Getting Kids to Exercise

The Surgeon General has made it clear: most of today’s children don’t get enough exercise. Children need more physical exertion and a better cardiovascular workout if they want to grow up to be healthy adults without weight issues. But getting kids active when they are surrounded by the temptations of television, computers, and video games can be a challenge.  Swings and playground equipment are great ways to get kids moving. They’ll be having so much fun they won’t realize they’re exercising!

An adult exercise routine generally doesn’t work for young children.  It’s boring and follows a set pattern that children resist because it seems too much like work. In fact, isn’t that why adults don’t like exercising most of the time?

If you can take your kids to the park or into your own backyard to play on fun equipment, they can get a good aerobic workout that will raise their heart rate, get the blood pumping, and improve the way their body processes oxygen. Climbing up the slide ladder, across the trapeze rings, or up a rock wall helps improve balance and increase strength and flexibility. Jungle gyms, forts, and climbing ropes improve coordination and flexibility and overall health as kids climb over, around, and through them.

Even simple favorites like swings are good for children. As they pump their legs back and forth to swing higher, they are working the muscles in the front and back of their legs. They are working their arm muscles while leaning back and forward in the seat as they arc higher. 

If you’re concerned your kids aren’t getting enough exercise, don’t worry about joining a gym or forcing them to do boring sit-ups and push-ups. The first step is taking them to the nearest park or installing some quality playground equipment in your own backyard.  When you join them on swings, you’ll be setting them on the right track to better health, and, spending quality time with them as well!