Fun Family Fitness

The American Council on Exercise recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise a day for optimum health.  But when you have kids, it is often difficult to fit in an exercise session with all of your other responsibilities.

And parents aren’t the only ones who could benefit from regular exercise.  Exercise increases bone and muscle strength, improves cardiovascular endurance, and helps maintain flexibility in both adults and children.

Children who exercise can prevent and control certain illnesses, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

Additionally, children who exercise regularly sleep better and handle stress better.

As difficult as it may be to fit exercise into your daily routine, there are ways to exercise when you have kids -- and even exercise with them.

Family Friendly Gyms:

The YMCA has a long standing tradition of providing families with safe places to exercise. Adults can enjoy group fitness classes and other amenities while children can participate in fitness related activities like swim clubs, and sports leagues. Other gyms also offer child care and children’s activities, including child-sized fitness equipment, to give parents time to catch up on exercise.

The cost of the gym membership depends on which facility you choose, and the area in which you live. Some gyms have a one-time initiation fee in addition to their monthly dues. Some facilities also offer sliding rates, and discount coupons, for low-income families.

Family Fitness Outings:

Walking is one of the easiest and most affordable forms of exercise available. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes and comfortable clothing. If your child is stroller-aged, you can use the stroller to provide extra resistance and increase your workout intensity. You can map your walking path around your neighborhood, in a nearby park or hiking trail, or through a mall during inclement weather. You can also graduate from walking, to jogging, to running.

Other family-friendly activities include Frisbee golf, tennis, and golf. Some of these activities might require special equipment or membership fees. However, many recreation commissions and parks services offer municipal tennis and golf courses, and some include equipment rental. Contact your local recreation commission for more information on family-friendly fitness activities.

Family Group Fitness:

Some gyms offer classes that all members of the family can participate in. Examples include Baby & Me Yoga classes, or family Zumba classes. Some of these classes might require special clothing and equipment, such as yoga mats and dance shoes. You can purchase much of what you need at department stores and discount stores. You can also search online for Athleta coupons, as well as discounts for other retailers.

Martial Arts Classes:

Martial arts studios usually offer classes for multiple experience and fitness levels, and it’s not unusual for beginning-level parents to take classes alongside their kids. The cost for martial arts classes vary. Some studios require you to purchase a training outfit and belt, while others allow regular workout clothes. Some studios charge a per-class fee, while others require a monthly subscription. To determine the cost of your training, contact the studio you are interested in joining for information.

How do you stay healthy and active with your kids?

 

Consideration was received for the editing and publishing of this article.