My Gym: Kids get Fit with Hula Hoops

Adult exercise and children's exercise are two different things. Adults can enjoy running, swimming or working out for its own sake. Children need a reason (competing for a prize, beating a record, etc.) or they need the activity itself to be fun. It's hard for them to focus on long term goals such as losing weight or reducing the chance of a heart attack in forty years' time. They need to be motivated by the prospect of an immediate reward - or, still better, by the fact that the exercise they're doing is fun at the time.

There are many different fads in children's exercise. Some of these last only for a season, and some come and go, experiencing a new burst of popularity with each generation. One form of exercise which has undying appeal is hula dancing. It' something even small children can learn to do well, and it's lots of fun.

Modern hula hoops come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Some are day-glo and some even have flashing lights. Make sure you find one which will appeal to your child's taste. You should also make sure you purchase one of the appropriate size - smaller versions are available for young children. It's easiest if you also have one you can use yourself so you can show your child how it's done. Don't worry if you're not very good at it - your child will be thrilled to find an activity at which they can out-do you.

Traditional challenges involving hula hoops include how many times one can swing the body to keep the hoop moving (without dropping it), how long one can keep it moving for, and how many hoops one can move at once. As hula hoops are cheap, you won't have to invest a lot of money if your child wants to expand on this hobby. It's a simple but very effective form of exercise which burns up energy, improves co-ordination, builds up the leg muscles and provides guaranteed fun.

Labels: childrens, exercise, kids