- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- iparenting fitness articles
- iparenting fitness q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Fun-tastic Family Fitness
4 Fabulous Ways to Exercise Together
By C.J. Johnson
Michelle and Grant Good of Bountiful, Utah, both work full-time jobs. As the busy mom to Brock, 16, and Brittney, 15, Michelle found that at the end of the day there was little time for exercise or family interaction. "I was beginning to notice the only conversations we would exchange during the week were regarding necessities," she says. "I didn't like that."
Complicated schedules make it difficult for family members to find time for exercise. However, shared fitness goals create great opportunities for parents and children to exercise and to spend quality time together.
Kelli Calabrese, fitness expert and personal trainer, understands that working out in order to stay fit is crucial for all members of the family. She also knows that exercise can be a playful, energetic way for family members to enjoy their time together. "As parents, it's our responsibility to be good role models and offer our children the opportunity to engage in active play," she says. "Our children can also be great motivators for us to keep in shape."
Calabrese believes there are four fun ways for families to stay fit together:
The first way is to pick an activity that has a goal attached to it – a walk-a-thon, a mini marathon or a bike-a-thon. Staying focused on one goal will help boost enthusiasm and keep the family exercising together in order to meet the challenge.
"Competition should not be the point of focus, rather the focus should be placed on doing one's best, supporting and encouraging each other as a team and – most importantly – having fun together as a family," Calabrese says.
Many marathons and half-marathons feature "family fun runs" as part of the weekend's festivities. In Oxford, Ohio, the State-to-State Half-marathon (www.statetostate.org) also includes a 5K Run/Walk and a 1K (.06 miles) Kids Fun Run/Walk. This is the perfect opportunity for the family to catch the marathon spirit without pushing everyone – young and old – to accomplish the exact same goal. Keep in mind that many races do not allow strollers on the courses, so while a baby or toddler can easily participate in the family's "training," the little one will have to wait a few years to participate in the actual race.