Teenager - Circuit training interest

porffor
porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
edited November 8 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all, my eldest is soon to be13.
She is not very 'sporty' in that she doesn't enjoy the general sports at school. She does do dance at school and has enjoyed trampolining (till our trampoline broke last winter - we will be replacing it soon). She enjoys body boarding in the summer and we do a lot of walking in the warmer months as a family. Daylight is an issue in winter after the kids are out. Oh and we had a routine (again this is past tense) of swimming on a sunday but she's not a confident swimmer so generally mucks around in the water / swimming. So I struggle to get her to do proper lengths. Until I was pregnant with our youngest (now 2) we went to a karate class as a family - to get her exercising and also DH and I.

I voiced my concerns - gently - that I thought she needed to join a group of some sort a few months back, she has joined Guides as a result but it's not active as in exercise.

Recently, DD has been enjoying circuit training at school and voiced last night that she'd like to be more 'active' and do more in general.

So, I was thinking of adding some indoor circuit training we could do together at home - we have a Wii fit so can do some bits on there, and boxing / sword fighting for her arms too - she likes sword fighting. lol

Any idea's what are teh best exercises for upper body strength (she wants to improve this). She enjoyed push ups and sit ups - which she was proud of her ability but we talked about upping the reps for gradually :)

Are these types of things 'safe' for teens? Also would it be ok to take her jogging? I was wondering whether to set us a challenge of a 5k or something in the summer - I did one some years back and enjoyed the sense of achievement at the end of Couch potato to 5k challenge. :)

Suggestions and views welcome - thanks.

Replies

  • MamaBear05
    MamaBear05 Posts: 100 Member
    It sounds like she is generally active, with the dancing and body boarding and walking. Organized sports or exercise routines are not necessary if she is active in other things that she enjoys and it sounds like she is. Maybe lack of activity in the winter is your concern? But don't be too hard on her if she isn't "sporty" or working out. Is she overweight?

    If you want to get her doing more, or if she is interested, jogging would be great. You mentioned you did the C25K program. Do it again, with her. Find a fun 5k to do a few months out and make that your goal. Try to find a "fun" one. We have many here that are "rockin", have fun obstacles or are at nice locations.

    As for circuit training, she is definitely old enough for that too, in moderation. Pushups are a great exercise for upper body strength. Increase reps by 1 or 2 every few days. You can find great circuit routines online, DVDs or On Demand (or similar). How about Yoga?

    Most of all, make sure any encouragement for exercise is for the health of it, not for appearance purposes. And make sure she is eating enough for her activity level.
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    Have her try rock climbing, great upper AND lower body strength, balance, thinking skills, and endurance.
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    It sounds like she is generally active, with the dancing and body boarding and walking. Organized sports or exercise routines are not necessary if she is active in other things that she enjoys and it sounds like she is. Maybe lack of activity in the winter is your concern? But don't be too hard on her if she isn't "sporty" or working out. Is she overweight?

    If you want to get her doing more, or if she is interested, jogging would be great. You mentioned you did the C25K program. Do it again, with her. Find a fun 5k to do a few months out and make that your goal. Try to find a "fun" one. We have many here that are "rockin", have fun obstacles or are at nice locations.

    As for circuit training, she is definitely old enough for that too, in moderation. Pushups are a great exercise for upper body strength. Increase reps by 1 or 2 every few days. You can find great circuit routines online, DVDs or On Demand (or similar). How about Yoga?

    Most of all, make sure any encouragement for exercise is for the health of it, not for appearance purposes. And make sure she is eating enough for her activity level.

    Thats pretty good points about it being winter related - thanks :) That was why we were encouraging her to join a club or something. She's not very sociable out of school hours - she has friends over etc, but doesn't like to go out and play etc.

    There is a race called 'race for life' that is for cancer research and aimed at Women only so lots of fun outfits worn etc - I have spoken to her tonight and she's definately up for that - the race is run near to us where we would be training so we'd know the course to an extent. :) There are other races locally there too so there is an option to do more if she fancies it. :) I'll be digging out the C25k plan tonight! lol

    We have a Wii with Wii fit, so we are planning to do more on that too - we do a fair bit and she loves the challenges, just not being beaten! lol


    addison - thats a good idea about rock walls.. though she'd have to do that alone.. serious fear of heights in my corner! lol
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    Well we didn't get far with training through the Wii, not sure if it was time of night or not. But we did do the first day of Couch to 5k plan today! I'm determined to carry on now.. I was knackered! lol She is obviously fitter and faster than me but it got her running on a day she wouldn't normally.. can only be a good thing! :)
    Bring on the 5k race in the summer.. and the warmer weather.. head freeze is not something I'm used to! lol
This discussion has been closed.

Categories