Should your child be lifting weights? That depends.

If you have a teenager, have them drop and give you ten. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adolescents should be working some muscle strength training into their week. Young children who are active tend to get the muscle training they need through their natural instincts to run, jump and climb on things. Once puberty and hormones kick in, it’s a good idea for teens to consider some heavier lifting. Strength training, including situps, pushups and structured weight lifting three times a week will not only improve development but will significantly reduce the risk of sports injuries by boosting bone density and strengthening muscles and tendons.

If your teen is interested in working with weights, they’ll need an age-appropriate program with lighter weights and more repetition. Their skeletal systems are different than an adult's and it’s important to start out slow. Their goal should be to tone their muscles, not to bulk them up.