Your Go-To Guide To Workout Out With Your Kids

Consider Focusing On Practicing Certain Skills

When it comes to kids, it might be easier to consider working out as a practice to building a specific skill rather than focusing on exercising. For example, you can practice things like jumping, crawling, dancing, throwing, catching, and more! This might go over better than asking them to squat or lunge.

Don’t Be Afraid To Workout In Different Ways Throughout The Day

We don’t have to tell you that sometimes our best-laid plans can quickly go awry with kids. That’s ok! There are lots of different ways to get exercise throughout the day. It’s totally fine to squeeze in a workout whenever you have time, even if that’s just 10 minutes. 

You can also shoot for an accumulation of micro-workouts throughout the day. For example, make it a goal to get in 100 reps of some bodyweight exercise with your kids throughout the day. 

However, on the other hand, maybe creating a block of time to work out with your family is a good habit. So, if you can, try to block out and defend the time you plan to get moving with your kids because their health is important too!

Exercises To Try With Your Kids At Home

There are a few things you can do with your kids, whether you use them as makeshift weights or incorporate them into your routine! Here are a few exercises you can do along with your kids: 

Squats

Squats are a great exercise to do with your kids. Depending on how much they weigh, you can use them as weights on your shoulders or let them squat alongside you. 

Similarly, improve this exercise by going from a squat to a jump, arms stretched to the ceiling. Call this one “touch the sky,” and make it a game with your kids. While kids might not be into burpees, they are into jumping, and this one will definitely get the heart rate up!

Lunges

Lunges are another simple workout you can do with your kids, and it can be a fun way to get a slow and controlled movement.

Push-Ups

You have a few options here when it comes to push-ups. First, have your kid crawl on your back and use them as a weight. Second, engage your child by giving high-fives in between reps. Then, stick your hand out at the top of your push-up and give them that high five! Lastly, let your kid participate by having them crawl underneath you in between repetitions and wiggle through as fast as they can from one side to the other! 

Jumping

Long jumps are a fun exercise because kids love it. You can do this on a softer surface or in your backyard so everyone feels comfortable getting into it! 

Make it a game by drawing a line and see who can jump over it or who can jump the farthest! 

Bear Crawl

A bear crawl is another fun one because it’s an excellent workout for your whole body, and your kids will love doing it with you or on your back. Make it an obstacle course, or see how loud you can growl while you’re doing it!

Balancing

Balancing is an easy workout in which kids of nearly all ages can get involved. Have your kids try to push you over while standing on one leg, or make it a contest to see how long you can balance. Incorporate hopscotch with your kids to incorporate hopping and skipping, which they will love!

Final Thoughts

The most important thing you need to know about working out with kids is to relax and have fun! If you’re having fun, then your kids will too. Especially if you’re actively trying to enjoy this time together and incorporating some game elements, you’ll likely be helping to instill healthy habits that will make them want to keep doing it!

Keep in mind, your kids might not be super into working out the same way that you are, but keeping those habits for yourself is still setting a good example for your kids. At the end of the day, just do your best and get in that workout however you can, with or without the kids.

Need some fun classes to keep you motivated? Community Fitness has fantastic group classes you can watch on demand to help inspire you and keep you motivated.