Youth Inc. Recommends: Five Resources for Safe Weight Cutting in Wrestling

For many parents and potential wrestlers, the prospect and dangers of cutting weight often stop people from entering the sport of wrestling. However, if done correctly, weight cutting can be manageable and a learning experience for later wrestling competition.

Here are five sources that address cutting weight smartly and can be used by both parents and wrestlers as they begin their wrestling journey. 

Wrestlers: Tips on Losing Weight Safely - Avoiding Risky Weight Loss Behaviors

What it is: The Children’s Hospital Colorado compiles an article immediately addressing the unhealthy but standard practice of weight cutting and providing healthier alternatives. 

 Why we like it: This is something all parents and wrestlers should take into account when starting their journey into the sport. The article dispels the dangers of weight cutting with dehydration and extreme caloric reduction, instead providing healthier alternatives such as strength training and smaller, more frequent meals that make weight cutting more approachable for parents and the wrestler. 

Wrestlers’ Diet: A Healthy Guide to Weight Control 

 What it is: This is an extensive article dispelling harmful weight-cutting practices in order to create a more tailored and specific weight-cutting plan for wrestlers. 

 Why we like it: This article acknowledges that weight cutting is not a one-size-fits-all practice for wrestlers. Specifically, the article emphasizes a tailored approach for each wrestler, stating that knowing percent body fat and minimum body fat are essential to finding a wrestler's “ideal wrestling weight” rather than an arbitrary weight class they are instructed to cut down to. 

Tips for a Healthy Weight Loss

 What it is: This article spends as much time breaking down the “wrong way” to cut weight in comparison to the “right way”, along with scientific facts and evidence as to why the “wrong way” is harmful. 

 Why we like it: The time spent dispelling and providing factual evidence on the adverse effects of the “wrong way” of weight cutting is essential to both wrestlers and parents.  It’s easy to see someone say something is “wrong” and simply not take their word, but providing evidence as to why the “wrong way” is harmful goes a long way towards educating on the adverse effects of poor weight cutting. 

How to Cut Weight for Wrestling - 5 Diet Tips for Athletes 

What it is: This is an informational video on the performance impact that cutting weight has on a wrestler. It also emphasizes food consumption, both before and after weigh-ins, during a weight cut.

Why we like it: An experienced wrestler goes into detail on cuts, again emphasizing the individuality of weight cuts and the importance of wrestlers knowing their own bodies rather than following advice given to everyone. The video also touches on specific diet plans rather than starvation, which is also extremely important. Finally, the video talks about weigh-ins themselves, providing valuable insights for wrestlers who may not have experienced these yet. 

How to Cut Weight Correctly in Wrestling - Dos and Do Nots 

What it is: A relatively short video from a wrestler talking about their own experiences of weight cutting while providing their “Dos” and “Do Nots” 

Why we like it: This is an easy-to-watch video in which the information about weight cutting is broken down into digestible bites. In addition, the “Do Nots” in the process are often followed up with a “Do,” giving safe and healthy alternatives for standard weight-cutting technique.