Many boys and girls lift weights at Bedford, and that could be good or bad thing because the eighth grade body is still developing, and weightlifting can affect how a middle school tween develops.
“Experts say that middle schoolers should not do traditional weightlifting. Instead they should do what they do at Bedford which is strength training as a circuit,” said Mr. Tim Lyons, a physical education teacher at Bedford.

Strength training is when someone repeatedly lifts very small weights. This helps work out muscles without risks of getting permanent injuries. Another thing that can also be helpful to developing muscles in a safe way is using a lifter’s own bodyweight to workout, doing exercises like push-ups and sit-ups.
The State of Connecticut does not technically limit what type of weight lifting a student can do in a middle school, but the Bedford physical education staff is knowledgeable about the effects heavy weights could have on a growing body.

Traditional weightlifting, as it has come to be known, usually consists of heavy weights lifted one to five times. This not only strains young muscles, but is not effective in trying to get a good workout. It exerts a lot of force into a small task that usually tires a lifter out to the point where he or she has to stop exercising. Middle school bodies are still developing, and the traditional weight lifting can damage skeletons and muscles as they grow.

“Meet with a knowledgeable adult and ask about strength training as outlined. It should begin with the smallest weight to get body ready for the brand new activity, focusing on tone instead of bulk,” said Mr. Lyons.

Another side of this ongoing debate is the gender equality side. Should boys and girls lift the same amount of weight? Mr. Tim Lyons says that middle schoolers should lift according to body size, not gender. If a boy and a girl are the same body mass, they should be lifting the same amount.
Many middle schoolers see weightlifting as an important part of their lives. “Weightlifting is a good idea for middle schoolers because it can keep you healthy, and puts you ahead in sports,” says Brody Brounstein of the eighth grade. He believes that if done in the right way, it can be very good for you.
“It is extremely important to be supervised while weightlifting so that you don’t hurt yourself,” explained Brody. He weight lifts at home and at a crossfit gym, and he has only hurt himself once by doing the exercise wrong.

It is important to do the exercise correctly because that is when weightlifting can go wrong and injuries can occur. In Brody’s opinion boys and girls could lift the same as long as they are the same body size and type, which is usually not the case. He explained that this helped keep him fit and put him ahead in his sports, which has been a great thing for him.

“It’s okay because it’s not bad for you, it just helps keep you fit,” explains Olivia Gordy of the eighth grade. She does not lift weights, but she is an avid tennis player, and has considered it before.
She thinks that middle schoolers should be able to weightlift because it is very healthy for you, and there is no harm in doing so because is can only be good for you.
“If you aren’t already weightlifting, then you probably shouldn’t start until high school,” she advises. She would never consider starting to lift weights because she does many other physical activities.
She does not know many people who weight lift, and she thinks that most people start because they want to have a bigger and stronger appearance, not so much for the health aspect.

Many people weightlift, and there are many sides to this issue. It is very good for physical health if you do it correctly, but if you don’t, you can cause serious harm to your body.