American kids, including teenagers, are in worse physical shape than their peers were in the 1980s, according to Family Education. Giving your teenager a variety of ideas for exercise is one way to help improve their physical health. A wide variety also helps finding an activity that appeals to your teenager. Teens need around 60 minutes of exercise each day that they can complete over a number of daily sessions, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Organized Sports
Organized sports offer a teenager the opportunity to exercise with a group of supportive classmates. Whether in school, local leagues or inter-mural leagues, organized sports offers a variety of exercises several days each week. Many organized sports require a high-level of commitment to exercise that is encouraged by teammates and coaches. This commitment can also continue during the off-season of a chosen sport.
Running
There are many running options for a typical teenager. It is easy to move away from the boring loop track for those that need something more interesting. Cross country running allows teenagers to get outside and run through a city or the country and enjoy the sites of their surroundings while getting enough aerobic exercise to move towards a more healthy lifestyle. Running is versatile enough that a teenager can hop on a treadmill during foul weather and not interrupt her exercise schedule.
Bike Riding
Bike riding is one of the easiest ways for a teenager to sneak exercise in to his daily routine. Whether riding for transportation or fun, bike riding is a quick way to get the heart rate high enough to get an aerobic workout without really feeling like a workout. Mountain biking will also get the heart rate up with even less of a workout feel. Like running, bike riding can go indoors during foul weather.
Exercise Classes
Exercise classes, especially those geared towards teenagers, can catch a teenager's interest and get him committed to regular exercise. Yoga, indoor cycling classes, and step aerobics will all provide aerobic workouts in less than an hour a day. Classes are offered at schools and fitness centers across the country. If local high schools do not offer exercise classes before or after school, contact local community colleges because most offer classes to both enrolled students and local residents.
