Recommendations for youth sports strength training are affected by the debate for and against that exists among the medical community, sports community and parenting community. The argument against strength training, especially for kids under 12 years old holds that strength training, especially weight lifting, will damage growth plates causing injury and abnormal bone development. More recent studies suggest strength training, if done properly, has significant benefits including improved performance and resistance to injury. In this post we present more details on these arguments and specific recommendations from the Council of Youth Sports and Medical Fitness.