“I’ve got to get to the gym.”
“I’ve got to get back to my spin class.”
“I’ve got to work out more.”
We all know it’s tough to convince ourselves to get more exercise, but when it comes to our kids, there’s a different sort of challenge at work.
Your kids are more likely to want to, say, ride a bike than just run around a track. And they may not be in a hurry to rush out and exercise with their parents.
If you’re having this trouble, we’re here to help. Writing in the Huffington Post, exercise experts Brant Secunda and Mark Allen offered these 10 family activities that can get your kids off the couch:
1. Walk The Dog
Find a dog-friendly park or trail near your home and head there with your kids. Your pooch will probably appreciate the chance to do more than just roam around in your backyard (and he or she might need the exercise too).
2. Set A Schedule
Try to plan your workouts for a time when everyone will be able/willing to do them. After school/work is a good time for both you and your kids. You all want to burn off energy after a day cooped up in the office or the classroom. You could also spend some time after dinner playing a game outdoors.
3. Choose A Mix Of Activities
Doing the same kind of exercise every day can get dull, so mix things up. Take a walk one day, but maybe go bowling the next, or work in your garden. A family that gets bored with their exercise options is not going to stay an active family.
4. Let Them Bring Some Friends
Your kids may be more inclined to join you on a hike or to go swimming if they can invite a friend or two.
5. Make It A Contest
Whenever you do a family activity, mark it on your calendar and track everyone’s progress: who won the most games, rode the most miles on their bike, etc. Keeping track can help you establish a routine, and turning your exercise into a game can make even more routine activities more fun.
6. Five-Minute Rule
If your kids are reluctant to exercise, tell them it’s just for five minutes. Five minutes is easy, and once they’re done, it won’t be difficult to turn your five-minute jog or bike ride into 10 minutes.
7. Go Outside
There’s nothing wrong with indoor exercise, but being in nature makes everyone feel better. Fresh air and sunshine are good for everyone. If you’re feeling especially hardy, embrace some wintertime activities like sledding or snowshoeing.
8. Do The Unusual
Do something you’ve never done: horseback riding, or rock climbing at a climbing gym. Introduce your kids to an old fashioned game like kick-the-can. Or do something that’s out of season, like finding an indoor pool during the winter.
9. Let Your Kids Choose
Tell your children they’re in charge of scheduling the family’s exercise activities for the week, and agree to do whatever they come up with. You can make it a weekly rotation, with every family member getting to choose that week’s exercises.
10. Start Small
Trying to do too much too fast can be discouraging, so start with something simple. Instead of everyone running a 5K, start by walking a mile. The size of the task is less important that getting exercise on a consistent basis.
Another way to get your kids active: a swing set.
Installing a backyard play set, one that allows them to jump, climb and swing on a regular basis, is an investment in your children’s health.
If you’re interested in setting up a backyard play space for your child – whether it’s swing set, trampoline or basketball hoop – contact Swingset & Toy Warehouse.
We can provide your kids with a way to get some exercise that they won’t complain about. Getting back to the gym... that’s up to you.
