Be Healthy: Teaching Kids to Love Exercise

Mardi Obray, owner of The Peak, believes obesity it the result of an even greater issue – inactivity. She shares five ways to help get our kids moving and make fitness a daily part of their lives.

The benefits of physical activity affect more than just weight. Research shows the more time children, ages 10-16 spend being active the higher their level of self-efficiency and self-esteem will be (Robert W. Johnson Medical School Research). Also, children who have participated in movement education activities have longer attention spans, increased communication skills, and improved self-esteem.

We must increase kids’ daily activity level. In order to make that happen, you must create daily fitness activities that are both developmentally sound and fun for kids.

Here are some things to remember when creating an activity program for your kids:

1. Play, Don’t Work Out

Children must enjoy what they are doing for it to be a lifelong benefit. Don’t make working out a chore. When kids have fun, they want to do it again and again.

2. Don’t Over-Coach

Outline a plan and then let the kids play, have fun and allow their bodies to understand the concepts without constant correction or criticism.

3. Keep it Basic

Don’t over think the matter. Kids are not little adults. Exercise should be based on the basic 5 movements; run, jump, throw, crawl, and climb.

4. Slow Down

Don’t try to make them fit in the first week. Fitness is a long term, lifestyle change and can not happen overnight.

5. Join in the Fun

A family that plays together will all enjoy the benefits of the activity and the chance of it becoming a “lifestyle change” greatly increase. Monkey see- monkey do- really does apply well to children.

The Peak, located in Perry, Utah is a place where fun and learning and learning go hand in hand.
Our qualified, experienced staff along with our 20,000 sq ft – state of the art facility provides
a safe environment where children ranging in age from infants to teenagers can enjoy learning in a positive setting. They offer:

• Gymnastics (Girls & Boys)

• Educational Preschool

• Cheerleading

• Swimming

• Summer Day Camp

• Tumbling & Trampoline

• Birthday Parties

• Martial Arts

• Special Events

• Parkore