My Gym: Start on your Feet

Keeping fit through walking is something we tend to associate with elderly people and invalids who don't have many other options. It may sound odd to suggest that walking can be a good form of children's exercise, but that's part of why it matters - because it shouldn't seem like exercise, it should become a part of day to day life.

Most people take up exercise routines at some point in life, and most people break them. It can be hard to stick to a routine when going through changes in life, hard to find time for a structured exercise session within a busy schedule. Walking is something we can do all the time. We may be able to walk to and from school or work; or walk to the shops; or take a stroll on a quiet day to enjoy some fresh air.

But most of us rarely do these things. We get used to using cars when we're children and we stick with them all our lives, using our legs as little as possible. This is one of the leading causes of ill health and obesity. We're simply not using our bodies the way we're meant to.

Getting into the habit of walking when young is a great way to establish healthy life patterns which will stick. But walking for children isn't the same as it is for adults. Simply being smaller, children have to work a lot harder to keep up. This means that, for young children, walking can be quite an energetic form of exercise. For this reason you should plan walks to include rest stops, giving your children a chance to recover and making sure that they don't find the experience unpleasant. Let them set the pace.

Walking is an ideal form of children's exercise because it keeps them it whilst getting them into good habits. It's also something you can do together, giving you quality time in which to bond with your child.

Labels: childrens, fitness, kids