[Stardust]

Conditioning, absolutely. Weight lifting, no way.

Conditioning is something that can be performed with minimal harm to one's body.

Weight lifting at that age is very dangerous. First off, a youth is just at the beginning stages of puberty. Growth Plastes are expanding at the last possible time for that person. Yo9u run the risk of permanant injury if the child is not mature enough.

A simple pediatrician check-up can tell you if your child's growth plates have closed. Once closed, then there is minimal damage that can be done as long as proper technique is used.

There certainly are MS athletes mature enough, but these are alos the athletes who are done growing for the most part as well. I guess I would hope that my child cannot lift during their middle school years, because that is a sign that they are virually done maturing/growing. They are as tall as they are going to get.