Make Fitness Fun For Kids

With increasing concerns over childhood obesity, excess Internet use, and other issues, parents can benefit their kids by making fitness fun.

Most kids don’t have the foresight or self-discipline to commit to an exercise program. Adults see the long-term benefits that come from the commitment. Kids don’t. But young people have lots of natural energy and always want to enjoy themselves. Making fitness an exercise in having fun, rather than fulfilling a needed duty, is key to getting them into a healthy lifestyle.

There are many safe and creative ways to do that.

One way not to achieve that goal is to emulate or even just scale down an adult fitness routine. Weight machines and some other devices are fine for older kids and teens. But for the younger crowd the risks generally outweigh any possible gain.

Parents even overdo sports sometimes. More than one stern father has been observed forcing a six year old boy to swing bat after bat to hit a softball. More than one soccer mom has encouraged her daughter to run for hours to become the next pro.

Such goal-setting is inappropriate. Young children’s bones are still soft and pliable. Their muscles have not developed physiologically to the point they can endure long workouts. Keeping the activity within reasonable range is as important for health as is keeping them active.

How to do that?

Swimming is one way. Even two year old children can be taught to swim under supervision. By the time a child reaches the age of six he or she can become quite a little dolphin. When the teen years are reached, they can be close to competing with Olympic champions. Work up to it gradually, and keep it fun.

Soccer, baseball, and other traditional sports are great activities, as well, provided they’re practiced within the bounds discussed above. Gymnastics, too, is a terrific way to get kids active while providing ample opportunity for enjoyment. Not for nothing is it so popular with kids of all ages.

All these activities combine good physical effort with clear goals. Rising to the challenge of meeting those goals, and the pride that comes from achieving them, is a big part of the reward to kids. They enjoy testing themselves, developing and honing their skills, and seeing results from their efforts. That adds a healthy mental aspect to the excellent physical components.

The benefits are many, including a fit body and a well-functioning immune system. The lymph system, unlike the circulatory system for example, relies on movement to work well since there’s no heart to pump fluid through it. When kids burn calories, just as with adults, they keep trim and tune the body. Use it or lose it applies to them as much as it does to adults.

Good habits start young. It’s much easier to develop them when the activities are not a chore but a joy. Exercise some mental creativity and your kids will be exercising their bodies in no time.

Kristy Lee Wilson

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