exercising with children

kirsty2604

thanks everyone

KarenisPaleo

Good Lord, what kind of world has this turned into that we feel judged for exercising with our kids??

What an amazing example you both will be running together! Post pics!

Also, my kids did yoga at 5 and 6 years old, they found it On Demand and did it on their own. =D

notdebby

The best exercise I have is the exercise I do with my kids. So much more fun than doing it by myself. I'm also doing C25K but they don't seem too interested in the running. It'd be great if they did. We go biking, swimming, walking and play various sports. I also like to go with them to the park and climb all over the jungle gym with them. We'll race to see who can get through the whole thing the fastest. I'm usually the only parent doing that and as my kids are a little older, I do get some funny looks but I don't care. My two are 11 and 12 by the way.

cwolfman13

My 3 year old also loves doing the little circuit courses I set up for him in the backyard. He has such a blast.

kirsty2604

my daughter has done some dvd's with me such as insanity in the house! she loves it my 7year old niece also loves it

Faery_Dust

I am just starting to jog and my just turned 7 year old comes out with me sometimes. I don't doubt he has far more energy than me, but I think there energy is different to an adult. He isn't really up for much "jogging". He likes to sprint really fast and then walk a bit. He'll be awesome help for me when I start doing HIIT lol.

But definitely try it, it's fun We are going to enter a colour run in the UK next year so that is what he is training for

welshlassie

Run a 5k with a 6-year old? Great idea! Remember that this is their race, not yours. Run at their speed. If they need a break, take a break. If they need a snack, give them one. And be ready to carry them at any time. If I can carry a 10 year old on my back through a 10k you can carry a 6 year old through 5k. If you can't, then don't run the race.

I work out with my kids, now 12-years old, almost every day. They frequently bug me to workout more with them. I will share with you my rules of thumb:

1) Child safety is job one. You need to think as if you have child safety written in big bold letters across your forehead. Everything you do needs to be considered in light of safety. This requirement is not flexible.
2) Meet them on their turf. Select or modify the exercise so that it is developmentally accessible to them. For example, little kids need frequent breaks and snacks.
3) Make it fun. Kids learn when they are having fun. For a 2-year old this may involve letting them be 'the monster' and chasing you around a field. For a 4-year old it may involve thunderous applause every time they catch a ball. For a 12-year old it may involve handing them a quarter every time they beat you at wind sprints (let them). And so on. Most kids care far less about winning than having fun. Who cares if you win the game if you turn the sport into aversion therapy? If you make exercise fun they will love you for it and learn to enjoy exercise their whole lives.
4) Give them unconditional love and support, and never hold your love for them hostage to their performance. Children may be afraid of trying new things or have issues of self-confidence. Children worry that they'll disappoint you or that they'll lose your love if they don't perform well. Put yourself in the position of soothing rather than exacerbating their fears.
5) Positive coaching. Use 'the sandwich technique' when coaching. If you need to make a suggestion, such as, "It might help if you face in the direction of the ball when playing soccer," make sure to surround it with three positive statements, e.g., "You are really enjoying yourself out here," or "My, but you have picked a huge pile of grass...you must be very proud." It may sound silly, but the efficacy of the sandwich technique is supported by a huge amount of empirical data holds true all the way up to Olympic champions.
6) Set an example. Children are relentless observers and will learn as much from what you do as what you say. Make sure to behave in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Try to get yourself in shape. You don't have to be in great shape, but they need to see you try.

^^This^^

Thank you, just what I needed to hear. My almost 6 year old is desperate to come out with me running together. I've started doing Parkrun and he so wants to come. Think I'll say he can come once a month with me and we can go out together at other times. He's cycled while I've run. I just need to remember he's still only 5 and can't always keep up - I need to find a flatter route.