With an enormous amount of distractions children have today, time to exercise is slowly diminishing. It began with a discussion of eliminating Physical Education from local school systems and may soon lead to a decrease in children’s physical and mental health. As this becomes more of an issue today, it is critical we began to develop ways to get kids involved in exercise. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle helps keep kids free from sickness, combats obesity and can even help raise a child’s grade.
Here are some tips to get your kids involved in exercise!
1) Keep it FUN and in the Family
Set an hour each week that you focus on family fitness. Find a local trail and go for a walk, hop on your bikes and go for a ride in the neighborhood or local park, or outline a few circuits you can all try like jumping rope, jogging in place, jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, etc. The Nexersys is also ideally suited for family fitness including a child’s mode allowing children ages 14 years and below to compete in Avatar Follow Me, Avatar Sparring, and Multi-player Competition rounds.
2) Every Kid loves to be Rewarded
Plan a reward for completing the workout. Maybe there is a weekly trophy or badge that goes to the person that works the hardest during the family fitness routine. You can even set a prize like eating at a yummy but healthy restaurant to celebrate the workout.
3) Children Love to Boast
Studies have shown friendly competition teaches children life skills and develops a sharp mind. Outline at home fitness routines where there is a clear winner. Time sit-ups and crunches or challenge each other with plank holds. If you’re using the Nexersys multi-player option, you’ll each compete for the winning title. Keep the healthy competition going to make it fun.
4) Lead by Example
Let your kids see you exercising even outside of the family exercise time. Have them watch you or participate by reading off your next workout, timing your workouts or outlining what your personal fitness plan is for the week.
5) Keep it Simple
Children naturally have short attention spans so the workout needs to be simplified and short. Shorter more intense circuits or High Intensity Interval Training, has proven to burn more fat that longer periods of exercise so work together to come up with fun varied workouts.
Let family fitness time become a routine and start developing a healthy strong body and mind as a team!
