Kids & Exercise

When adults think of exercising, they imagine working out at a gym, running on a treadmill, or lifting weights. However, for kids, exercise means playing and being physically active. Kids exercise when they have gym class at school, during recess, at dance class or soccer practice, while riding bikes, or when playing tag. I don’t think I have ever heard a 5 year old say, “Mom, I will be back in an hour, I’m heading to the gym to lift weights!”
Kids who exercise will have:

• Stronger muscles and bones
• Leaner bodies
• Less risk of becoming overweight
• Lower chance of getting Type 2 Diabetes
• Lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels
• Better sleep
• Better capability to handle emotional challenges
• A better outlook on life

Three elements of exercise are endurance, strength, and flexibility. Endurance develops when kids regularly get aerobic activity. During aerobic exercise, large muscles are moving, the heart beats faster, and a person breathes harder. Aerobic activity strengthens the heart and improves the body's ability to deliver oxygen to all its cells.
Aerobic exercise can be fun for both adults and kids. Aerobic activities include biking, baseball, soccer, skating, running, hiking, swimming, etc.
Improving strength doesn't have to mean lifting weights. Instead, kids can do push-ups, stomach crunches, pull-ups, and other exercises to help tone and strengthen muscles. They also improve their strength when they climb, do a handstand, or wrestle.
Stretching exercises help improve flexibility, allowing muscles and joints to bend and move easily through their full range of motion. Kids get chances every day to stretch when they reach for a toy, practice a split, or do a cartwheel.
The problem is kids being sedentary. Sitting around, watching TV, playing with an iPad, playing videogames, etc. They are not being active enough. Try some of these activities to help in the growth and development of your kids!