Young kids seem to be a never-ending source of energy – running around, exhausting even the dog, bouncing the ball off all the walls in the house, and always wanting to do something. Then, one day, they stop leaving their room, and you find yourself wondering if someone switched them because they seem like completely different individuals. It’s not you, and actually, it’s not even them; it’s the adolescence that makes them less active and more prone to spend time on their devices. Their bodies go through several changes, and because they don’t really understand what is happening, they might find it more attractive to spend the days indoors rather than playing sports or having a bike ride with the family.
But as a parent, you’re aware of how important physical activity is, and you want to find a way to motivate your children to adopt an exercise routine. These are the years when they can build the foundation for a healthy lifestyle that could stretch into their adulthood, so it’s time for you to learn how to encourage your children to swap their devices for a pair of running shoes or dumbbells.
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Build their exercise routine over time
Everyone needs to walk before running, so you shouldn’t force your children to run a marathon from being couch potatoes. It will take some time for them to switch from being sedentary to being more active, and your role isn’t to go in all guns blazing but rather be tactful in encouraging them to add a little bit of daily physical activity to their schedule. As with any habit, it will take time to build it and learn to love it. But if they repeat some activities daily, they will transform them into habits. Please don’t force them into a full-on activity because it might deter them from completely getting out of their room. Start with easy and fun activities and slowly increase the complexity and length of the physical activity.
Encourage them to explore multiple activities to find something they love
Teenagers get bored fast, so don’t expect your children to stick with the first sport they try for a long time. If they don’t enjoy it, they might not even practice it more than once. So, it’s paramount to help them find something they like so they feel enthusiastic to do it as often as possible. Encourage them to try different activities, so they enjoy staying active during their teen years and even later into adulthood. When they consider physical activity as a hobby they love to engage in, they will turn to it every time they need to unwind.
Most sports clubs offer tester sessions for new members, so you can check around and enroll them to these trials so they can have a taste of different activities. If some of their friends practice sports, you can encourage your kids to tag along so they might discover something that thrills them.
Another way to discover an activity they might like is to discuss their interests and passions with them. For example, if they love music, they might want to take dance classes or attend aerobics classes that play music in the background. Teens are often interested in how they look, so if they want to improve their fitness level and build some muscles, you can transform the garage into a home gym. Training with a heavy jump rope will definitely be challenging, but it will help them achieve their goals.
Be a role model
Not only should your children be physically active daily, as an adult you should also maintain and improve your fitness. Make sure that you get enough exercise to stay healthy for yourself and your children, and you’ll be the role model they look up to.
When you engage in physical activities, you show your kids that it’s important to add exercise to your routine and stick to it even on the busiest days. You can inspire your children to do more than scroll on their phones or binge-watch TV shows. Depending on the type of activity you perform, you might even get the entire family involved. Kettlebell training, for example, is the kind of activity both adults and teenagers can engage in because it allows you to adjust the intensity according to each one’s fitness level and diversify the exercises.
Make it enjoyable
While your children might need exercise due to their poor health or extra weight, you shouldn’t make it feel like a chore; it should be more like an activity meant to entertain them. One of the reasons why so many teenagers aren’t inclined to exercise or do sports is that they don’t think these activities are fun. And while they’re not as entertaining as doing TikTok videos because most of them require effort, they could feel fun when they match their interests.
Don’t think about physical activity as only hitting the gym or running in the park. These activities might fill your children with dread if they don’t find them enjoyable. Physical activity takes several forms, and even those who aren’t athletically inclined could find something that spikes their interest. Make a list of activities that will take your kids away from their phones in a way that implies improving their fitness and identify those they would like to try.
Don’t forget about the social element
Most of the time, teens prefer to stay on their phones because they allow them to connect with their friends. So, you should try to engage in physical activity that facilitates social engagement. You can get in touch with the other parents and plan activities where the children can meet and play team sports or any other activity requiring them to move. When you add the social factor to exercising, you get teenagers more excited about it. Participation in activities organized by a club designed for teenagers could also be a great route to support them in becoming more active.
We hope the above recommendations will encourage and motivate your kids to get healthier and happier.
