Do teenagers need to work out in the gym?

Should teens be conscious about how their bodies should look, already? What they do need is exercising and emphasis on fitness, hitting the gym may not be an ideal answer.

By: Kriti Saraswat | | Updated: August 25, 2015 10:58 am

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Body image plays a big role in one’s growing years and if someone is slightly overweight, they often feel less confident in front of their slimmer counterparts. Teenagers are certainly more bothered about their looks and body and with the ongoing changes and hormonal activities, they can be easily lured in to trying shady weight loss products and schemes. It is therefore vital to know how teenagers can stay fit and whether they really need to join a gym. We ask celebrity fitness and diet expert Radhika Karle about teenagers and gymming. Also Read - Is your workout giving you a stiff neck? Do’s and don’t of exercise that might surprise you

Do you recommend that teenagers join a gym?

I recommend teenagers to work out but not necessarily join a gym. After they hit puberty, they tend to put on weight due to all the hormonal changes. This coupled with unhealthy diet habits such as eating junk food and colas can make them overweight or obese.

What kinds of exercises can they do to stay fit?

The mantra is to stay active. Even if they do join a gym, they should not lift very heavy weights. As their body is still in the growing phase, they should opt for bodyweight exercises such as crunches, lunges, push-ups, chin-ups, dips, planks, squats.

In a gym, they can use machines meant for cardio workouts such as the treadmill, cross trainer, elliptical, etc. but not the heavy weight machines. Floor exercises are better for them.

My personal recommendation will be to swim, join a yoga class, dancercise, cycle, run, etc. Or play any sport of your choice to stay active and fit.

How often should teenagers work out in a week?

Since teenagers have a higher rate of metabolism, they can work out almost every day or take a day’s rest. One hour of any physical activity will help them stay fit and keep their metabolic rate high even when they are older.

What diet should they follow along with this?

The main point of concern with teenagers when it comes to diet is to eliminate junk food from it. Eating processed foods can negatively impact their health as they do not have much nutritional value and more number of calories. Since their body is growing, they need proper nutrition and more number of calories especially if they are exercising.

Eat clean and fresh food, have more protein and carbs in the form of eggs, dairy, vegetables, fish, fruits, dry fruits, etc. They should eat every two hours to keep their metabolic rate high and also avoid having protein shakes.

What could be the ill-effects of too much gymming at this age?

Gymming and lifting heavy weights can play havoc with their growing body. It may stunt their growth which can result in them being short or not achieve their optimal height. Gymming can also cause muscle mass loss as they are not really having that much protein. It is therefore advised that they concentrate more on physical activities and bodyweight exercises rather than sweating it out in the gym.

What is the right age to join a gym?

I’d say, girls can probably join a gym when they are 20 and boys can join one a little later, maybe when they are 22. This is because by this time, they have reached their optimal height.

Image source: Getty Images

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Published : August 14, 2014 1:02 pm | Updated:August 25, 2015 10:58 am

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