Ways To Get Your Child Interested In Working Out
If you're concerned that your child isn't getting the hour of daily exercise that is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the things you can do is obtain a gym membership for the child. While many people associate gym memberships with adults who wish to lose weight or gain muscle, many such facilities sell discounted memberships for those under the age of 18. Buying the gym membership, however, doesn't necessarily mean that your child will use it. Here are some ways to raise your child's engagement in visiting the gym to work out.
Suggest Some Classes
An effective way to get your child more excited about visiting the gym to work out is to encourage him or her to sign up for some group fitness classes. Many gyms offer a wide range of classes that are accessible to those who have a gym membership. While things such as step aerobics are common, many gyms will also offer cardio kickboxing, yoga, dance and self-defense. Each of these disciplines provides your child with the opportunity to get moving, as well as learn a specific type of skill. For example, after a few intro yoga classes at the gym, your child might be really into this practice and wish to continue it.
Work Out Together
Joining your child for a workout together can also make him or her more interested in working out. If you have a good relationship with your child, you'll both enjoy the quality time spent together. If your relationship is occasionally strained, you might both notice that things seem to improve upon a few gym visits. Even if you don't talk much during the workouts, each of you can develop a sense of camaraderie. If working out together isn't practical, consider talking to the parents of a friend of your child to see if they might buy a gym membership for their child, which will allow the friends to exercise together.
Suggest Gym Time As An Alternative To Chores
If you really want to make sure that your child spends time working out at the gym, consider allowing him or her to skip some regular chores in favor of working out. For example, if the child is typically tasked with mowing the lawn each weekend, say that he or she doesn't have to do this job if he or she spends the same amount of time at the gym. Teenagers, especially, can feel that they don't have enough spare time to work out, but if you cut back on some of their responsibilities around the house, spare time can open up.
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