6 Tips to Make Exercise More Fun for the Family
Guest Post by Alex Cordier
We all know that regular exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle. However, it’s not always easy to find the time and motivation for it, especially when you have a family to look after. This can be resolved by planning fun exercises with the family that everyone can enjoy.
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There are many benefits of families exercising together. Not only does it help you all stay fit and encourage healthy physical activity in your younger ones, but it is also a great family bonding experience. Spending time exercising outdoors with the kids surely beats lying on the couch watching mindless television.
The most important thing is to make your family workout routines as enjoyable as possible so that everyone is willing to participate. Here are 6 tips to make exercise more fun for the family.
1). Plan a Weekly Family Sports Day
A family sports day is one of the most fun ways to get your whole family moving. There’s nothing better than a little friendly competition to get everyone active. Every Sunday for instance, a different family member could choose a game or sport of their choice. Why not invite a couple friends over too and make a day of it?
2). Get a Trampoline
Jumping on a trampoline is ideal for increasing cardiovascular fitness. It’s just as effective as other forms of exercise like running or jogging but is much easier on the joints. Trampolining is a suitable exercise for any age group which makes it the perfect family work out. You can try different jumps and flips, all while giving your body a good workout. You will have so much fun trying all these tricks that it won’t feel like intense exercise.
This is an affiliate link to the trampoline I have at my house. We needed a rectangular one to fit in the spot we needed it to go in. It’s great fun and my boys have a blast with it! It will give years of fun to your family;)
Skywalker Trampolines Rectangle Trampoline and Enclosure with Green Spring Pad, 8 X 14-Feet
Color Run for kids and adults. Isn’t this photo so beautiful!!
3). Exercise for a Cause
Tons of foundations and charities hold walking and running events to raise money. If there is a fundraising race near you, make sure to team up with your family and participate. Walking or running for a good cause is the best way to motivate your family. Plus, it’s actually a lot of fun to be part of these types of events. At the end, everyone will feel a great sense of achievement knowing that they are making a difference in society.
4). Go on Bike Rides
Bike riding is one of the most fun activities for family fitness. If it’s your first time cycling with the family, start with a small journey first. Everyone should be able to ride at their own comfortable pace. If you have small children who are just learning to ride, take them to a playground, beach, or a safe, flat biking track. Most kids will jump at the chance to go bike riding with the family.
5). Go Swimming
If you have access to a pool, you definitely shouldn’t take it for granted. Swimming gives your entire body a workout, particularly your arms, shoulders, and hips. There are plenty of fun family workout routines you can do in the pool, from relay racing and water aerobics to good old-fashioned pool wrestling.
6). Do Some Gardening
Doing chores is one of the best tips to keep the family active while at home. Gardening, in particular, has amazing health benefits because it involves moderate to intense physical movements like stretching, pulling and lifting. It’s a great way to improve your overall fitness levels while also enjoying the fresh air and the calm of nature. You can turn gardening into a fun family workout by letting the kids help you shovel and dig up soil. Blasting some good tunes while you work will make the activity even more fun.
Alex Cordier is a freelance writer who has been published across various sites on topics including home, travel, health, and lifestyle. She is most passionate about fitness and healthy living. Follow her on Tumblr to see more of her work.
Thank you Alex for your guest post! I hope you all enjoyed this guest post and make exercising family a priority:)
Related Post: Get exercise as a family while walking around a zoo. Read my review: Why Your Family Should Visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
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Oh I really like this list! It’s so important to spend time as a family… away from electronics! I feel like those moments are where all the memories are really made!
I totally agree with you! I often will also opt to take the dogs on a walk with the kids rather than work out alone to create some fun memories (if the schedule and weather cooperate that is!). Thanks so much!!
These are such great ideas and seem like fun instead of “working out”. Plus, you get to squeeze in extra family time! 🙂 I’ve always wanted to do a Color Run, too. I need to sign up!
Yes, I love the idea of excercising as a family by doing something fun that is also exercise–creates great memories and gives a workout! The color run was absolutely awesome! The kids had so much fun! I didn’t run in it because I was the photographer, but it was SO MUCH FUN to watch all the gets smiling while they got color blasted. It’s the perfect school fundraiser, the one we did was a fundraiser for my son’s middle school.
I always wanted a trampoline growing up but my parents never wanted to get me one haha so I would totally be down for this for my kids.
Trampolines are awesome! I find kids use them into the teenage years too so it’s a worthwhile investment kids will use for years. You should get one, your kids would totally love it!! Thanks!
Love all these ideas! I’ve been wanting to get an exercise trampoline and I may just have to get one now that it’s too cold to play outside! My son can just stay inside and jump all his wiggles out on it!
My kids and I do yoga daily together, it’s always really fun to watch them trying to do different poses!
Awesome that you all do yoga! Yes, a trampoline is great family fun that is exercise too. Have fun! Thanks!
These are very good suggestions. I particularly like the family sports day and color run ideas.
Yes, those are my favorites too! The color run was amazing! Thanks!
These are great ideas! I love how you incorporated ideas how to get our families without them even knowing it. Very clever!
Right! Exercising while having fun takes away the feeling like exercising is a chore. Fun erases that! Thanks!
These are all such great ideas! We love family walks after work and bike rides too! I wish it didn’t get dark so fast in the winter so we could enjoy more outdoor time!
Yes, family walks are so fun! I agree, the darkness of the winter chops out walk times. Visiting a mall to walk around in the evening is a fun thing to do, we’ve done that. Thank you!