Is strength training safe for teenagers?

Muscle strengthening activities like weight training can be beneficial for teens. Photo: TNS

My daughter is 15 and lifts weights regularly to stay in shape. Lately, she’s complained about stretch marks on her legs as a result of weight-lifting. She doesn’t like how they look, but I’m more concerned that she is doing too much. Is weight training healthy for girls who are still growing? How much is too much?

Muscle-strengthening activities, such as lifting weights, can be beneficial for teens. But weight-lifting is not the only way to increase strength. Encourage your daughter to consider varying her workouts to include other kinds of strength training.