Involving your kids in your workouts

Studies have shown that children who exercise have healthier and stronger bodies. They are better able to combat depression, as well as behavioural disorders. Plus they are more likely to have enhanced well-being. Involving your kids in your workouts can be a great way to give them the exercise they need, and have some fun bonding time while you’re at it!

Benefits of physical activity for children

• Helps with coordination and muscle memory
  • Both of these are critical for even the most basic tasks when they get older. Having your children learn coordination skills and getting their muscles used to physical activity is not just important for when they want to play certain sports. It’s just as important for correct posture, balance and day to day functions.
    
• Boost self-esteem
  • Working out causes your body to release chemicals called endorphins. Also known as ‘feel good hormones‘. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduces the perception of pain to rather trigger a positive feeling in the body. When your children are active and working out, their bodies are happier, healthier, and in return builds self-esteem. When they can do some of the basic activities in school or at sport, they will feel better about themselves among their peers.

• Reduce mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
  • This goes hand in hand with the endorphins that exercising releases. If a child is only sitting at home, not moving around, or getting outside, they won’t get enough of that feel good hormone. They will much likely tend to be more anxious and depressed. If your child is already suffering from mental health issues then it’s even more important to include them in your workouts to help motivate them. Especially if they don’t feel like playing a sport or being active amongst other children.

How to get your kids to exercise

• Make a game of it
  • Set up a challenge, whether it’s an obstacle course in your backyard or a mini soccer set up in the park. You can also have a fun hide-and-seek game or a dance party! These games will get the blood flowing, heart pumping and tire them out – which is a bonus for you!
    
• Look for activities applicable to the season
  • Depending on where you live, this can range from skiing and sledding to swimming and short hikes. These are all good to get you out of the house and into nature.

• Enlist them in a sport they will enjoy
  • If their school doesn’t have a sport that interests them then you can find numerous sports at clubs in your area. Team sports are incredible for them to learn people skills, socialise and learn to handle failures and wins to benefit them in the long run.

Implementing your kids in your workout classes

A lot of classes are quite open to involving your kids. I’ve been to many yoga classes and even circuit classes where parents took their kids along, and I loved seeing them get involved! The trainers will usually give some moderations, but you’ll be surprised to see how much more they can do to what you’d expect!

The fitness space is also changing to have a lot of classes specifically for parents and kids. Knowing that parents have less time at home with their kids, or someone watching over them. Making this is a great opportunity for you to still get your workout in!

There’s numerous classes that they will enjoy, like dancing or Zumba classes, circuit classes, yoga classes, or even aerobic classes. As long as they’re moving around, and doing something fun and challenging.

If “me-time” is more what you’re looking for, then find studios near you that have specific workout classes for kids. This way you can focus on your workout simultaneously and have lots to talk about over your breakfast date together.

A bonus is to end the workout with a little treat like going on a smoothie date post workout. Create a little routine and bonding experience that you both will enjoy.

Our Bookamat studios

These are just a few of the incredible studios that have specific classes for children, and some that are welcoming kids to workout alongside you.

• The Yoga Collective
  • They offer kids yoga to teach children patience and calmness. Which I believe is something all parents long for in their children!
    
• Merschool Mermaid Swim School
  • Available from the ages of 6 years to adults. They make exercising an experience that is sure to be lots of fun for your children by putting on a figurative mermaid tail and jumping in the water! If you’re as intrigued as we are then be sure to have a look at the studio spotlight blog post we wrote!
    
• TrampsSA
  • Another class that kids will LOVE! Jumping on a mini trampoline is a favourite activity. You might be surprised to experience how much of a workout it can be for you both!
    
• Health Warriors
  • They also offer a 100 hour kids yoga teacher training course which could be an exciting venture for you both!
    

• At Yoga Studio
  • Another fun way for your kids to exercise is by trying flight yoga. Making yoga fun with aerial yoga. If you’re not familiar with it, be sure to have a look here where we delved into all of the questions.
    

Whether you’re training at home with your baby or kids, or joining a class together, we encourage you to make it a part of your lifestyle. Get moving with your kids, get outside in nature, and spend that hour together. Children thrive off of quality time. Doing something that they will enjoy that is also beneficial for their health is a bonus. They get to learn new skills, develop their muscles and enjoy the limited time with you.

Have a look for which studios are near you and enquire if you can bring them along. You can easily browse through studios and classes in your area here.

We realised through the pandemic how precious family time is. Seeing how kids thrived from having their parents home more. Which goes to show the importance of involving your kids in your workouts and making fun memories along the way.