Danish children as young as nine turning to weight training in growing numbers

A new survey reveals that more than one in four Danish children aged 9 to 14 now engage in weight training at least once a week, a trend that has raised concerns among child welfare advocates, DR reports.

The Epinion poll, conducted for DR Ultra Status, found that 27% of children in this age group regularly lift weights—often outside traditional organized sports. Mirjam Marie Westh, a child and youth specialist at Børns Vilkår (Children’s Welfare), called the findings alarming, questioning who is guiding these young trainees.

“Who is advising them—social media influencers or role models they encounter in gyms?” Westh asked. “We need to ensure children understand what constitutes safe, age-appropriate training.”

The shift away from team sports toward gym-based workouts mirrors earlier research by Børns Vilkår, which showed older children increasingly abandoning club sports for individual weight training. Thomas Jørgensen, a physiotherapist at ProTreatment, warned that improper technique—especially with external weights—risks joint damage in growing bodies.

“Children this age should focus on bodyweight exercises,” Jørgensen advised. “And ideally, they should combine strength training with team sports to build social connections.”

Nearly half of the young weightlifters surveyed rely on tips from social media videos, yet one in four struggle to judge the reliability of online advice. Westh noted that platforms often promote unrealistic body ideals, leaving children chasing unattainable standards.

“They’re bombarded with narrow definitions of the ‘perfect body,’” she said. “We must help them navigate both the content they consume and the communities they join.”