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The Spring Shake Up!
Families Work Better When They Work out Together
By Kelli Calabrese, M.S., CSCS
You have a greater influence on your children than any teacher, coach or fitness professional. Just as they follow your lead on how to talk, dress and act, you're also setting an example by leading a physically active or sedentary life. With warmer days approaching, it's time to shake the cabin fever and take to the great outdoors.
Everyone can find a sport they enjoy. Look to community recreation programs or after-school programs. From soccer to lacrosse, baseball to swimming, today's sports options are limitless. But not everyone likes competitive sports. Your family can always find alternative activities, such as skateboarding, biking or using scooters.
"There are a growing number of fitness routines that make use of little to no equipment and can be performed right in your home," says Phil Black, an ACE-certified personal trainer, former Navy SEAL Instructor, expert in unconventional fitness and father of twin toddlers. "Programs can be adapted to involve children. Parents exercising alongside their children is more than just fun and games – it helps to develop strong habits of daily exercise for their children that will last a lifetime. Anchoring fitness with family and fun will do for a child's health what nightly reading will do for their mind. Look for fitness routines that are long on action and short on fancy equipment."
FitDeck Exercise Playing Cards are perfect for family fun because they deliver basic body-weight exercises that require no equipment, can be done in the family room, offer three different fitness levels and have a fun factor of never knowing what exercise is coming next. Just shuffle the deck of cards and perform whatever exercise you select. Exercises have fun names like "Chase the Rabbits," "Crab Crawl," "The Lizard" and "Superman." Toddlers and children of all ages will love trying to mimic what's on the cards!
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