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Lead By Example, Help Your Kids Learn How To Exercise Properly
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June 23, 2008
Remember when you were young, you could play all day and wake up the next morning without any soreness. And I am sure you remember it was much easier to keep weight off. Children and teenagers are just naturally more flexible, they have a higher metabolic rate and a lot of energy to burn. To help them continue to build strength and not become overweight, it’s important they follow some type of exercise program.
In today’s world with PlayStation, Xbox and all the other electronic gizmos, children and teenagers tend to exercise less than they should. But these are the growing years that lay the groundwork for what will eventually become either a healthy or poor lifestyle in terms of eating and exercising.
Young people are likely to become bored more quickly trying to follow exercise programs designed for adults. Nothing will bore a child more quickly than 30 minutes on a treadmill or elliptical machine. A basketball game with friends, bicycle riding, martial arts, swimming are all choices that kids would likely make.
If you are encouraging your children to exercise, and have not already done so, you should set the example and begin an exercise program. Not only will it show your child that exercise is important, but it will also allow you to share quality time with your son or daughter. Plus, when they are spending time with you, they are staying out of trouble and hopefully, learning how to exercise safely.
Like anything a child does, they prefer it to be fun. If you force your child to engage in activities they find a boring, they’re very likely to quit exercising. Keep it simple and keep it fun. It is important that your children understand the need to warm up and stretch before engaging in any type of activity. Even though they are more flexible than you are, a little stretching will go a long way in avoiding injury.
Obviously the age of your child should dictate what type of exercise program they began.
Children in the age range of 3 to 7 are better served if they focus on activities that develop basic physical skills. It is during these years that the child’s motor skills and eye-hand coordination are going through the greatest development. Children typically learn these activities very easily and include jumping rope, hopscotch, pogo stick and other simple exercises that aid in the development of these skills.
Children in the age range of 8 to about 12 or 13 should perform exercises that are more intense keeping their metabolic rate fast so food does not turn into fat. Again, it is your responsibility to help your child develop good exercise habits so they avoid injury. Children in this age range should also avoid weight machines. They can be dangerous and at this young age, are really not necessary.
Gymnastics is an excellent choice for children in this age category. Gymnastics is great for building on the basic motor skills learned at an early age. It also helps in the development of greater strength and balance.
As your child becomes a teenager, they will now have developed a sense of what they want to do in terms of exercise. Your son may choose to lift weights, play football, soccer, baseball, etc. and some may choose to do all of those activities. Your daughter may choose to play softball, further develop gymnastic skills or perhaps become a dancer. If you help your children develop consistent, safe exercise habits when they are younger, those lessons will carry them well into their adult life.
Mike Conley is an accomplished Webmaster and publisher of http://www.physical-fitness-and-health-articles.com/ where he provides information on fitness and a healthy lifestyle. We encourage you to crab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and see what Mike has to say on the subject.
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