Summer is officially over for more children around the nation and although it is time for them to hit the books, they still need to make healthy lifestyle choices. It's more important than ever that parents get involved in working out with their kids in order to help them grow strong and healthy, especially when kids are sitting in classrooms for an average of six hours each day.
It can be challenging to figure out what type of exercise can be done at home that is appropriate for
healthy kids. The best workouts for growth and happiness are a combination of aerobic activities, flexibility routines and strength-building exercising.
Aerobic workoutsSome parents may assume running or walking are some of the only ways to get in aerobic workouts, but there are a variety of fun exercises that fall into this category. Families can get fit by joining a local gym with a pool to do some laps to get in aerobic workouts. Families that reside in areas that stay relatively warm all year long could also try going for daily bike rides.
Youngsters should participate in about a half hour of aerobic exercise each day to stay healthy, though kids who already work out may benefit from an increase in time.
Flexibility techniquesAnother important part of working out for the whole family is getting everyone to try stretching and flexibility workouts. Most kids are rather flexible to begin with so this activity may actually help to keep them this way as they get older. Exercises like yoga and Pilates are popular for enhancing flexibility, but common stretching poses can also do the trick. Teaching kids about stretching is an important practice for life, as they should make sure to do so before playing sports to avoid injuries.
Strength trainingStrength training is another important aspect of children's workout routines, as the method helps keep kids' muscles strong and joints protected. Parents can help their kids develop strong muscles by having them try lifting weights (under adult supervision) or even making it more fun by having the children try to do pull ups on
playground equipment. Another activity that helps families bond while working on resistance training is playing a round of tug-of-war.
By offering kids a time to relieve some stress and feel better about themselves during the school week, it may help them stay better focused on their course load while in class.