Best Exercise Videos For Kids

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children should engage in 60 minutes (one hour) or more of physical activity daily. Aerobic activity should make up most of this daily physical activity, or about three hours weekly. Further guidelines recommend alternating between moderate-intensity aerobic activities, such as fast walking, and vigorous-intensity activities, such as running. One way to encourage your child to participate in regular exercise is to invest in a few age-appropriate, quality fitness DVDs. Fitness DVDs are a particularly good choice during inclement weather and/or when exercising outdoors isn't possible.

Kids Get Movin'

The Center for Movement Education and Research (CMER) is a nonprofit organization. The organization's mission is to improve the lives of children in public schools through creative health education initiatives. They developed an exercise video entitled "Kids Get Movin." This 45-minute exercise routine features two separate workouts, a 20-minute dance/cardiovascular aerobic segment and 20-minute kids' yoga segment. According to Martha Eddy, Ed.D., CMA, RSMT, a dance instructor and exercise physiologist and children's educational consultant, this fitness DVD is a perfect combination of fun, fitness and learning for children aged six to 13 years of diverse backgrounds.

6 Fit Kids' Workouts

Originally titled "The Classroom Workout," this 46-minute exercise DVD is appropriate for boys and girls aged eight to 13 years of diverse backgrounds. It features four 5-minute and two 10-minute easy-to-learn, dance-style aerobic routines. It can be done at home or in a classroom setting. This DVD is a popular choice among elementary and middle school physical education teachers across the United States as a safe, motivating method for energizing students. It was approved by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and given excellent reviews by the Physical Education Links for You web site (www.pelinks4u.org) as well as the Kids Fitness Videos website.

Teo Bo Kicks

This 40-minute aerobic kickboxing exercise routine is led by seven-time World Martial Arts Champion Billy Blanks and is designed for children ages eight and above. In this DVD, Billy takes the basics of his famous Tae Bo moves and adapts them to meet the special needs of children. The combinations are fast-moving, entertaining and high-energy, and the DVD includes a motivating soundtrack. Participants featured in the video include children of all ethnicities, sizes and shapes, and Billy's instruction and attention to form make it a safer workout. The emphasis is on making fitness fun. This DVD earned a 4.5 out of 5 star average by over 30 consumers on Amazon.com.