the same reason as your son. Back then in the '60's weight lifting was still pretty much taboo for sports ("will make you stiff and slow"). I had no one to learn from other than my own experiences and from Joe Weider magazines when I would find them. I pretty much quit lifting about 10 years ago, but loved it while I did. I'm still in excellent health and attribute a lot to the many years of lifting. I think it's great your son (or a daughter) would want to lift weights.

These days I would first check on the internet for information. Also, check with a nearby bodybuilding or free weight gym- talk with a trainer about routines (and nutrition) to start your son out. And then workout at home like I did. Try to eat healthy and stay AWAY from refined sweets (they work your body hard too and rob you of energy). There's lots of supplements out there today, but I never ever considered steroids or any of that crap. The only supplements I ever really took regularly were protein drinks and amino acid tablets.

Basically for a 12 to 15 yo I would stress: don't do heavy (sets of 8 reps or less). Sets of 12 to 20 reps to failure should be fine, no more than 2 sets to failure per exercise (20-rep squats were murder, but I loved them). Don't swing, jerk or drop the weights around, you'll eventually injure yourself. Over the long haul you will advance the best with good form, smooth and not fast. Any injuries I had came from not getting enough rest between workouts and/or lifting "heavy" or with poor form. My every-other-day full body workouts (Mon-Wed-Fri) usually took about 45 to 60 minutes once I was in shape and pushed it. Get at least a full day of rest after a full-body workout. Use free-weights as much as you can for all exercises. I seldom had a "spotter" and had a few close calls until I got a "Smith" machine (good design ones are at ironmaster.com where I got one years ago). That's from my experience and hope that it is somewhat helpful. Good luck.