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Fitness For Children: Tips for great workouts for kids

I don't have to tell you that child obesity is a growing problem in America; it is always in the media. Now that we are aware of the problem, I believe nutrition and health professionals should educate parents and their children on how to stay active and live healthy fit lives. This starts with the parents and carries on into the school systems. Children spend more time at school than at home so we can't overlook the importance of educating all the adults in a child's life.

It has been stated by many professionals that you should start integrating fitness in a child's life even as early as 4 years old. Well that is true and is wonderful advice, but what about the kids that are older and already have a weight problem. This is the problem at hand and we need to address now and not when they are older. To all the parents out there that want to get their children active but simply don't know how I am going to give you a few tips to keep in mind. I am a fitness professional and I know how hard it is for adults to be motivated and excited about exercise so just imagine how much harder it is to achieve with kids! It is definitely more challenging but it can be done.

First we need you as parents to set an example. YES YOU! Our children look up to the adults in their lives and if you stay active it will help in getting your kids active. It is has been researched and children that are active at a young age grow up to be active adults. So we need to start the cycle of living active lives now to pass on down the line.
For 4-6 year olds: getting younger kids active is a lot easier. At this stage they are just learning basic movements skills such as walking, jumping, catching, kicking, throwing, hitting a ball and etc. This is basically the foundation stage. Here's a tip: Trying a new sport with your kids each week or two weeks. This will keep them active and will help them learn what sports or activities they like the best or are better at. This will be things like t-ball, golf, dribbling a basketball or shooting a basketball on a short goal to kicking a soccer ball. Just be creative and you can't go wrong as long as they are moving.
For 7-9 year olds: this is still a stage where it is still easy to keep kids active. Here is where they have already learned basic motor skills and are ready for more advanced movements. At this level you would take away the t-ball stand and have them hit a moving ball. This is where their hand

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