Now more than ever, we realize how important gym class and sports are for our children. Over the past year, we have not been able to provide all of the activities that they (and frankly, we as the parents) were used to.
Like adults, kids need to be physically active to stay healthy. And, unfit kids are at risk for cardiovascular and chronic diseases, as well as psychological disorders.
Luckily, you can help buck the trend with the help of SPENGA. We are launching our second session of Kids Sessions on Tuesdays at 5 pm on March 9, 16, 23 + April 6, 13. At $10/session, your kids will engage in all three pillars of fitness: cardiovascular, strength and flexibility.
Here are 8 tips to help get your kids to move more and sit less (thanks to author Brittany Cordeiro from an MD Anderson blog publication).
- Be a role model. Your children watch and mimic your habits, good and bad. If your kids see you being physically active and having fun, they’re more likely to be active and stay active throughout their lives. We also offer a Kids’ Room at the studio on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 AM so they can play while you WERK. (cost $5/kid)
- Use exercise as transportation. Walk your kids to school, bike to visit friends or roller skate to the park. You also can park at the far end of parking lots and take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Involve the whole family. Invite everyone to participate in activities. Take the dog for a walk or go for a group run.
- Focus on fun. Kids like to have fun, so they’re more likely to keep exercising if they’re doing an activity they enjoy. Turn on music and have a dance party, or pack in lots of walking during trips to the zoo, park or miniature-golf course.
- Make activity social. Invite your kids' friends to join the activity. They will be more likely to join in if a friend does.
- Use competition as a motivator. Make it a contest between you and the kids to see who can run faster, or do more push-ups or jumping jacks. Give the winner a prize. And, use technology such as a pedometer to track your results and progress.
- Include kids in household activities. Many household chores, like washing the dog or the car, or mowing the lawn, are great opportunities to sneak in a little physical activity.
- Give gifts that promote physical activity. Rollerblades, bicycles, ice skates, soccer balls and even active-play video games make great gifts that promote physical activity. Activity-tracking apps and technologies also are fun choices for kids.
