AboutAdam Kessler Expertise USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. I have 11 years experience in the industry and now run my own personal training company.
If there are questions specific to weight loss or muscle gain, body transformation programs, and some health issues (osteoporosis, diabetes, arthritis, elderly fitness, pregnancy, and fibromyalgia), I can help. I also deal with athletes who want to improve their speed, agility, and quickness, as well as providing sport-specific strength programs.
I seem to receive a lot of questions about weight loss, shaping up, and weight gain. Even though they are different questions, they all have a very similar answer. I have decided to write a 3 page document explaining what you need to do to achieve weight loss, weight gain, or just getting good definition (flatter stomach, thinner thighs, no granny arms, etc.). If your question falls in this area, please download this document and read what you need to do. This will save me and you time. Please click here to download this document. If you have a more specific question, please feel free to ask me. I'm more than happy to try and help you out.
Also, please don't ask me to give you a workout to do. I can't give individualized workouts over this forum. I know nothing about you. If you misinterpret what I'm saying, get hurt, then I get in trouble. So no workouts period.
Experience I have had over 11 years of experience in the health and fitness field. The last 6, I started and have been running my own personal training company. I have also been the head strength coach of an area high school for 4 years.
Organizations I am a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. I also belong to USA Weightlifting.
Publications I have been the feature of several articles in Columbus Business First and Mid-Ohio Golfer. I have written articles for various online article directories which can be found by Google searching my name.
Education/Credentials B.A. at Indiana University (1994)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach
I would like to know your view towards youth weight training. I have a son that plays sports with football being the one he loves most. He's 13 years. old, 5 ft and 105-107 lbs. Since his size isn't ideal for football, we decided that weight training would allow him to compete and stay healthy at the same time. There are others (coaches/parents) that don't share the same point of view as I do.
His growth started slow as a young boy, but since we started weight training, he's made great strides in growing. The last two years he grew 3.5 and 4 inches respectively. He also gained 13 and 15 lbs. I must admit that he does work as hard as most adults, but his body seems to hold up to whatever I ask him to do. I don't want to harm him, but at the same time, I want him to reach whatever his goals are. I included a photo taken right after his 13th birthday.
Answer If kids want to start weight training with us, I usually use 13 as my minimum age. Now I have parents who want us to start a little earlier and if they press me I will allow the athletes to train under our supervision.
Basically, i feel that technique is the biggest concern. Don't even worry about how much weight they are lifting. I use exercises that are the basic exercises for each muscle group. I keep the reps high and like I said just focus on technique. There is no evidence that weight lifting does harm to kids unless they aren't doing the proper technique and consequently lift too much weight, which will hurt them.
I would just do total body training and allow a day's rest inbetween with no more than 3 days a week. But if you are asking me if I think it is alright, I would say yes, as long as proper technique is enforced and the focus is on that technique and repetitions not weight.
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