My 10-year-old son is eager to begin lifting weights. He is tall for his age, but I am concerned that he may stunt his growth. Can you make any recommendations?

With the onslaught of superheroes with perfect physiques and muscle magazines lining all the magazine racks, body image is now a concern of our children at a younger age. Several studies have shown that weightlifting, under proper supervision, instruction and while using specific guidelines, is safe. These studies showed no interruption of the skeletal growth and noted strength gains in those who participated. At ages 9 and 10 the strength gains were primarily from improving the coordination rather than increasing the size of the muscle. To increase muscle size, you must exercise, but you also have to have the sex hormone - namely testosterone. The most important guideline for initiating an exercise program is supervision. I recommend he begin lifting against his own body weight, such as pullups, pushups, dips and leg lifts. When a pattern of consistency has been reached, then I recommend he start an exercise program using weights while supervised. It is best to start out with machines rather than free weights because the machine eliminates the balance requirements. One set of six to 15 repetitions is a good starting point. If the repetitions are too easily performed, he may add 1 to 3 pounds. No maximum lifts should be performed or ballistic-type movements. It is important to make sure that warmup and stretching is performed before any exercise session, which should last between 20 and 30 minutes. I recommend that this exercise program be done two to three times a week. Your 10-year-old can safely lift weight if he is properly supervised and instructed for a slow, progressive increase in the amount of weight-resistance used.