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Training Overweight Kid

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G-man View Drop Down
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    Posted: 1/01/06 at 12:43pm

I have convinced my 14 year old over weight nephew to come over to my house and lift with me. He is about 6 tall 300lbs (almost all fat) and uncoordinated. I really don't care about him playing sports or any thing I just want him to boost his self image. Any suggestions on what sets and reps exercise I should use? I have the BFS book by Shepard but I think in his state it may be too much for him. Currently his is just a big Fat lazy slob with no goals, I would never say that to his face BUT his parents do (which I think is bad). Help

-G-

http://cghighlander.blogspot.com/
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pit rat View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pit rat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/01/06 at 1:41pm
I would think the simpler basic (3set 8-10rep)lifts that might show him the quickest gains in strength and adding weight to keep him interested and keep him from getting hurt. Have him keep records of his workouts to see his gains. Keep workouts to a reasonable length so he does'nt get bored. Remember the "seinfeld" when jerry's buddy tells him he should lift weights an jerry asks "why?" and his buddy can't answer him. Lifting is not for everybody sometimes. Thats cool your taking an active interest in your nephews health. hopefully he gets into lifting and picks up on the self discipline and goal setting mind set of it. Somebody here should know a good starter program.Take care, Bill
Bill Gordon
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Wayne Hill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wayne Hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/01/06 at 3:19pm
I agree with Bill that a simple workout with moderate sets and reps would be appropriate.  I'd be glad to comment on content if you tell me about your equipment and how often you'll get to work with him.

I in a first-time lifter (especially one that probably has self esteem issues) there are some important issues at play:
  • Ease into it.  Try NOT to make him sore, because it could be enough to get him discouraged.  For the first month at least, the weights should be very easy for him.  He'll still gain strength, because a large fraction of newbie gains are neurological.
  • Try to make him a form fanatic.  This will offset the (purposely) slow increase in the weights, and will form a foundation for (hopefully) a lifelong change in lifestyle.
  • Under NO circumstances should you allow him to push a maximal weight for a year, period.  The training benefit of maxing would be seriously offset by the very high likelihood of injury.
You may be surprised at how strong he is, especially in his legs.  Carrying around all that weight has probably built some muscle.  He may also gain strength very quickly, because bodyfat is anabolic (seriously).  A workout log is a great idea, partly because it gets him more involved in the process.  In a few months, he can look back at where he came from, and there's nothing that beats steady improvement.

You say he's not interested in sports, but there's nothing that motivates self-improvement like a sport.  For someone with self-esteem issues, especially a big kid, throwing is a pretty good choice:  you can do it privately and not compete until you're good and ready.

Oh, and get his parents off his back.  That could make a big difference.

-Wayne
"We may be small, but we're slow." - MIT Rugby
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G-man View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote G-man Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/01/06 at 4:04pm

Wayne and Bill - I have a basic old school barbarian gym in my basement centered around a Tuff Stuff adjustable squat rack I also have an old parabody adjustable bench and the classic redneck oly platform "a 3/4 hunk of plywood" assorted oly and standard bars some home made strongman stuff 2 inch bar, 225lbs farmerswak imps, rolling thunder soon to get some atlas stones, one side of a cable crossover (I may get the other side soon)

I agree not to have him max but if I don't how do I know where to start? I was thinking of just using some a PVC pipe at first for squats because this is a body that has never been to parallel and back. for upper body bench and push pres and curls.

Yes I agree that being in a sport would be good for him.



Edited by G-man
http://cghighlander.blogspot.com/
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kgb1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/01/06 at 5:19pm

I've trained a few kids who were in similar situations.  Some of them stuck with it, others didn't.  Not to repeat what Bill and Wayne have said above here are a few things that I found to be useful.

-first workout test the kid on a few bodyweight movements: can he do a full squat with proper form?; can he do a push and if so how many?; same with situps. This will give you and idea of what kind of shape he's in and see what kind of flexibility he has.

-emphasis proper form and compound movements

-ask yourself what lifts are you comfortable teaching/coaching.  you mention having a platform, but if you're not comfortable teaching O-lifting, don't.

-pick an exercise that is going be your "test" exercise.  Typically I'll use squat.  Test on how much weight he can do for 5 reps with proper form every 6 to 8 weeks. 

-give him some say in the workout. Typically at the end of the workout I'll have them do pushups and/or situps.  I'll give them the choice of doing either 2 sets of 25 or 1 set of 30 or 35.

-include some type of cardio work, whether it's a walk around the block or some more intense.

