When adults think about exercising a gym may come to mind, rows of treadmills or a section for free weights. Like adults, children also need exercise. But exercise for children is a little different, kids “workout” through fitness play! In an effort to encourage healthy and strong childhoods, we’ve designed a new playset. Drumroll please… the Fitness Play Center!!
What is Fitness Play?
For children, fitness play can be broken down into three categories, endurance, strength, and flexibility.
Endurance – Children can develop and improve their endurance through physical activity. At this time, their heart will beat faster and they will breathe heavier. This activity will strengthen the heart.
Strength – Strength training for kids is not lifting weights. Children can tone and strengthen their muscles through climbing elements such as a rock wall or cargo net. Monkey bars are another element that improves strength through fitness play.
Flexibility – Children increase their flexibility through play as well as everyday tasks. Bending down to tie their shoes or reaching for a toy allows children to stretch their muscles.
You may recognize many elements from popular shows like American Ninja Warrior, including cargo nets, salmon ladder, rock wall and warped wall. Children can now have their very own Ninja Warrior course in the backyard. Imagine watching an episode of American Ninja Warrior with your children on a Saturday morning and after breakfast opening the door to your backyard and recreating the episode with your children.
Obstacle course races such as the Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, or Rugged Maniac, are popping up in cities all over the United States, many of them with a kid’s race series as well. With our Fitness Play Center, children can race and tackle obstacles just like mommy and daddy, minus the mud (hopefully!)
A Lifetime of Fitness
It’s important that children start with fitness play at a young age. This sets them up for a healthy lifestyle and a lifetime of fitness. Motivate your children to be active by setting a good example. You can make it part of everyday life by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking your car farther away from a store entrance.
Help your children be active by engaging in fitness play together! Children will be more likely to engage in fitness play if they have age-appropriate activities available to them. This way, activities are not too challenging for them and they won’t be discouraged.
By setting up your children with a healthy lifestyle, you are providing them with benefits such as strong muscles and bones, better sleep patterns, high self-esteem, and more!
