Fitness From an Early Age

With fitness gaining more and more importance in our lives over the years, it is not surprising that a lot of parents are wondering how soon their child should be let in on the adult world of fitness. The answer according to many experts, to the surprise of most actually, is that you can start even toddlers on the path of fitness.

When starting as early as toddlers, it needs to be kept in mind that the exercises need to be suitable to their bodies. Even something as light as moving their arms and legs around is a form of exercise for them. Every time they achieve something new with the use of their limbs; grabbing, throwing, crawling, walking, etc. is a progress in their exercise.

The key aim for children’s exercise should be regular physical development and this can be achieved without any extra efforts. The only thing required for this is to ensure that the children play in their normal way.

As the child grows, the importance of a healthy balanced diet needs to be inculcated and the physical activities should be impressed upon as crucial too. From the time a child is 6-8 year old, the emphasis should shift from just playing to different sports programs. Be it gymnastics, dancing, martial arts, basketball, soccer or whatever the sport of liking, all of these help develop the individual’s advanced motor skills and build on the kinesthetic awareness. However, it is important to understand that in the formative years (at least till late teens) the focus of their fitness should not be weight control at all, but only staying physically fit and eating healthy.

Weights should not be introduced into the physical training till the kids hit puberty and their bodies start developing more. Even then, a gradual introduction into the world of weight training is warranted. The new teen body is not quite as adept at lifting and pushing weights as that of a 20-something. As with an older person starting off with weights, it is important to start with lesser reps, lighter weights and with a smaller frequency of weight training. Three days a week is an ideal adolescent bodybuilding frequency. This stage in life further builds on the foundation of discipline and self control.

The concept behind starting early is simple, if the child is used to healthy habits in the childhood, he will grow up to carry forward these habits into his adult life. Physical activities and sports not only help the children develop into physically fit adults, but also promote a healthy mental development.

Along with moving up the fitness regimen through the years, it is also important to teach kids new concepts in fitness and increase the complexity levels through the years. For instance, understanding the basic concept that obesity is not good for health is enough for a 5 year old. However, for a 14 year old, some of the reasons behind the adverse effects of obesity need also be explained.

As with adult fitness routines, there is no one-size-fits-all routine for the kids through the years. Each kid should be treated as an individual and his/her unique set of needs should be catered to.

March 25, 2009 Posted in: Basics to Losing Weight