the second article- "Multiple studies have shown that strength training, with proper technique and strict supervision, can increase strength in preadolescents and adolescents."

Neither of those age classes define a 7 year old. Per the dictionary, preadolescents is defined at "preadolescent) preteen: of or relating to or designed for children between the ages of 9 and 12"

Is your son between the ages of 9 and 12?
Click to expand...

Actually, they say in the article that it is not about age, but maturity to be able to do the lift. Here is a quote directly from the 2nd article

"Because balance and postural control skills mature to adult levels by ∼7 to 8 years of age, it seems logical that strength programs need not start before achievement of those skills."

They are right, if he can't do the work correctly, he is too young. if he can, he is old/mature enough. I agree with that, and so have the professionals I have asked.
 
I love martial arts but the quality, quantity, and infrastructure for kids is nowhere near that of mainstream sports. If you absolutely can only choose one, I guess I would choose sports. I hope my wife and as-yet non-conceived child will be on board for both.
 
Lazarus52980 said:
Actually, they say in the article that it is not about age, but maturity to be able to do the lift. Here is a quote directly from the 2nd article

"Because balance and postural control skills mature to adult levels by ∼7 to 8 years of age, it seems logical that strength programs need not start before achievement of those skills."

They are right, if he can't do the work correctly, he is too young. if he can, he is old/mature enough. I agree with that, and so have the professionals I have asked.
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Alright, well then that settles that. Just hopefully this doesnt hurt or stunt his growth. My g/f said she recommends "functional exercise" to kids, which basically means sports and regular activity. Anyway, I'm dropping this subject now because you are obviously not going to stop him from lifting weights, he is your son.

Back to the topic you posted... I say ask him how he feels about doing jiu jitsu. It's great for strength development with out weights, will help him with confidence and give him life long self defense skills. If he is hesitant, maybe try wrestling. Little league baseball, soccer and basketball are all good team sport choices too. There's no reason your son can't be playing 3-4 different sports per year plus jiu jitsu if he enjoyed it.
 
KeithTalent said:
Sports for sure, since it fosters teamwork more; all of the kids I know who did marital arts are weirdos (no offence lxskllr).

KT
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And most of the people I know who played sports were douchebags...

Sports teaching teamwork is the great lie. I played team sports my entire life and all I learned is there are cliques on every team and the coaches', and their friends', sons will start over you even if you could beat two of them by yourself.

Sports are a complete waste of time. MMA on the other hand is something he can use if those douchebags give him trouble while he is trying to get an education. Get him into a BJJ or MMA gym if you can.
 
my friend's 12 year old is obsessed with mma. his dad honestly thinks pro football or prizefighting are in his kid's future. i tried explaining how few players make it to rosters, what the average career length and pay are, how many players have a crap future after football since they developed no other skills, and how the nfl might cease to exist in a few years due to the high risk of head injury. i also explained how prizefighters are the male equivalent of prostitutes.

then i tried explaining the higher likelihood of hire and long-term applicability of sports-related careers: sports medicine, video and data, marketing, whatever.

his answer: "taking a beat-down for $200,000? sign me up!"
 
dave_the_nerd said:
All of the above.

Deride "underwater basket weaving" all you want, but if you aren't encouraging him in some kind of creative/artistic/hands-on-mechanical pursuit, he's missing out.
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agreed. I'm sure i mentioned my kids are in sports (mentioned ti once or twice..lol). But both also do music. my daughter is great. we have an electric organ and she loves to play it.

My son has a drum set and the kid (err hes 21 now heh) has shown him some stuff on it.

I on the other hand have ZERO musical ability. I do think it is important something kids do.

also Grades HAVE to stay up. if my kids get below a B we start threatening missing out on sports.

now i wish we could get my daughter out of gymnastics. takes up to much time and money heh
 
Gymnastics is probably the best all around athletic foundation. Not only does it provide outstanding plyometric strength training but the spatial awareness and body sense it teaches are great for any athletic activity one chooses later in life unless of course you want to be a distance runner. If I were a parent I would have my kids do gymnastics until age 12 or so along with whatever team sports they're interested in.
 
sixone said:
I voted for martial arts. It'll give him confidence, without putting him at risk of concussions and other typical sports injuries.
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So much LOL. So learning a fighting style is not as dangerous as other sports perhaps, but then you are doing and wrong and not learning anything. I knocked plenty of kids out I bet their parents wished they took up swimming. :twisted:
 
waggy said:
those have a use too. do you want to keep your child from obesity?
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I didn't say cardio was useless. I guess my point was if you are going to spend money on martial arts for your son, I'd make sure it's providing something of worth in addition to said cardio. TKD teaches an ideological approach that gets people hurt. Sure it can make you sweat, and teaches a lot of people how to limber up and stretch, but in my experience people have to combine it with other studies to make things work out in a fight.

I've seen a number of TKD loudmouths get put way in short order so I have a really hard time respecting the style. Done it myself a few times. Was unimpressed with what I saw in Korea. I'm not sure when cheerleading-esque kata formations synchronized with music became popular, but that shit made me yearn for the boring as hell single point sparring I'd already come to hate. TKD has become an industry more than a tradition, at least in this country.

If he has his heart set on those hard, linear styles, he should check out goju or isshin ryu karate. Want to keep it Korean? Hapkido would probably be the best choice, IMO. In a serious program with any of those the enrolled should expect to get a strenuous workout as well as learn useful self-defense techniques. More useful than what he would learn in TKD I'll wager.
 
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