Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

Exercise Equals Fun!


Getting America's children to exercise has never been more difficult as the new boob-tube generation slouches in front of TVs, or sits for hours, mesmerized behind shoot-out video and computer games.

However, it is possible to foster a regular exercise pattern for children from an early age, with simple activities that are more "fun" than "exercise."

America's Pastimes

Back in the day, kids played hopscotch and tag and didn't know that it qualified as exercise! Reviving America's pastimes could be an easy way to promote physical fitness. Hopscotch improves balance and coordination, while the constant stop-go running in a healthy game of tag elevates the heart rate to more efficiently burn calories. Jumping rope is another American favorite that has fallen by the wayside. The regular interval in jumping rope pumps the heart steadily, and is an efficient form of aerobic exercise.

Biking

Biking is another excellent way to get a child to exercise. From first learning on a tricycle to the celebrated arrival of the two-wheeler, biking is something that can be viewed as an achievement, as well as an easy way to increase a child's physical activity. Biking helps children develop coordination, balance, work the back muscle groups that aid good posture, and build up leg muscles. Moreover, biking gives children an easy way to travel to their friends' houses and assert independence--an added incentive that will get those legs, and lungs, pumping! As nine-year old Michelle Yuen says, "I love riding my bike. It's so much fun. I ask my mom, and then I can bike down to my friend's house."

Rollerblading

Bikes aren't the only wheels that kids can use to rev up their heart rate. Rollerblading is an activity that can be done indoors, and out, and an activity the whole family can join in. Whether in an indoor skating rink, or just playing by the sidewalk, rollerblading is an activity that is fun for the children and healthy as well.

A Walk with Fido

Another exercise that can be performed daily by a child is none other than the traditional walk with the dog. Jogging, or even walking at a brisk pace, with the dog, floods the body with endorphins and a slew of other health benefits related to exercise. Bring along a stick to throw to Fido, and the workout has becomes even more intense. What's more: walking the dog everyday is a sure-fire way to maintain regular exercise, which is much more advantageous, in the long run, than intermittent exercising.

Yoga for Kids

Yoga has taken America by storm in recent years. From celebrity yogis like Madonna to stay-at-home moms, yoga has proven to be a way to tone and "center" the mind and body. Yoga is beginning to creep into the school gym programs, too. Just as many high schools throughout the nation have begun offering yoga as a gym option, many "yoga for kids" programs have sprung up as well. Yoga aims to tone the muscle groups, aid coordination, and improve flexibility through stretching. In addition, it has been said that a key principle in yoga, correct breathing, seems to alleviate stress in children.

Exercise that isn't Exercise

Taking the non-traditionalist approach to exercising is just as easy. Children can help mom carry the groceries or walk with her to the drugstore. Whatever the case, mixing up a regular exercise pattern for kids helps them create a healthy lifestyle.

And Don't Forget? If you want high energy, fun exercise routines to keep kids healthy, try exercise videos. Professional trainers will challenge your child with safe exercises to increase balance, coordination and shed pounds.

What's more, fitness is a family event. So for children, who want to work out like mom or dad, try mini trampolines or Urban rebounders, Dance revolution, exercise bikes and weight training equipment. These kid-sized fitness tools are made for your child's growing needs and are priced affordably. So, keep your child fit by having fun. To learn additional information about Urban rebounder or other exercise equipment visit our link at www.fitnessandkids.com

Denise Nero is the owner of http://www.fitnessandkids.com. Stop by and Subscribe to HealthyNews Ezine for more great exercise, diet tips, children's health and fitness, freebies and more.


MORE RESOURCES:

Exercise Important in Teens' Blood Pressure Control
ABC News
Researchers found that among nearly 1300 Canadian teenagers they followed for five years, declining exercise levels over time were linked to small increases ...

and more »


Reid objects to emergency exercise set for Vegas
San Jose Mercury News
Harry Reid has sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano asking her to reconsider plans for an emergency exercise in Las ...
Tourism promoters lobby against drillLas Vegas Review - Journal
Planned Emergency Drill Prompts ConcernsKXNT

all 36 news articles »


E! Online

Jude Law throws fruit at students during exercise routines: New Yorkers ...
Examiner.com
These lucky learners have the perfect view of Jude Law as he does a daily exercise routine and plays with his son on the balcony of his apartment. ...
Jude Law hurls oranges at unwanted audience: reportAFP

all 38 news articles »


WA today

Exercise study questions fitness benefits of 'Wii Fit'
USA Today
The intensity of an exercise program on Nintendo's highly popular fitness title Wii Fit amounts to a "very, very mild workout," says a study from the ...
American Council on Exercise releases Wii Fit study resultsExaminer.com
Nintendo Wii may provide actual exercise: studyReuters
Active Video Games Count as ExerciseU.S. News & World Report
CrunchGear (blog) -The Money Times -HULIQ
all 196 news articles »


Obama, NFL players encourage kids to exercise
ProFootballTalk
All of the NFL's Thanksgiving weekend games will be used to showcase the league's efforts to combat childhood obesity and encourage exercise.

and more »


Pointless exercise
IFR Asia
Ratings agency Moody's last week modified its methodology for hybrid and subordinated debt, a move that was widely anticipated but had little impact on ...

and more »


Local Students Help Out The Community Through Exercise
WSAW
Before they donated them they were used to help build muscle, and raise awareness about the importance of exercise. "They use the can as kind of their ...

and more »


Options to Advil for pain relief
Los Angeles Times
I was disappointed that you didn't mention exercise. According to a literature review in the "Handbook of Sport Psychology," as little as 5 to 10 minutes of ...
Damp Pajamas For Eczema; Walnuts Lower CholesterolHartford Courant

all 2 news articles »


What kind of strength work won't aggravate rotator cuff issue?
CNN
What kind of exercise moves can I do instead that will get me the same sort of gains? Thanks. Hi Renee -- I commend your desire to incorporate strength ...

and more »


TRW Completes $259 Million 3.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes Offering Including ...
SYS-CON Media (press release)
By PR Newswire LIVONIA, Mich., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) (the "Company") today announced its wholly-owned ...

and more »

Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright © 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.