Youth Fitness

Sample youth training video below!

Youth Fitness plays a very important role in the physical development of children. The percentage of children that are considered unfit and/or obese by clinical terms is staggering. The childhood obesity rate has tripled in the last 30 years. Living an active lifestyle and developing healthy eating habits at an early age will help create healthy, fit children.

It is our role as parents, teachers and coaches to promote the Student Athlete, Youth Fitness and a healthy lifestyle. It is important to teach children and young adults the benefits of exercise and leading an active life. In my opinion the number one way to tackle this problem, is to lead by example. To tell a child to go out and play while you are watching TV is not sending the right message. Leading an active lifestyle as a family can be fun, healthy and rewarding.

Often the Coach-Athlete relationship is underestimated. A good coach can be one of the most important influences to a youth athlete. Creating an environment that is positive, can help the youth athlete become self motivated and driven to reach certain goals.

This passion and enjoyment for fitness should start at home at an early age.

Some ideas to keep a child Active:

1. Teach them a new sport

2. Go for a hike, walk

3. Family bike ride

4. Swim

5. play tag

6. Enroll your child in a martial arts program

7. Join a local YMCA or Boys and Girls club

Sample Youth Exercises

1. Push ups

2. Sit ups

3. Jumping jacks

4. Wall squats

5. Pullups

6. Squat thrusts

7. Mountain climbers

8. Leg raises

9. Ball push ups

10. Bear crawls

11. Crab walks

12. Dips

Make a contest out it who can do the most, the longest.

Running

You know it’s important to help your kids develop the exercise habit so they can grow to be healthy, active adults.

So, if your children have expressed an interest in running or a desire to participate in a race or two, don’t discourage them! Running is a great natural sport that requires very little equipment and is a great way to promote Youth Fitness.

The important thing is to let them determine their own pace and to run only if it’s fun and enjoyable.

A Few Precautions Before Getting Started

Check with a physician to rule out any physical limitations that may prevent your child from participating in a running program. Keep in mind that children’s bodies, although young and energetic, are not capable of performing at the same level as an adult’s.

For example, kids are more sensitive to heat, so it is essential that they drink plenty of water and avoid running in the heat of the day. “Children have a higher body mass to skin surface ratio and may not be able to dissipate heat as well as adults,” says Dr. Gabe Mirkin, a board-certified specialist in sports medicine and pediatrics.

As muscles begin to heat up, it is okay to begin running. Also, show them how to stretch their calves, hip flexors and hamstrings after cooling down at the end of each run.

Click here for Sample Workout Routines

For the Elite Youth Athlete

Although most believe a mutlisport athlete is best, more and more children are becoming focused and training for one sport year round. The youth competition in all sports has become amazing. The talent and skill level is quite impressive. Click on the Youth Strength Training article for some good information on youth resistance training.

Return from Youth Fitness to Fitness and Health home page.

"One Team One Dream"