Hitting The Gym Comes With Risks For Teens

RYE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Fitness experts applaud the new trend of teenagers hitting the gym in larger numbers. But they say parents should stay alert for danger signs of teen training.

As CBS2's Lou Young reported, with summer upon us, the teens of suburbia are spending more time at the gym.

"Some kids go to New York Sports Club; some go to Equinox, said Chloe Malusha, 16.

And some go to the YMCA.

Grant Howard, 13, has multiple training goals, some of them healthy.

"It gets me ready for sports. I can be a better athlete. I can beat up my little brother," he joked.

The truth is he and his 12-year-old brother are training together under orders from their father.

"It's not about getting big and muscular, at least not at this stage," their dad, Mark Howard, said. "We're really trying to get a lifestyle of fitness, getting regular activity."

Teenage goals change, though, rather quickly.

"Girls want to lose weight. Guys want to get muscle," said Greta Manieker, 16.

And it is possible for enthusiasm to take over. Too much gym can become a health hazard.

"If a kid starts losing a lot of weight, if they're prone to injuries, if they're starting to lose sleep, those are some of the symptoms that you can see of somebody who's actually overtraining," said Laura Tiedge of the Rye YMCA.

Fitness professionals insist, though, the biggest problem is undertraining, so much so, that the Y has special machines to keep teens engaged -- games of agility and exertion.

They even have video game consoles that will only work while the stationary bike pedals are moving.

Just as with adults, when kids exercise, it's about the right amount of moderation and motivation, the experts say.

Although there is some difference of opinion, many gyms discourage free weights for any child under 14 or the use of dietary supplements.