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Fun-tastic Family Fitness
4 Fabulous Ways to Exercise Together
By C.J. Johnson
Many schools and parks offer physical activity courses with exercise stations along jogging trails. Generally, these courses are appropriate for all ability levels and ages, with specific exercises that could be modified for younger children. Babies can find comfort and safety during these family workouts in a backpack or other secure infant carrier.
"Consider making visits to these courses a Saturday morning event," Calabrese says. Each week, the intensity of the workout can be raised in order to keep family members challenged and performing at the top of their game. For additional family fun, follow these weekend workouts with a wholesome picnic lunch in the park.
If a trail complete with exercise stations isn't available in your area, any trail will do. Simply pause every 10 to 15 minutes and spend some time doing jumping jacks, squats or lunges. You can really ham it up by adding "silly stations," such as marching around a near-by tree while singing a song or jumping over a twig for a few minutes.
Parks also present the perfect opportunity for creating family obstacle courses. Slide down that slide, race across the jungle gym, sail down the fire escape and pump those legs high to the sky as you swing! In this case, you'll want to visit the park at an off time so as not to intimidate other visitors with your crazy antics.
An efficient way for families to fit in fitness is for the entire group to take on a sport. "Find an after school program, YMCA or community center that offers family lessons or activities that are also physical fitness-oriented," Calabrese says. There are countless options for families to consider: tennis, dance, kickboxing, golf, swimming and self-defense classes.
