Five Ways to Exercise with your Kids

As we try to squeeze exercise into our daily routines, we forget about the kids. Children need twice as much exercise as adults. It’s important for their heart health to get cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week. Get the kids off the couch and moving again with a few activities that get the whole family involved.

1. Take a walk

An after dinner jaunt around the neighborhood gets everyone’s metabolism going. Discuss the events of each person’s day to pass the time. Talking while walking will ensure that your heart rate has not risen above the recommended level. If you can talk and exercise without getting winded, then you are still within your target heart rate zone. As often as you can, at least three times a week, take part in a group walk.

2. Clean that room!

Ever notice how messy a kid’s room can get? All it takes is a few days and the floor is barely visible. Want to get your kids moving? Help them clean their room. If you don’t believe that you can break a sweat, give it a try. Those quadriceps and hamstring muscles will get a workout picking up clothes and toys and such. Shift a bed or a dresser and the bicep muscles will join the fun. Be careful that you don’t end up doing all the work. This is a parent-child exercise.

3. Go to the park

On any Saturday that the family has a few free hours together, head to the nearest public park. If you have scooters or in-line skates, bring them along. My youngest son brings his skateboard. The bigger parks have paddleboats and hiking trails. Make sure there are plenty of activities for everyone. An outing at the park can help increase everyone’s physical fitness.

4. Play video games

Kids vegetate in front of game systems on the weekend which gives their bodies no physical benefit whatsoever. The next time they want a new game try an interactive video game. These games use virtual reality technology to integrate the player into the game. Virtual games available include snowboarding, dancing, boxing, track and field, and baseball. Use the living room and clear space for set-up. The entire family participates in a form of exercise that both will find fun and interesting.

5. Take a class

A couple of years ago my kids and I enrolled in a karate class. Since we were all beginners, we were in the same class. It gave us something in common. We could practice together outside of class and help each other to improve. If karate is not your thing, try swimming or some other type of class. The particular activity is not as important as the physical benefit and camaraderie it produces.

Remember, kids need exercise, too. Good health is essential at every age. Make it a family affair and get healthy together.

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