Over the past several years, weightlifting and eating healthy have become more popular than ever, especially among teenagers. For decades, your parents and their parents before them have heard “lifting will stunt your growth.” Is this true? Is this the side effect everyone’s been looking for, the reason not to exercise?

No, this has been dismissed scientifically. There is no effect on growth plates from exercising. In fact, it can strengthen bones and support growth. 

“I think it can lead to a lot of judgment for people who don’t have the same interests” said Junior Aidan Horsley.

“In my opinion, a lot of people who go to the gym judge people who don’t” said Senior Brooks Jorgensen.

So is this the side effect? Does going to the gym inflate egos? Does it make someone think worse of other people? Not necessarily, there has been no scientific proof that exercise inflates egos. There has however, been studies that show it increases confidence and mental health. However, it would be ridiculous to claim no one has ever been judgmental, after all, both of those quotes agreed almost perfectly.

“I think it can be easy to forget not everyone has as much free time as you, not everyone can choose exactly what they eat, not everyone can afford a gym membership, and at the end of the day, not everyone cares to exercise” said Senior Zach Madsen.

Taking care of your health is an incredibly important thing. But it is just as important to treat others well. So it’s important to understand not everyone has the luxury of choosing exactly what they eat and what they do, some people are focused on just having something to eat and somewhere to stay.