Does weight training stunts height growth for teenagers?

There are so many myths which prevails in the fitness industry yet even after the introduction of so many science based facts.

We are going to talk about one of those biggest and most common myth which is prevailing in the fitness industry since ancient times "Does weight training stunts your height growth?".

When 4 years ago I started bodybuilding I was so fascinated when I used to see bodybuilders with ripped and shredded muscles.I was always fond of having big biceps, triceps, huge chest etc.

Also being a teenager and fitness enthusiast I always admired weight training but listening to so many people that weight training in my age will stunt my height growth or I'll end up hurting myself , I started with bodyweight training. But soon after one year after doing so many research I finally found out the conclusion.

So based on that let us break this myth!!.

First of all the question is from where did this myth came from?

So in 1964,in Japan, the children who were found to do more of labour work and lifting weights generally they struggled with short height.So lifting heavy was the reason for their height? And now you may ask which element is there in our body which promotes height growth.

Putting science back into this,the growth cartilage present in your long bones which is present in our body is responsible for our
height growth.

Also your height highly depends on your genes.If your father or mother had a great height then there is full possibility of yours having it too.

Let us keep weight training aside for a bit to know more that in what cases your height growth can stop?
So during any of  the physical activity whether it is playing football, cricket or any sport, in case you injure your growth plates or growth cartilage then there are full chances of your height getting stunt.

During weight lifting you majorly focus on a specific muscle group and you do it also requires more force in lifting than any other sport. That's why there are more chances of your height getting stunt during weight training.

Supervision is the key

Lifting with perfect technique, perfect form, avoiding over training, you can avoid the risk of your growth plates getting injured.If you are newbie or a beginner trying to lift,I would prefer you to start with bodyweight training but still if you want to train with weights, train under a great supervision

to avoid injuries to your growth plates.

One of the major mistakes I notice in the beginners is that they do ego lifting thinking that by lifting heavy they will get jacked up.Avoid ego lifting, lifting heavy doesn't have any role in building your muscles as soon as possible. Lifting with proper technique and form is the most important thing.

What workouts or mistakes that should be avoided?

• If you are a beginner or teenager, try to avoid overhead presses because while doing that you will put your spine under a great pressure and spine is one of the determinants in your height growth.
• Avoid lifting heavy.As I said before lifting heavy will get you nowhere. You may lift light weights but it should be with proper technique.
• Focus on free weights like dumbbells instead of getting attracted to machines.
• Train each your body part once or twice a week, not more than that.Your split can be like this:

           Monday:Chest & Triceps

           Tuesday:Shoulders & Biceps

           Wednesday:Back & Legs

           Thursday:Chest & Triceps

           Friday:Shoulder & Biceps

           Saturday:Back & Legs

           Sunday:Rest

This is perfect split if you are a beginner and trying to put on some mass because it is providing you with dual benefit.In this you are training ever body part 2 times a week and also getting ample rest of 48 hours for each muscle to recover. I don't recommend you to train your body part again within 48 hours because it requires 48 hours for your every body part to properly recover 

Putting in front of you a great example 

I am sure about listening to this fact you won't deny about the facts that I mentioned.So this a example of very well known and legend of building, Mr.Arnold Schwarzengger.

Arnold started working out when he was just 15. And he competed in his first ever bodybuilding competition when he was 17 in Junior Mr. Europe in which he won. Since then he has never looked back. And today he stands 6 feet and 3 inch tall.

Summing up all the things I would like to say that don't run after gains and mindlessly start with lifting heavy. Lift light weight, perform more repetitions, supervise your form and technique.

And let the gains begin!!