When we are young, we tend to have much more energy and be able to bounce back from injuries very quickly. Our metabolic rates are fast and we have much more flexible muscles and joints; people under 20 may feel invincible, but they also need exercise to maintain good health, keep from becoming over weight, and build muscle mass.
As we all know, it is better to build a strong foundation or good habits when young, as these last with you for the rest of our life. This can sometimes be difficult, especially when consumer products and other external factors are constantly distracting us from focusing on anything in particular.
The attention span of most young people is very short and they may get bored with long exercise routines that most adults use. Although exercising doesn’t have to be boring, the idea is to get the body moving and raise the heart rate. Other activities such as swimming, bike riding, surfing, dancing, roller blading, and tennis can also be effective means to get fit and stay healthy.
If you are a parent, you may have a tough time motivating your children to start exercising. One way to get them moving is to also include yourself in the workout. This can also be a good time to strengthen the relationship with your kids.
Be careful to protect your children from injury. A child that gets injured in an activity will be less likely to go back and try it again for fear of being hurt again. If you are introducing your children to some form of physical fitness, it may be better to start out slow and increase the intensity with time. The same rules that apply to adult exercise programs also apply to children workouts. Make sure your kids do a few warm up stretches to get the muscles active. Warm up exercises will prevent any serious tissue and joint injuries.
Choose specific exercises depending on your child’s age group. This should go without saying. If your child is between 4 and 7 years old, remember that he is only starting to master all of his motor functions. Coordination, balance, and hand-eye coordination should be taken into consideration when designing an exercise activity for younger children. An example of the kinds of games to use with youngsters are jump rope and hopscotch. These will help your child develop much needed movement skills.
As children get older, they can begin to do more rigorous exercises because their bodies are starting to process fats and nutrients into energy. At ages just over 8 years old, children will still not be able to control much of their actions and are prone to injury during certain physical activities. You may need to help guide your child as he is participating in exercises. At this age, your child will not be able to use equipment such as weights. Perhaps small hand sand bags could be an alternative.
A great activity for young children is gymnastics. There are many classes available designed for very young kids. This exercise helps to keep your child flexible, build motor skills, and keep the endocrine system active.
As children begin to reach their teenage years, they are now well developed and able to handle many different kinds of physical activity. Their bones and muscles can support weights and they can take part in almost any form of exercise. You should still monitor their workouts, as there is a risk of injury. Most teens are going through hormone changes in their body and their moods begin to swing. Exercise can give them a great outlet for the high-energy buildups that they may be experiencing.
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