Family and Childhood Fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

• At what age can kids start going to a gym?

  Many fitness centers have age minimums, mainly to keep kids safe. Equipment like stationary bikes are often designed for people around 5 feet or taller, and treadmills can pose a real injury risk to children.But some family-friendly gyms welcome children to work out alongside a parent. Kids as young as 7 or 8 can beginresistance trainingusing weights. They should be supervised by a certified strength-training expert to ensure they use proper techniques to prevent injuries.

  Learn More: Strength Training for Kids
• What is a good workout for a 10-year-old?

  At age 10, kids should do 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous intensity activities each day.The best kind of workouts for this age group are aerobic: activities that get the heart pumping fast and exercise large muscle groups. Some kids this age may enjoy creating or joining anafter-school running club. They should also do activities that strengthen their muscles or bones a few times a week.Jumping ropebuilds cardiovascular capacity and bone strength, and kids can do it anywhere.

  Learn More: Developing Stability and Balance Skills in Kids
• What are the best physical activities for kids?

  The best physical activities for kids are ones that keep them moving and that they enjoy doing. For many children,team sports喜欢足球和篮球是完美的way to keep fit andbond with friends. Others gravitate towardless traditional sports, such as archery, fencing, or water polo. Still, other kids prefernon-competitive physical activitiesand might enjoydance, jumping rope, and evenhula hooping.

  Learn More: Running Games for Kids to Encourage Exercise
• What are some family exercise ideas?

  To spark your child's interest, family exercise should be fun, not forced.Preschoolers will appreciateactive gameslikedragon tag,freeze dance, or balloon volleyball. For bigger kids, consider activities that allow you totake on a challenge together. Learn alifetime sport like golf or pickleballside by side, sign up for anadventure race, ortry geocaching.

  Learn More: Top 10 Family Fitness Lifestyle Habits
• Why is family fitness important?

  Your child is more likely to enjoy and stick with physical activities when they get to do it with their favorite grown-up: you! And active kids, in turn, may motivate you to revive a fitness routine that was shelved when you became a parent.

  Doing physical activities together can also promotefamily bonding既然你都toge努力工作,开心不已ther. It's a healthy cycle. As families spend more active time together, relationships tend to improve, which often inspires parents and kids to participate in more family fitness activities to keep the good vibe going.

  Learn More: An Overview of Family Fitness
• How do you make physical activity fun for kids?

  Rather than putting kids on an "exercise plan," present them with plenty of active choices and opportunities. For small children, make a chart with pictures of a dozen or so activities, includingactive games they can do on their own. Consider giving them a small reward for trying new activities or doing a certain number per week, which is a proven motivator.Arrange for social older kids to do fitness with a friend, whether it's taking them to amartial artsclass or driving them to acool hiking spoton the weekend. Cool gear never hurts: Buy them hand weights in their favorite color or workout clothes they feel good in.

  Learn More: Fun and Easy Exercises for Kids to Try
• How do I make my child more active?

  Make physical activity a daily part of life from the time they are small. Take the stairs with them instead of the elevator at the airport or mall and make a tradition of after-dinner walks or once-a-week bike rides. Keepactive toysaround family spaces, since kids are more likely to play with what's easily accessible. Once they are a bit older, push formore physical activities at your child's schooland let them try avariety of sportsuntil they find one they love.

  Learn More: Active Family Games for Game Night