Send This Site to a Friend
Exercising With Kids
Exercising With Kids -- Tips For Parents
Written by: Lynn Bode
Web Site: Workouts For You -- Exercise Programs
Making exercise a priority is a challenge for everyone. And for
parents it can be especially difficult to find time to workout
because of the full plates that they often juggle. When summer
arrives the juggling act becomes even more tricky with kids home
from school and involved in extracurricular activities.
But, finding time for regular physical activity is so important
that it should be a priority placed on your calendar, just like
your kids’ softball game. A parent needs to exercise not only for
themselves, but also for their kids benefit. It’s important to
set a good example. If your children never see you engage in
fitness or if they hear you complain about working out, then they
are going to have a negative image of exercise. Let them know
that you workout to stay healthy, to be strong and to have more
energy and stamina (so you can keep up with them)!
The big question is how to make it a priority that fits in your
schedule. Well, it’s actually easier than you may think. With a
little planning you can find ways to incorporate workouts into
the time you spend with your children. Regardless of what age
your children are, there’s a way to find time to workout (often
even with your kids)! Here are some tips based on the age of your
children.
Age: Infant through pre-school
· Fit in exercise time while they are napping. Try a home
exercise video, walking or jogging (if you have a treadmill),
jumping rope.
· Occupy them for even 15 minutes with a video or toy while you
do some toning exercises like squats and tricep dips.
· Grab your stroller and go for a brisk walk*. Or, buy a jogging
stroller for more flexibility. With a jogging stroller you can
walk faster, jog or even run at a fast pace. And, for veteran
rollerbladers, you can even use the stroller for some skating
time.
· For younger children, you can use a back carrier to transport
them while walking. This can burn even more calories as the extra
weight makes it more challenging.
· Turn on some music and dance together. Toddlers love dancing,
especially when their parents joins in.
· Push your kid on a swing. And, after every push complete one
squat.
· Use an infant carrier or bike trailer to enjoy a bike ride
together.
Age: Grade School
· Try rollerblading or skating together.
· Spend an afternoon at a park with a playground, but don’t spend
the whole time relaxing on the sidelines – join in on the fun.
Spend some time swinging to help workout your legs. Try making it
across the monkey bars – even just once (it’s a great upper body
workout and you’ll be amazed that your kid does it with such
little ease). Try some pull-ups using a bar on the playset. Do
some tricep dips on a nearby park bench.
· Play catch with a ball or get a small group together for a
kickball or softball game.
· Make Saturdays family bike outing day.
· Involve your kids while you strength train. Let them count your
reps out loud for you and/or clock your rest time in-between
sets.
· For pool outings, don’t just spend time soaking up the sun.
Walk back and forth in shallow water while your kids have fun
splashing about.
· On rainy days that force you inside, walk or run up and down
the stairs. You might even make it a contest to see who can
finish 5 complete rounds first.
Age: Teenagers
· Register for a fun run (or walk) event and spend time together
training for the event.
· Purchase a family gym membership and workout together weekly.
· Play tennis or basketball together.
· Consider joining a community volleyball or softball team that
includes enthusiasts of all ages.
· Don’t just sit and cheer your kids at their sporting events.
Every few minutes do some walking or jumping jacks or squats.
· Implement a daily family walk each day before or after dinner.
· Work together in the yard raking leaves, planting flowers,
trimming trees.
So, with all the above recommendations, you no longer have the
“I’m a parent – I don’t have time to workout” excuse. If you
implement these activities for just 30 minutes three times per
week, you can easily burn an extra 450 calories or more! Plus,
working out sets a great example for your children that will
teach them at an early age how important (and easy) it is to make
physical fitness a part of daily life. Exercising with your kids
also provides the extra bonus of spending quality time together.
*For a complete stroller workout plan, visit:
http://www.workoutsforyou.com/stoller_plan.htm
Lynn Bode, author and certified personal trainer, offers her
services online through WorkoutsForYou.com. Workouts For You
provides affordable online exercise programs to help even the
busiest of people lose weight, tone-up, build muscles, increase
stamina and more via the Internet. Let us guide you one-on-one
through your fitness journey.
Find More Related Info:
Also See: