Sometimes with exercise, your teen might have the same mentality as many adults: that it's an either/or issue. Either you get no exercise at all or you have to kill yourself joining every team sport or running cross-country to exercise. Fortunately, there is middle ground. Your teen can have an active life that is entertaining and can keep her fit.
Walk
Walk to school if you're within a couple of miles and in a safer neighborhood. Walk to your friends' houses or on a nearby walking trail. A good pair of walking shoes is all the equipment you need for this exercise, and it can make a world of difference in your teen's fitness.
Go on a hiking trip or schedule weekend hikes with friends and family members. Most areas, even larger cities, have trails that can be hiked or parks that can be explored. Even urban areas can be hiked and explored, as long as you take basic safety precautions.
Play games that require walking. If you or a friend has a smart phone that can be used as a GPS system, you can geocache. In this increasingly popular game, people leave a box or a memento hidden, give coordinates online, and others can go seek out the "treasure" -- usually you will either take a picture of yourself with the item and then re-hide it, or place something of your own in the box.
Alternative Sports
Play disc golf. Frisbees have begun to increase in popularity again and nearly every college campus has a disc golf course set up nearby. Smaller discs, or Frisbees, are used for this game and can be found in most sporting goods stores or online. The game is played much like regular golf, except that you're throwing a Frisbee through wooded areas toward a chain basket. Eighteen holes later and you'll have given your arms a moderate workout, as well as walked about a mile.
Skateboarding is a moderate activity that can provide an aerobic workout as well as increase your balance and tone leg muscles. Use the proper safety equipment, including knee and elbow pads and a helmet, to avoid injury.
Martial Arts
Karate is a Japanese martial art that involves learning defensive and offensive moves, and exercises the upper body moderately.
Tae kwon do, on the other hand, is a Korean art that involves both arms and legs but is centered more on learning kicks and leg movement. Moderate exercise like this helps to increase muscle tone and aerobic activity.
Kickboxing is a combination of boxing and martial arts kicks that works muscles and joints, as well as giving you moderate aerobic benefits. There are videos that teach kickboxing but it's best to learn from a pro so you don't injure yourself.
Dance
Dancing isn't just fun: It's also a great way to get moving. Turn on some music and dance your way to aerobic fitness while cleaning your room or having a get-together with friends.
Zumba is an exercise involving dance and aerobic movement. If your family has a gym membership, you can take a Zumba class or get a DVD to learn it. Zumba teaches aerobic movement with a Latin flair.
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