Fitness mantra: Ways to make your workout routine fun by involving your children

So, finding time to squeeze in workout in your busy day filled with your work and raising children might seem hard. But, what if you looked at exercising as a way to bond with your children? Thereby, you not only exercise as a family, but also spend quality time with your kids. Here are some ways you can make your workout routine fun by involving your children, irrespective of their ages.

Working out along with your kids comes with numerous advantages. One of the biggest benefits is that it helps your child view exercise as a healthy part of life, instead of something that is forced upon them or as a chore. Especially in an age where phones and tablets are taking up a significant part of children’s time, working out as a family could help them turn more active. Outdoor games like dodgeball, cricket in your backyard or neighbourhood park could be the best way to start exercising with your kids.

One of the easiest ways to exercise, with almost no investment, is walking. Take a nightly walk after dinner. Instead of rushing to glue yourselves to televisions or phone screens after dinner, put on those walking shoes and walk around your neighbourhood. This simple activity not only gets your blood flowing, but also provides you the time to have conversations with your kids and connect with them better on a daily basis.

Kids love to be part of competitions. So, why not turn fitness into a game and a competition, which will excite them? Whether it is a run, or performing stretches at home, get your children involved on a daily basis. Have a weekly or daily competition on any of the physical activities, and the loser of the game could do an extra round of exercies — resulting in a great workout.

If your kids are in their teens, probably the best way to exercise along with them is by watching their favourite workout videos together. Make it a point to be consistent and ensure you follow the routine each day — whether in the morning or evening — depending upon your schedules. With a little bit of effort, both parenting and fitness can be made more fun.