Kids seem to have endless energy and exercise can be a great way to help your kids develop healthy lifestyle habits while burning through some of their extra energy. Before starting any exercise routine, make sure to check with your child’s doctor to ensure they’re ready to start getting active through regular exercise. Your child’s doctor may even have some recommendations for their favorite kid-friendly exercises you can try as a family.
If you’re ready to start exercising as a family, this means exercising with your kids as well. Working out together as a family can build a strong team and help your kids see that fitness is fun, not a chore! There are plenty of at-home workouts, outdoor exercises, and even gym-focused workouts you may enjoy as a family.
How Much Exercise Does My Child Need Daily?
For kids ages 6-17, it is recommended to get at least 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day. This can include things like running, climbing, and even jumping. Luckily, you don’t need to keep your kids focused on one exercise for 60 minutes at a time. You can help them enjoy short bursts of exercise or quick exercises throughout the day to help them reach at least 60 total minutes of exercise each day. [1]
For children under the age of 6, it is still recommended to keep them active. Luckily, kids in this age group usually have no shortage of running, playing, and exercise in their normal routines. Make sure to encourage fitness for young children by giving them space to play, whether that’s at a playground, park, or your own backyard.
Fun Exercises for Kids
When exercising with kids, your normal routine may not be best for their abilities and age. It’s important to choose exercises that are safe for kids. For example, light yoga can be an awesome 30-minute workout for kids. Other popular kid-friendly exercises include:
- Push-ups
- Running
- Crab walks
- Side leg raises
- Squats
- Planking
The key for exercising with kids is to make it fun. Turning any exercise into a game, such as seeing who can crab walk the farthest or who can do the most squats, makes it more enjoyable for kids to exercise. Simple games like tag can be great for quick bursts of exercise as well.
Tips for Kids’ Workouts
Before beginning your workout routine, it’s best to get a proper fitness assessment to identify your goals and opportunities for improved fitness. The same goes for your kids, you should work with a personal trainer or your child’s doctor to identify their opportunities in fitness. Some kids may need to build strength while others may benefit from stronger cardio activities. Consult the experts to help design some great exercises that will help your whole family.
With your affordable gym membership, you may be able to bring your kids to the gym with you too! So what are you waiting for? Get the whole family into the swing of things with awesome workouts that everyone can enjoy.
Sources:
1- ChooseMyPlate – How Much Physical Activity is Needed?
