Exercise – with your kids
MODERN children, with exposure to more screen time and access to several technological devices, more or less spend most of their time in the same place. Successive research has found that more children are now more fascinated the virtual reality courtesy of their new tablets or their remote-controlled fire trucks than they are with the outdoors, which has encouraged a sedentary lifestyle in children.
But personal trainer at Express Fitness, Liguanea, Gisel Harrow, said that parents can help their children not only by reducing screen time but by including them in their own fitness journey.
“With the fitness industry’s innovative and convenient modifications, one can exercise anywhere using minimal to no equipment so you don’t even have to worry much about your child even becoming jealous of your fancy gym equipment or accessories,” Harrow said.
Below she notes a few activities that parents could try with their children.
1. Use YouTube or dance exercise videos
Invite your child to get involved in exercise routines, make sure that there is music or tunes that the child will enjoy, and will have fun dancing doing simple, manageable exercises.
2. Invite them to help with chores
Get children involved with chores whether it is folding or helping to carry laundry, or assistance with the outdoors such as watering the plants or raking the yard. This encourages being physically active.
3. When going for walks or a ride, take your child with you
Whether it’s before dinner or early morning, you can take your child along with you for a walk or biking.
4. Use children as weights
Whether it is for hand curls, donkey back squats, push-ups or crocodile crawls, you can use a small child on your back for added weight. Remember to tell your children to hang on tight and only use children for exercises that are safe. Keep soft cushions nearby for additional safety.
5. Start family sporting competitions
Children are in love with the idea of winning, so at home parents can have their own monthly or quarterly family sports hours. Do group activities such as jogging, egg and spoon, jump rope, frog jump and other fun exercises. Make sure that each child is rewarded for their participation.
6. Play with animals together
Instead of having your dog sit in the yard all day, take it out for a walk or play with it in the backyard. Little games using the frisbee or other toys can cause both you and the child to work up a sweat.
