There's essentially no data that lifting weights for an elementary-age child is going to make them a better athlete. For the younger child, this really has to be fun (because) their motivation is a lot different than the middle-school or the high-school athlete who wants to be bigger, stronger, faster.

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Resistance training can begin safely as early as 6 years of age. Resistance training or strength training might mean just using your body weight (and doing) push ups and sit ups, to using elastic bands to using small dumbbells.

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