When it comes to spending more time with the family which can lead to cutting down on some of your workouts, just remember it doesn’t have to be that way. You can spend time with your family while getting the whole family to work out too!
Parents who exercise with their children are not only teaching them how to live a healthy lifestyle, they are also reinforcing the family bonds. If you make working out a regular routine or attach it to something you can also create wonderful family traditions.
Working something new like this into your families lives shouldn’t happen all at once. Set mini goals for your family to achieve when working out together. Something like 30 minutes, three times a week seems like a good place to start. Also, don’t make the workout complicated or overly difficult. Starting with something a bit more simplistic won’t lead to confusion and possible arguments. And most importantly, make sure it is fun for everyone.
Wheather your family is three people, five people or any number of family members you can still do this workout without getting complicated.
A Whole Family Workout
Warm-up: follow the leader – (five minutes): Form a line with an adult as the leader. (You can let the kids take turns leading after they are more comfortable with the task). Start jogging around outside or around the house and make sure you are weaving in and out to create lateral movement in your jog. Do this for five minutes.
Tip Toe Walking: with the adult in the lead still walk on your tip toes for three to five steps, reaching arms toward the sky, then walk normally for three to five steps. Repeat four to five times or until you feel your calves start to burn a bit.
Airplane: Fly around like an airplane with your arms extended out to the side. Bend left, bend right, swoop low, fly high. If your kids are into it, try adding in airplane noises too!
Bird Squats: Slowly lower down into a squat then as you stand to raise your arms, then as you squat back down lower your arms. You should start to feel like you are rising and falling while flapping your arms like a bird. Repeat for about ten repetitions.
Hippity Hop: Hop on one foot, then the other. Try and hop 20 times on each leg. Repeat a few times.
Jumping Jacks: Try to complete three sets of 20, counting together.
Tag: Choose colored objects to run to. Someone spots a yellow fire hydrant, and yells “yellow fire hydrant!” Everyone runs and tries and tag it first. Alternate turns until family members get tired.
Stretch: Slowly lower down to the ground and stretch while sitting in a circle. Let each member of the family pick a stretch to do.
