Hi guys. I just had a question and I'm curious what your guys' answers and opinions will be. I want to achieve a certain goal, but that goal would take a lot of practice and hard work. I'm a skinny kid and I don't have a lot of muscle, so I've been trying to eat more healthy food and work out at the gym with my friends and I try to work as hard as I can when I'm there. But, my family and my friends warn me and tell me to take it easy at the gym incase I injure myself because I'm too young. This concerned me. I felt as if they were right, to take it easy at the gym, since I'm only thirteen years old nearing fourteen years in a couple months, but I also felt like continuing to push myself and working hard to get better at what I'm trying to achieve for. So here's my question for you guys: Would it be better if I took it a little bit easier when I work out at the gym, or should I continue to push myself harder? The only reason I ask this question is because I'm not sure which one to do and I'm just seeking for advice so that way it could help benefit me in the future.
I would suggest getting into a sport. This will make you more fit and healthy, all while not pushing yourself too hard. Also, it's a good way to interact with others your age and make new friends
That's what I do. I should've mentioned this in my thread, but that goal that I want to reach for is to be drafted into the NBA. So yeah I do play a sport, which is basketball and I try to get better at it by eating more and working out at the gym because I'm skinny and I don't have a lot of muscle.
If you are working out at the gym, to get muscle, I suggest going at a steady pace. If you push yourself too hard, that's when the injures will happen. Since you are still growing as you are only 13, your body might also not be ready to tackle the muscle growth as much as it would as if you were an adult.
Oh, ok then. Thank you for the advice. Could you suggest how many days I should work out on per week?
Well, what are you trying to aim for? Muscle or Skill? Because I've read all your posts... you're wanting to be better at basketball, right?
Having experience at the gym. I usually went 3-4 days per week. However, I worked different parts of my body on each day such as biceps, legs, etc.
Yes. And I'm trying to improve more on my skill, but I believe it would help if I had more muscle... Because I'm like a twig and anyone can easily push me out of the way when they drive for a layup.
If you are working on upper body strength, I also recommend working on lower body too. Lower body, leg muscle will allow you to be able to jump higher, run faster and have more balance.
Hmm... Well, I don't know how good you are at playing basketball. If you consider yourself decent, I suggest that you could train more. Try to excel in basketball, I wouldn't worry about muscle at this point. However, if you're outstanding at basketball, then yes, I recommend that you should work out on legs.
My chiropractor said I shouldn't go to the gym until I'm 16, although even then I won't be bothered to go xD.
13 years of age isn't the ideal age for the gym, but if you are convinced then I would stick to treadmills and rowing machines. Don't lift weights or anything.
At 13 I didn't care about my looks or my fat. At 14 I started trying to get skinner and failed… Later at 14 (A couple of months ago) I started working out seriously. I am now 15 and am not fat, am strong yet still short ._. As long as you have determination do it!
Alright, basketball I can help you a lot, as I play it a lot. Work around you own body, and eat beef. Layups are all about footwork, and everyone can make a layup. I suggest looking up some moves on youtube for different ways to get yourself a shot. Use these to get open, and learn how to play on a team. 1v1 and playing on a team are very different. The best is to get a coach or join programs, and experience is the best teacher. Don't be afraid to challenge better opponents:P
As you want to play basketball in the NBA, you are going to need good leg, and arm muscles. Doing something such as an eliptical or a stepper will be helpful for leg muscles. And obviously, arm muscles would be barbells mostly, but at age 13, lift lighter weights such as 15-20 pounds, working your way up to higher weights. I would recommend prioritizing your workouts, to grow muscles in the certain areas you most need it, or where it would help you the most. Good Luck. (By the way if you get drafted into the NBA can I have a selfie?)
Just take steroids, it's what all the people who are buff did, 2015, ain't nobody in the gym natural.
My uncle was a former basketball player and is now a coach, he used to be outside playing basketball or just shooting free-throws for about 1-2 hours a day. This had nothing to do with him working out, but I feel like if you're just trying to become more fit that something like this along with a steady plan for workouts would do well for you.
