Physical workouts and fitness exercises are an integral part of keeping healthy across all stages of life. Research shows that lifelong exercise habits are good for the mind and body, especially kids. The challenge becomes sneaking in proper workouts for your kids to their already sedentary routine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocates for regular physical activity in kids that will improve cardiorespiratory fitness, stronger bones and joints, increased flexibility, and reduced risk of developing health conditions. The CDC recommends at least an hour of aerobic exercise plus an hour of bone and muscle strengthening exercises three times a week.
Here are five ways to ease your child into the world of fitness.
1. Find Family-Friendly Gyms Around You
Gyms that allow kids to tag along with their parents present an excellent chance for you to introduce your children to fitness and strength training. Access to the gym floor and weight room is often age-restricted till the age of thirteen.
However, most fitness centers in Texas have kid spaces with indoor jungle gyms that allow your kids to climb, jump and tumble to their desires as you focus on your barbell strength training. You may also inquire about age-appropriate group fitness classes for your teen from your local gym.
2. Make It Fun
Exercise should not be formal and boring. Forcing them to work out will put them off from the beginning. Join them in some cardiovascular and strength training exercises such as jogging, push-ups, and lunges. Create a healthy competition where you let them win to motivate them. Creating a happy atmosphere can keep them interested in fitness even as adults.
3. Lead by Example
Children mimic and learn a lot from what adults do. Your teenage child watching you use a variety of equipment can learn the best way to handle them. Let your kid tag along as you head to the fitness center to help create a routine for them. Your child may start to mimic you or request to join you. At this point, you may start searching for kid-friendly gyms that you can sign up for.
4. Choose Kid-Friendly Exercises
HIIT, high-intensity interval training exercises for adults last approximately 30 minutes. Your child cannot and shouldn’t manage that. Kids with different physiques, stamina, and age have specific exercises that they can handle at that specific age.
For equipment exercises, restrict them to basic lifts to avoid overworking their muscles and bodies. You can build upon this foundation as they grow older. Study your child and determine what’s best for them.
5. Establish a Regular Routine
To make it stick, you may need to ensure that your child’s fitness is part of your family schedule. Your kid may come to accept and expect a trip to the fitness center for some jungle gym play or brisk walks for a couple of evenings every week.
Your children may require regular exercise to maintain good health and fitness. While tagging along to the gyms may be an excellent introduction, they may not be ready for the equipment. Join them in kid-friendly activities to make it fun and establish a family routine to help them stick to it.