Teenage Bodybuilding

The Basics
 
As already mentioned, the basic requirements remain the same for a bodybuilder, no matter what his age is. These basic requirements are a proper training routine that develops the body and also takes care of the fact that there are no injuries, a healthy diet and enough rest so that the body can recover from the stress it is subjected to through strict workouts.

 
The Positives
 
Any teenager must understand that his body is still undergoing development and it will take a few years for all the muscles to completely mature. While for some it might be sound like a deterrent, it actually is quite a positive thing. If you begin bodybuilding at an early age you already have a body that most in your age group don’t have. And even if you are not yet ready to challenge the professionals, if you are willing to continue with the hard work, then there is no stopping you.
 
Another positive to start early is that you develop all the right habits at an early age. For many of us, joining gym starts with the goal to reduce the excess weight. For someone who gets into bodybuilding at an early age, there is a far lesser chance to spend any time in trying to reduce the flab that has already gathered. He can straightaway start on his program of bodybuilding.
 
Studies have also suggested that teens who are into bodybuilding also do well in class. The main reason cited has been an increased ability to stay focused and concentrate on the job at hand, and being confident about what you do. A healthy body always helps in having a healthy mind.
 
The Apparent Risks
 
To say that teenage bodybuilding involves risks would not be the right. However, as with any other activity that teens do, there is sometimes the possibility of them overdoing the thing, exposing themselves to unnecessary risks.
 
A teenager is bound to have more energy than an adult and will generally be in high spirits. While this might usually be a positive thing to have, it can be a problem if he starts overdoing things. Many teens have been observed to do more than the suggested number of repetitions with weights. They might think that more the number of repetitions better will be the result. But it is not necessarily true. In fact overdoing weights is the most common way to injure oneself.
Many teenagers have also been observed not to pay proper attention to their dietary habits. It is a fact that since the nutritional needs of most teens vary greatly from one another, it is quite hard to prescribe one particular diet for all teens. However, this does not mean that the diet needs to be neglected or a particular healthy diet cannot be worked out for an individual. While supplements can help in gaining more muscle mass, a teenager should not be completely dependant on these. Without a proper diet there is always the risk of the body breaking down under severe stress from regular workouts. So it is imperative that teens follow proper eating habits. Drinking enough water is also part of that diet and helps to keep the body hydrated after tough exercise routines.
Another major cause while many teens affect their body badly is that they don’t allow their body enough time to rest and recuperate. A good night’s sleep is very important for any bodybuilder. It is while we are sleeping that our body fixes all its problems and also grows the most. Without proper sleep and rest both are hindered. So if you are planning to be successful in bodybuilding, don’t neglect your sleep. You need at least seven hours of sleep every night so that your body stays healthy and you are fresh, both physically and mentally, to go through the exercise routine the next day.