Steve Savicki
04-06-2006, 01:23 PM
Adult style exercise, like the machines and free weights, and cardio equipment at the gym, may not appeal to children or teens. Plus, young, growing bodies are often not ready for these types of workouts. Instead, encourage children to have more active fun:
1. Visit a nearby pool for a day of swimming.
2. Walk around a local zoo.
3. Shoot some hoops at a nearby park.
4. Get out the bikes or in-line skates.
5. Too around a Frisbee or football.
6. Jump rope or play hopscotch.
7. Climb on the jungle gym (different from an adult oriented gym.)
8. Sign your child up for sports teams or active classes, such as tennis, dance or gymnastics.
9. Plan an active vacation. For example, go camping and rent a rowboat.
According to the National Institutes of Health, children should work up to about 1 hour of physical activity a day. This doesn't mean they need exercise for an hour straight. Six, 10-minute active play sessions work just as well. Or even twelve, 5-minute sessions.
To make time for active play, set limits on TV watching, video games and other sedentary screen activities. Aim for no more than 2 hours of screen time a day.
You might also take active breaks in between inactive activities. For example, dance or run around during TV commercials.
Motivate your child to exercise and help him or her realize fitness can be fun!
1. Visit a nearby pool for a day of swimming.
2. Walk around a local zoo.
3. Shoot some hoops at a nearby park.
4. Get out the bikes or in-line skates.
5. Too around a Frisbee or football.
6. Jump rope or play hopscotch.
7. Climb on the jungle gym (different from an adult oriented gym.)
8. Sign your child up for sports teams or active classes, such as tennis, dance or gymnastics.
9. Plan an active vacation. For example, go camping and rent a rowboat.
According to the National Institutes of Health, children should work up to about 1 hour of physical activity a day. This doesn't mean they need exercise for an hour straight. Six, 10-minute active play sessions work just as well. Or even twelve, 5-minute sessions.
To make time for active play, set limits on TV watching, video games and other sedentary screen activities. Aim for no more than 2 hours of screen time a day.
You might also take active breaks in between inactive activities. For example, dance or run around during TV commercials.
Motivate your child to exercise and help him or her realize fitness can be fun!