8 Workouts for Kids That Will Get Them Sweating

The age of technology has brought with it endless choices in virtual reality games, computer games, and all other games that happened online. The downside of this advancement is the fact that not many children are as active as they used to be. Gone are the days of running around the neighborhood to find your best friend. Nowadays, all a child has to do is log on to their game console or pull out the phone to text to friend about their whereabouts.

If you are looking to get your child into a little more active lifestyle, then we have got a handy guide for you. Here are some great workouts for kids that you can include in your everyday activities to keep your kids on their feet. From traditional exercise routines to creative ways to get them moving around, we have got you covered.

This first workout for kids is somewhat unconventional, but when you think about it, it makes sense. You have heard about Zumba for adults. Chances are, you may even have taken a Zumba class or two. But when it comes to children, Zumba is easily one of the best workouts for kids. I mean think about it, Zumba includes movement and upbeat music. These two things are literally what children live for.

The great thing about Zumba as a workout for kids is that you can start them at any time and pretty much anywhere. Some popular and favorite places to do Zumba with kids are right in the living room in front of the big screen. All you need to do is flip on YouTube for some of the best Zumba videos that you and your children can dance along with.

Not only will your child be getting a full body exercise, but they will be having plenty of fun as well. Encourage your child to explore different genres of music through Zumba. You can even have your child pick out a Zumba video or two that they would like to try out. Here are some great pump up songs that you can add to your living room Zumba party. 

This next workout for kids is a great one because your kids will absolutely love it. While mountain climbers might be tricky for adults to do, a lot of kids welcome them with open arms. To execute this exercise, you will need to start by getting your child into a push up position.

Once they are in that position, they will alternate bringing one foot forward towards their armpit and extending it back out. They will do this with the other leg and repeat for as many desired repetitions and sets. This fun exercise will get their whole body moving and contracting so that they are in tip-top shape.

Pull ups are great workouts for kids because their arms will really appreciate the workout in the long run. Help your child develop and establish their arm muscles as well as other parts of their body by doing pull ups. You and your child can do front hand pull ups or backhand pull ups. Find whichever best fits your child and run with it.

Both will get the job done just right. For a little fun and competition, see how many pull ups your child can do alongside another child (like a sibling or cousin). This is especially fun if you are raising children who are competitive in nature.

Another great workout for kids is one that includes push ups.  Again, push ups are great for building strength in your arms and chest. Much like pull ups, if you have children who are competitive in nature, this is a great exercise to have a little fun with. Who will be crowned the title of push up queen or king? Find out by incorporating this exercise into your child workout regiment.

If you have a budding middle schooler, then one of the best workouts for kids is cross country or running in general. Running cross-country is great because it will keep your kids in tip-top shape. Not only that but unlike weights, running will not have an adverse effect on them at such a young age.

One of the advantages of joining a cross-country team is the fact that your child will get the opportunity to work in a team. They will learn what it means to be a good teammate and work together towards a common goal. Not only that, but they will learn the necessary social skills that will take them far for the rest of their life.  

If your child does not want to join a team, then that is quite alright too. You can take your child along with you on daily dogs as part of a family exercise routine. Whether they run alone or running a team, running is one of the best  workouts for kids that will get their blood pumping

This next workout is not just great for adults but for kids too. Planking is one of the best workouts for kids because it will help establish and strengthen their core. Even better is that with planking, any kid can do it. Simply have your child get onto their toes and elbows. Next, they will elevate themselves so that their body is entirely off of the floor. The goal is to keep your back and legs completely off the floor while they are elevated.

If your child is having a tough time properly getting into a plank position, then have them get some additional support. They can do this by doing a knee plank instead. Essentially, a knee plank is when you also use your knees as additional supports to help you get off the ground. If you have a child whose goal is to help strengthen their core, then planking is easily one of the best workouts for kids to start with. Parents, you can get in on the action too. If you love planking, here are some more great ab workouts you can do. 

One of the best workouts for kids happens every day on their outdoor toy, their bike. A great way to include a bike into any family exercise routine is by having family bike day. Many families, like my own, designate a specific day of the week to go on a biking adventure. This may mean that you are biking to the mall, biking to the grocery shop, or simply biking around town. Whatever destination you choose to bike to won't matter much. It is the fact that you and your children are getting out there to bike in the first place.

Biking not only is a great cardiovascular exercise, but it will do wonders for helping strengthen your child's leg muscles.  Finally, another great thing about biking is that even toddlers can participate too. Many outdoor stores like Dick's Sporting Goods sell attachable bike seats for younger children. This makes toting the baby in the family easy and effortless while going on a biking trip. When you go out biking be sure to always wear the proper safety gear. This way, you will always stay protected against any potentially harmful accidents. Check out the Rei co-op for some great biking safety apparel and gear. 

Perhaps one of the best workouts for kids is the informal one. Instead of organizing a formal work out, take them out to the playground instead. Let your child be a child and run, jump, and hop on all the playground equipment. As long as they are moving, that is all that matters. Going out onto the playground is essentially one of the best workouts for kids to take advantage of. The next time you get the opportunity, sneak in a workout for your children by taking them out to the park.

Workouts for kids do not necessarily have to be boring anymore. All you really need is to find the right exercise and the right workout for your kids that works into your lifestyle. When you find this,  having your children exercise and move around will be more of a treat than a chore. One of the best ways to encourage your children to participate in these workouts for kids is by doing them together as a family. After all, when you do something as a family unit, you are more likely to have fun and enjoy it!

Related Article: Simple and Easy Workouts to Get You to the Gym This Week