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Kids can be a lot of fun to live with, but they are also an excellent way to get fit. Thanks to their instinctive hyperactivity, they can show parents a thing or two about active life.
Many parents cite children as a reason they don’t hit the gym more often. Family priorities tend to crowd out dedicated training time, leaving parents feeling sluggish and unfit.
The trick here is to find ways to use kids to stay fit. This way, you can kill two birds with one stone.
Here’s what you can do:
Turn Cleaning Into A Physical Activity
When you run a busy family, household mess can quickly get out of control. Often, you only have to shut the door behind you for a few seconds for the entire room to turn into a bombsite.
Nobody likes to clean, but when you turn it into a sporty activity, it becomes a lot more fun. You can do this by assigning each person to a room and waiting to see who can make it spotless first. Even better, listen to music at the same time.
Walk The Dog As A Family
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You have to walk the dog, so you might as well turn it into an expedition for the whole family. Put the little ones in a stroller and then walk or march around the block, dog in tow.
You could also invest in a running stroller. These allow you to go for a jog at the same time as getting everyone out of the house.
Do A Home Workout Together
Another option is to get kids to put on their custom designed PE kits and do a home workout together. Choose something that you’ll all enjoy, like Zumba, and then get on with it.
If you want to do something really fancy, you might consider getting everyone a stationary bike and signing up for a service, like Peleton. This way, you can all do a spin class from the comfort of your living room (not that it will be particularly comfortable).
Go On Family Bike Ride
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While family bike rides require a bit of planning, they can be a great way to get everyone out of the house and moving on a sunny afternoon. Where possible, try to avoid roads. Look for purpose-built cycle tracks in your area. Usually, these are converted train tracks or old mining roads. Some councils also offer off-road trails that are suitable for the whole family. Just make sure that you keep up the pace if you want to turn it into a bona fide workout.
Play On The Playground With Your Kids
Lastly, if your timetable is full and you have no other opportunities to exercise in the week, go and play with your kids on the playground. Rediscover some of that youthful energy you’ve lost over the years and just have some fun, like you’re ten years old again.
Playgrounds can be a great place to work out. You can do pull-ups, run obstacle courses, and try your hand at the monkey bars.
Sarah x
