My Gym: Children’s Exercise Do's and Don'ts

We all know that it is important for us to get enough exercise in our lives and the same rule applies to our children. Children also need fitness to be included in their young lives. For most adults we choose to run out to our local gym or take up jogging.

We know where we can go, what we can do to include exercise in our lives, but where and what exercise is for our children. There are three things to keep in mind with children’s exercise, Fun, Safety, and Effectiveness. Here are the do's and don'ts that go along with each of these.

Fun is key to keeping a child interested in any thing from school, chores and exercise. If a child is not enjoying themselves, unlike and adult, children will not push themselves to participate in an un-enjoyable activity. If your child tells you that he or she no longer wants to play soccer since it’s not fun, what should you do?

Do ask your child why it’s not enjoyable, since it may be resolved.

Don't push them to continue the sport if your child really is unhappy with it. Allow your child to try an activity for a trial period and if her or she doesn't enjoy it try something different. If they enjoy the exercise related activity they will stick to it. If not your child will be ready to kiss that sport or activity good-bye.

We hear it and say "Safety first". And it is very important no matter the exercise children involve themselves in. If it were a sport such as football you wouldn't send them out to play without their padded equipment. If your child were participating in gymnastics at a local children's gymnasium franchise, you wouldn't just let them up on a balance beam alone with an unpadded surface beneath them.

We have to be sure that exercise is safe so that the exercise is not only fun but is in no way a danger to the child. Do make sure your child wears protective gear and follows all safety rules with their exercise activity.

Don't let them talk their way out of protective gear or safety. If your friends don't think your helmet is cool so be it. Your friends can't think anything is cool if they were injured due to being unsafe.

Lastly exercise should be effective. A child does not have to spend hours on an elliptical machine or lift free weights for a half an hour. These activities are effective for adults but can be harmful to children. With the way the body is growing and changing in a youth weight training is not recommended.

Children should just have fun running around and expelling energy. Sports, swimming, hiking and biking are all exercise related activities that are all of the above, fun, safe and effective. Do encourage your children to try new exercise activities and do cheer them on with their choice.

Don't pressure your child to do an activity just because you think it is a good choice. Keep this in mind and you and your child will be both happy and healthy.

Labels: activities, childrens, exercise, gymnasium