Our kids, our future! It is a proven fact that teens today already have signs of hardening arteries. As for obesity, we already know that we have a major problem. Why is that? Of course today’s junk food diets do not help, but the lack of activity is the greatest factor. It is recommended that children be active a minimum of 90 minutes a day. How can we help them achieve this goal? We must remember that 90 minutes is the goal, we cannot start with 90 minutes. After school or after work, integrate at least 30 minutes of activities with your children, e.g. Go for a walk with them, throw a ball or Frisbee, play soccer, go running, skating, skiing… If you have to, write it down in your schedule with the activity that you are going to do. It is proven that when we write it down, we have more chances of executing. Every week, add 10 minutes to the schedule and in no time, the 90 minutes will be reached. Encourage your kids to get off the bus a couple of stops early so they can walk the rest of the way. Reduce by 30 minutes, the amount of time allowed in front of the computer and the television.
There are three types of physical activity that must be combined for best results: endurance activities, flexibility activities and strength activities.
• Endurance: These types of activities are aerobic. They must make you sweat and get your heart rate up.
• Flexibility: These activities are the ones that keep you moving. Stretching, reaching, bending are all beneficial.
• Strength: This is what will help you build muscle in your body. One pound of muscle is about 30% smaller than one pound of fat.
Statistics show that by grade 11, only 12.6% of males, and 6.9% of females accumulate 60 minutes or more of physical activity. To ensure our kid’s future, we must get these kids moving. What is available out there? There are now fitness centers for youth only. These kinds of centers are an excellent solution for kids. There are many fitness centers that have adapted their centers and added children’s sections. This encourages family fitness while giving the children their own training space.
Children’s fitness sections may offer:
• Game bikes: What are they? They are bikes connected to the Playstation or Xbox. Pedaling the bike makes the game go forward. The bicycle handles move to allow the games’ personalities to go left and right. The kids exercise without even realizing that they are doing so. The bikes are available in upright position or in recumbent style. There are also two versions: the home version and the version for fitness centers.
• Dance pads: Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) mats connect to the Playstation. DDR mats allow novices and experts to have fun while burning calories. Players can challenge an opponent, or play against the computer. The goal of the game is to follow the dance arrows displayed on the television. The better you are, the more challenge the computer will give you.
• Pin select equipment: There are a few brands available for children. If your child is going to a fitness center with pin select, check for the following:
• There must be constant supervision with a certified trainer.
• Your child must be very well-informed of the dangers with the weight stacks. For example, it is very easy for a child to get their fingers caught in the weights if they are not cautious.
• The child must not over-exceed limitations in the quantity of weights selected.
• Hydraulic equipment: A few brands are also available for children. It is important to check the quality of the equipment as some manufacturers have not made the children’s equipment with high, gym-quality standards. What is hydraulic equipment? It is equipment that has no weights at all – cylinders are what control the weight resistance. The children never have to touch the cylinders; they are set by the fitness center owners. If you are wondering how a 6-year-old and a 14-year-old work on the same equipment, here is how it works: The 6-year-old will push with less intensity than the 14-year-old. The cylinder will react to the amount of intensity given, the harder the child will push, the more resistance he or she will get. Hydraulic training was designed to give an excellent workout while burning calories. The parent must again check if there is constant supervision with the children, and make sure the child is able to get a full-range of motion on the equipment. With proper hydraulics, the children have no risk of over-exceeding any weight limitations, they will get the proper range of motion and they will get a full, cardio workout.
With the proper trainers and the proper equipment, kids can experience a load of fun and fitness – without even knowing what happened!
Jed Smith is the President and CEO of Edge Fitness Hydra-Fit Mfg. Inc. He can be contacted at 866.882.EDGE (3343), or by e-mail at jed@edgefitnessmfg.com, or visit www.edgefitnessmfg.com.
