Kids' Fitness Classes: Benefits of Regular Exercise for Children

Do your children, nieces/nephews or grandkids participate in regular physical activity?

Kids fitness classes can include any type of exercise whether it's playing a sport, going for a walk, playing in the playground or at the beach. These are great ways to optimise the benefits of physical activity on both the physical and mental health of children.

Not only is exercise and sport a great way for the whole family to stay active, but it's also a great way for kids to socialise with friends. They learn fundamental skills that last their entire life, such being part of a team and even hand-eye coordination.

Also, it is important to note that children who exercise regularly and participate in sport are more likely to maintain an active lifestyle participating in regular physical activity as an adult.

The Benefits of Physical Activity for Kids

Regular physical activity is essential for children’s health and development. Numerous studies have shown that active kids have better grades, improved mental health, and stronger bones and muscles.

In fact, children aged six to 17 need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. This can be in the form of organized sports, free play, or even simple things like walking to school.

The benefits of children participating in regular exercise include:

• Assists in maintaining a healthy body weight and cardiovascular fitness
• Learning correct movement patterns and limb co-ordination
• Helps to build strong bones, muscles and joints
• Assists with their self-esteem and confidence
• Reduces the risk of injury or other medical conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease

With physical activity being highly important for the proper development of children, it is unfortunate that many kids today are not getting enough exercise. A sedentary lifestyle combined with a poor diet is a recipe for obesity and other health problems. But there are things parents can do to encourage their kids to be more active. We highly recommend enrolling them into one of our kid's fitness classes that corresponds to their level. Please do give us a call if you have any questions or need assistance in choosing the right class for your child.

How Kids' Fitness Classes Can Help Your Child

It’s no secret that kids today are spending more time than ever in front of screens. According to a recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids aged 8 to 18 spend an average of seven hours a day using electronic media. That’s more than double the amount of time they spent just two decades ago. The prevalence of obesity among children aged six to eleven years old increased from 7 percent in 1980 to nearly 18 percent in 2012.

With statistics like these, it's more important than ever for parents to find ways to help their children maintain a healthy weight. And one way to do that is by enrolling them in kid's fitness classes.

Here are three benefits of kid's fitness classes:

1. They can help your child improve motor skills and learn a callisthenic early.
2. They can help your child develop healthy habits at an early age.
3. They can give your child the opportunity to socialize and make new friends.
4. They can help your child release energy in a positive and constructive way.

How to Incorporate Physical Activity Into Family Routine

It is recommended that children should participate in 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day. However, many families struggle to find the time or resources to fit regular exercise into their schedules. There are a number of ways that families can incorporate physical activity into their routine.

One of the simples ways to do this is taking walks together as a family, playing active games together, and enrolling children into kid's fitness classes or sports teams. Incorporating physical activity into the family routine is an important way to promote healthy habits in children.

Here are some tips for incorporating physical activity into your family routine:

1. Make it a priority. Just like regular doctor appointments and grocery shopping, adding physical activity into the mix should be a priority for the whole family.
2. Be creative. Think outside the gym and get everyone moving in fun ways - go for a nature walk, play tag in the park, or have a dance party in the living room.
3. Set an example. As the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words. So if you want your kids to be active, lead by example and show them how much fun being physically active can be!

With the return of sports starting to commence after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, encouraging children to participate is a great way to ensure they reach the above benefits. However it's important that they return gradually to reduce the risk of injury.

If you have any questions about frequency of physical activity or return to sport, please give us a call on 9783 9990 to book with one of our Exercise Physiologists.

We run a Junior Gym group designed for primary aged children wanting to improve their fitness and co-ordination. Classes revolve around movement, balance and fun.