I am looking for some advise for helping my 12 year old son start conditioning now for football next season. I have told him I would start taking him to the gym with me on the weekends but he needs other exercises during the week that are non-gym related. I have heard so many different opinions about starting weight lifting to young and really not sure how to start him out. It is also hard as a mom cause I know the way I conditioned for sports at his age is different for what he wants to do.

Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Katie

I would get him into weight training, and get him solid on squats, benchpress, cleans, deadlifts, and pull/chin-ups. Remember, he needs to learn the form first, so he doesn't hurt himself. Other than that, weight training will be very beneficial towards his growth and development as an athlete.

And just in case you're still unsure about getting him on the iron...http://www.defrancostraining.com/art...h-training.htm

A 12 year old needs to stay in the high rep range due to a chemical called relaxin that's rampant in a pre-adolescents and adolescents body. Other than that, stick with your compounds and keep it light and he'll be fine.

I'll say to use weights a couple time a week and get him on a regimen of push ups, bodyweight squats, pull ups etc.

He should also spend some time running hill sprints, doing teddy bears and crab walks and agility drills and plyo drills. If you bulk him up and don't concentrate on sport specific exercise you won't be helping him become a better football player.