Does Lifting Weights Stunt a Young Athlete's Growth?

No — according to Squat University's Dr. Aaron Horschig, strength training does not stunt growth in young athletes. The caption on this clip states it plainly: "No, this won't stunt her growth," referencing athlete @biancaocando.18 as the example. This directly counters a long-standing parental worry that lifting weights during adolescence will interfere with a child's natural growth process. Horschig, a physical therapist and strength specialist known for his work on movement, pain, and performance, presents this as a myth worth correcting rather than a risk worth avoiding.

Parents and coaches often worry about youth strength training because of a persistent myth linking weightlifting to growth plate damage or stunted height. This fear has circulated for decades, even though it isn't backed by the kind of evidence Squat University typically points to in its content on injury prevention and performance. The creator's short, confident caption — "No, this won't stunt her growth" — is a direct response to that exact concern, aimed at putting it to rest for anyone watching a young athlete train.

The clip highlights athlete @biancaocando.18 as a positive example, with Squat University calling out "great work" in the caption. While the transcript itself is just background music playing during the clip and doesn't detail specific exercises or coaching cues, the framing — praising the athlete's effort alongside the growth-myth debunk — signals that properly supervised training is the message, not training intensity for its own sake.