Exercise benefits individuals of all ages. But when it comes to exercising at home, teens may be more willing to participate if the entire family is involved. After all, being more physically active offers health benefits for everyone. If you have a teenager who needs to be more active or lose some weight, your teen may be willing to pursue healthier lifestyle habits if he sees you doing the same. Teens who are physically active are also more likely to be physically active as adults.
Fun Activities
Help your teenager find fun ways to exercise at home. Washing the family car, mowing the lawn, sweeping the driveway or raking leaves are all tasks that provide healthy exercise. Teach your teens to look at these activities as opportunities for having fun rather than as performing mundane chores. Other exercise options to consider include bouncing on a trampoline, swimming in the backyard pool or taking the dog for a walk. Your teen may choose to toss a ball to a sibling or wrestle with his friends. The important thing is that he finds something that he likes to do.
Work Out With a Friend
Get your teenager more interested in exercising at home by suggesting that she ask some friends over to join in the activity. Exercising with a friend makes it more fun. Teens also enjoy social interaction, so friends can talk while they exercise. Since teenagers like to be entertained, there are a number of activities that your teen can do along with her friends. Encourage her to go in-line skating around the neighborhood, shoot some basketball hoops in the driveway, or dance around the living room.
Exercise Intervals
According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, although teens should get at least one hour of exercise each day, any amount of physical activity helps to promote better health. Exercise need not occur at one time either. Even if your teen sets a goal of exercising for only 30 minutes each day, suggest that he break his exercise routine into two 15-minute intervals, or three 10-minute intervals. This may give him the flexibility he needs to fit exercise into his daily routine.
Instructional Videos
Try to find exercise routines that your teen can do easily in your own living room whenever she has a few free minutes. Workout videos and video fitness games offer a teen the opportunity to exercise before going to school or doing her homework. Your teen might want to try her hand at Tae Bo, hip hop dancing or other aerobic exercise. Instructional workout videos are one way to increase a sedentary teen's activity level. It doesn't matter what type of exercise video or video fitness game it is as long as it keeps your teen moving so that her heart gets pumping.
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