Rick

 

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Coach Mac View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Coach Mac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/01/06 at 6:24pm
G-man...had a dad send me a detailed training plan 6-days
on...1-day off ect. and asked for a critique...when I got to the
end of this UNBELIEVEABLE detailed plan...we were talking
about 12-year olds...Oh my God

I told him the 3-F's Principle -#1-Fun....# 2-FUN....# 3 More FUN

Try to get to the root of the 300-lb FAT Kid and make it baby
steps...!

GOOD LUCK !
Have a GREAT Day !
Rob " Coach Mac " Mac Kay
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Wayne Hill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wayne Hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/02/06 at 4:46am
An ol' buddy of Coach Mac's and mine, Mel Siff, may have been the first to point out that, although it sounds like a good idea, it's not a good idea to test an unconditioned trainee.  They already know they're in lousy shape, and testing them proves it to everybody.  This just confirms to them that they were right not to want to be there in the first place.  You may think you need a baseline from which to design a routine, but you don't:  start with ridiculously light weights, no pushups or situps, and add weight in small increments he can easily handle.

I don't see a need to test his 5RM for quite some time for the same reason.  Since Clayton will be training him, he'll know very well whether the lad is handling the weight well or not.  He shouldn't miss a rep for 6 months.

I really like the idea of PVC squats to start with, but here you should be careful to see how it goes:  even these can make him very sore.  Initially, tell him it's all about form, and that the weights don't matter at all.  Keep his heels down, flat back, and squat only as deep as flexibility allows.  Increase depth before increasing weight.

I'd suggest doing squats, pulldowns, flat bench, DL, shoulder press, and cable rows.  You might finish off with triceps extensions and curls, which are good for the ego.

For all bar lifts, the first workouts should be with a PVC or steel pipe, progressing to a bar, and finally adding plates.  For DL, support the ends of the bare bar on milk crates for a good starting height, and work on a good motion with flat back that's the same on the way down as it was on the way up.  For bench, make sure of his hand positions, retracted scapuli, touch below the nipples, and a symmetrical bar motion.

As Coach Mac points out, success depends on how fun it is for him.  Figure out how to keep it fun, and you'll change his life.

-Wayne
"We may be small, but we're slow." - MIT Rugby
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Edward View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Edward Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/02/06 at 5:33pm

G-Man,

I was that fat kid in high school.  Actually kind of fat again, too many pies and a desk job don't result in a cut physique.

That said, for me it was weight training that really turned me around, but you can't forget the cardio.  If your nephew is 300 lbs, he's probably winded on two flights of stairs.  I would recommend getting him walking and after he can manage a pretty stiff 30 to 45 minute walk get him to try a few minutes running.  Once he can huff it for a mile or more, it'll be something he holds on to.  I do.

As far as anaerobic training the most basic stuff is sit ups, push ups, pull ups and dips.  He'll probably suck at all of them to begin with.  Again though, mentally, they're something he can hold onto.

I'm not a coach and only trained from football (third string, not a hero) and many hours in the gym, so take the word of the coaches.

Just speaking up as the fat kid who turned it around.  Senior year of college I had cut to about 185 with a single digit body fat.  Really changed my attitude about who I am and what I can do.

Ed
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote damon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/04/06 at 1:39am
You'll also want to make sure he is eating right and keeping the computer/video game time to a minimum.  Any lifting routine you can get him to stick to is better than nothing and once he starts seeing some progress, he'll be more into what you're doing with him.  You'll definitely want to get him doing some conditioning work and some, I know this is a naughty word around here, cardio.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote G-man Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/04/06 at 4:25pm

I had the first training session today, the kid did great ! he is eager to learn. He did squats with PVC pipe 3*10, bench with just the bar 3*10, one hand DB presses 3*7 with 15 lbs  lunges no weight CB curls and a bunch of core work with a focus on balance. I noticed that his left arm is considerably less coordinated than his right (which is Normal for someone who has not trained) but his mother said its also because he broke his left arm when he was younger. To counter this I am going to use more dumbbells.  He already wants to use more weight but I told him he has to have better form. I will put cardio on hold till I got him hooked!!
He also said he wants to come see a highland game this summer

http://cghighlander.blogspot.com/
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BigdogEMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/04/06 at 4:59pm

Great news G man. Its good to take it slow for an newbie. If you start them like they are puting  out a forrest fire they will might not come back!

Terry Lawson

“The hard stuff we do right away, the impossible stuff takes a little longer!”
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Edward Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1/05/06 at 12:47pm

That's good news.

And don't wait 'til summer to get out to a game.  There's always one going when the weather is fine (or not).

Ed
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