When did you start your children working out?

Question

I have 2 boys that are age 7 and 8. I just started them doing 20 pushups and situps in the morning before they start the day. My intention is to get them into a healthy routine and make fitness a part of their lives. I started them very easy because I don't want them to injure themselves so young. As they get older their workouts will get more intense. When they reach high school I will start them on a full gym work out. Am I on the right track? Can you share your experiences trying this?

Answer 1

If your kids that age are anything like mine, fitness is already a huge part of their lives, but in a way that seems like play, not work.  I'd work hard to keep it that way.  Take them to the playground, go for family walks or bike rides, let them choose a sport (better yet, a different one each season to prevent overuse injuries and burnout and expose them to more options), take them swimming or to a rock climbing class or ice skating or skateboarding or let them go climb trees.  Let them see you and your spouse being fit and enjoying it, as well.  That's a routine that will carry into their lives far better than a (boring) regimen of situps and pushups.

Don't go the route of the helicopter parent.  Encourage and even expect them to be active but let them choose the way in which they do it.  And certainly when they're in high school it's time to back off and leave the way in which they stay fit to them.

Answer 2

I agree with Senditto

Fitness was never a part of my life as a child. I think it is important to encourage it so it becomes a habit. I really wish my parents had put more focus on eating healthy and working out (age appropriate of course). Because it is still very hard for me to get motivated at 35. I don't think there is anything wrong with it as long as they enjoy it and it is not too much.

And my kids have had PE/Gym since Kindergarten and love it, they have a wonderful teacher, it is still my oldest daughters (going into 4th) favorite part of school.

Answer 3

Yeah that sounds good I am now 14 and fully working out. But when I was 10 I started runnin at least 3 miles a week. An before that I just did sit ups and push ups.

Answer 4

Honestly, I think thats a little harsh. Why dont you encourage them to play outside or play a sport instead? If my mom tried to make me work out when I was in highschool I wouldve laughed at her. If youre going to do that I hope you also do it.

Answer 5

I once read that this 'healthy routine' (as you're describing) will cause them more damage than good.  They won't grow as tall, as it exerts more pressure on their growing bones as need be.  Children that age should be so active that they don't require pushups and situps. You can give them a healthy routine and make them fit by the foods and normal daily exercise they receive without putting them on a routine.  

As per advice from the article I read, a child shouldn't do such strenuous activities until after puberty...hence the reason PE isn't started until they're in Junior High and High School.  I repeat:  You may be doing more damage than good.

I'd suggest you discuss this routine with your pediatrician and stop your routine before doing so.  If you'd rather not take them in for a good health checkup, google it and inform yourself.  None of us are doctors, so we can't properly inform you...you need to seek professional help and opinions on this matter.  

I'd tell you, if it were my own, no, this routine isn't acceptable for kids so young.  Get them up and moving...running around, playing ball, playing games in the yard...get them off the couch...that's exercise enough!  Feed them healthy meals and snacks and make sure you're not raising couch potatoes, but in my opinion, this is too much.

God bless you...Always!

Answer 6

you sound pushy thats way to much for children of that age and pushing fitness onto them can turn bad ways to then can do to much but then again it could turn around and they eat lots and become fat don't force things onto your kids thats not being a good parent in my eyes

Answer 7

you are worse than a pagaent mom!  Your kids will have very healthy jumpstart if you include sport and extracurriculer activities in thier life.  Are they in softball or golf or tennis or horseback riding?  Working out is not FUN for kids -- they want stimulation and an active lifesytle  - that is what is going to keep them active in later years. The worst thing you can do is get them into something where sterioids and pumping yourself full of chemicals and powders and pills -- OMG

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Sounds like a good idea, as long as you are working out with them, and making it fun. Don't make it seem like punishment have fun with it and make it quality time. It sounds like a solid plan but don't go overboard with it, or it will come back to bite you in the butt.

Answer 10

I really think that the people who are against this are harming their children. I was always physically active by my parents "forcing" me to be. I do not think that 20 pushups is harming them at all. I am a black-belt in ken-po karate and the 5-10 year old children did 25-35 push-ups each class, it builds character and it is good to get them involved.

Did I hate it at the time? Sure, who doesn't?

I would recommend however involving them in some type of sport so that they are with other children their age doing the same things - karate is an excellent source for exercise, confidence and self-control.

Also - sports such as baseball, basketball, tennis can be very good forms of exercise without the being as annoying as pushups. I would however suggest NOT doing sit-ups. They are bad for everyone and not the most effective way of working out your stomach.

Answer 11

Realistically this may not be good.  It's a great idea if your kids enjoy this, but if they hate it, you are hurting them in this area.  Try to make sure they are having fun.  Fitness is necessary for health so try to make it pleasing to them, otherwise it will have the reverse effect and they will never work out.  Sports, bike rides, outdoor games, are often crowd pleasers at their age.