Body-Building Children

[SoDesuKa]

Today's New York Post has a picture and an article about 12-year old Richard Sandrak, who has been a body-builder since he was 6. His parents are physical culture enthusiasts - his father is a martial arts champion and his mother is an aerobics instructor. Young Richard's favorite celebrity is Arnold Schwarzeneggar.

I don't know if children should be encouraged to enter body-building competitions. It doesn't seem like it's good for their young bodies. It also looks like exploitation.


Richard Sandrak


See also www.RichardSandrak.com

[Beware the Beast Man]

1. Yes, I've seen this kid before.

Sad. What ever happened to letting a kid be a kid?

[Spider Jerusalem]

2. Bodybuilding is the most pointless, stupid "sport" in existence.

And that kid is probably going to have some seriously fucked up bone and joint issues after he hits puberty.

[Cobalt Violet]

22. No, football is.

[Sandpiper]

3. Seems like the sort of thing that would stunt a kid's growth

But, I'm no expert.

[jpgray]

4. That looks like a photoshop hack job

Creepy.

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

5. I've seen this kid on Inside Edition.

It's a little bizarre if you ask me.

[madison2000]

6. That is just plain icky

Its almost like the JonBenet beauty pageant pictures- sexualizing a young child. He looks out of proportion.

[Spangle]

8. He sure does!

I thought he would just be "begining" or doing "light" training. But this is serious training. No, I don't think it's healthy for a boy that young to be doing that. The serious guys do some major risky diets, etc.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

16. Yeah... definitely creepy. n/t

[Twillig]

25. looks like he has the Giant Head Syndrome

of a steroid user?

Jeebus I hope not.

[jeff30997]

7. Some peoples are not qualified to be parents.

That's sick.

[salvorhardin]

9. I agree with the other poster

That's too creepy.

BTW: Great username! :-)

[livinginphotographs]

10. There's some serious health issues going on there....

My dad made me lift weights when I was younger, but he had always said that 12 is the earliest age you should start.

That kid will have some serious bone problems when he gets older, mark my words.

[Taverner]

11. For this kid, its mainly genetics

Most 12 year olds dont get this definition, and call me optimisitic but I doubt he's dosing. Hence, it has to be genetics.

More and more studies these days are showing lifting isnt as bad for younger atheletes as once thought, so he should go for it.

[Cobalt Violet]

24. It's probably healthier than obesity. n/t

[Wat_Tyler]

12. The parents should be shot.

[Rabrrrrrr]

13. Lordy lordy, that boy's gonna need a lot of therapy

Assuming he doesn't end up murdering his parents in a steroid-driven rage at age 14 after he realizes how much the weightlifting they forced on him has fucked up his body and it's body to enter puberty and exit succesfully, and gets the electric chair for it in Shrubbie's Brave New World Order that thinks executing children is something to giggle about.

His parents should be fined, and he should be allowed to go into foster care somewhere far away from them.

[Fenris]

14. Hey! A leprechaun!

[Misunderestimator]

20. I hate to admit I had a similar thought.... LOL

but in all seriousness, I feel sorry for the kid. That pic is just creepy.

[LDS Jock]

15. is this fitness celebrity John Basedow's son?

kinda creep like him

[WindRavenX]

17. ugh

Children's bodies are not able to deal with this...very sad.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

18. There is a lot of flabby flab in this thread.

Get off your butt and lift something heavy many times.

[nicolemrw]

19. oh man thats way creepy

i really wish i hadn't seen it.

[madison2000]

21. His face looks younger than 12, his body looks older

Aside from the health questions, I'd hate to think what goes through a pedophiles mind when they see a picture of a child who looks like an adult.

[terrya]

23. I can see teenagers getting into bodybuilding.

And there are, I believe, bodybuilding contests for teens (late teens)

But 12 year olds? That just isn't right.

[nickgutierrez]

26. No better than beauty pagents for little girls.

And equally creepy.

[Nikia]

27. That isn't safe

I always heard that it isn't safe to do serious lifting until puberty. Obviously six was way too young for him to start.