Kids Fitness Is Not Just Child's Play

Kids fitness is becoming a profitable selling point, though fitness for kids is still a mountain to climb. There is a statistic that says kids spend three hours a day in front of the television, and five hours total per day using all media. Talking about kid’s fitness is difficult when the majority of children are still so sedentary.

With childhood obesity at an all time high, there is a movement happening to change the way kids think about fitness. There are more after school fitness clubs, exercise equipment especially made for a child's body, and more emphasis on recess time at school. Even video games are changing the way kids play them by making them interactive and physical. After school programs are not just free time. They are now geared towards educating students about living healthy lifestyles and teaching them the importance of exercise in a healthy life.

But what about more formal exercise routines? Do kids need to go to the gym? Is there a place for actual workouts in a kid’s life? The answer is yes, as long as it is approached in a kid-friendly way. Some gyms have a kid’s section with kid’s fitness equipment. They are smaller models than the adult counter-parts, but they are otherwise the same. Elliptical, steppers, stationary bikes, and strength machines are all there in bright approachable colors and set up in a circuit-style so kids are always moving. The kids area might be painted in brighter colors and have different music playing than in the grown up part.

Grown-ups think of fitness as scheduled workouts with time put into busy schedules for exercise. But for most children and teens, kids fitness involves playtime. Running, jumping, climbing and playing tag are all examples of how kids really get their exercise. Any programmed workouts should be related to how kids play.

Games, agility play and silliness infused workouts can help to catch their attention and keep them moving, which is the main goal for today’s sedentary kids. Fitness for kids involves laughter and exercise. A perfect combination.

There are children whose obesity is in the danger zone. For these kids, fitness needs to be under doctor's supervision and may involve time on a treadmill or stationary bike. Their approach will be slower and more difficult than an average child of average health. Psychological assistance, group family therapy and nutritional counseling for the whole family are just a few of the things a child in danger needs. Their whole way of living needs change and it involves the family participation.

The other end of the spectrum in kid’s fitness is the child athlete. Weight training, hours spent in the gym or in the pool, and formal workouts based on sports specific training can keep these kids from having down time. These kids have to make time for playing in their busy workout filled training schedules, not the other way around.

Whether obese, inactive or training for the Olympics, kids fitness is having its day. More and more we are hearing the news and making changes. As with any exercise routine, fitness for kids needs to find a balance between proven techniques and just plain fun and games.

Susannah Marchese is a certified Pilates fitness instructor and a senior contributing editor to the popular informative website Everything About Pilates.