Thursday 30 October 2014

Five Great Fitness Gifts for Kids

According to kidshealth.org, "the percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids now considered overweight or obese." With video games, computers and television occupying our children's time, fitness activities have fallen by the wayside.
Organized sports are great activities but we need to instill in our children the importance of daily exercise. Encourage children to play with equipment that is fun but also doubles as great fitness activities. This holiday season why not turn it up a notch and give the gift of fitness to your children. Here we list fitness gift ideas-probably gifts you received as a child-that will encourage your kids to be active.
Hula hoop
This classic toy from the 50s is experiencing a new emergence as a great fitness activity for all ages. Hooping classes are popping up all over the place. But your child doesn't need a class to benefit from this great fitness gift. Once they get the hang of moving their hips in a circle to keep the hoop up, they'll want to keep trying to beat their previous time. Parents can join in the fun too and turn this fitness gift into a family activity.
Roller skates
Roller skates have transformed many times over the years since their inception. But the fitness gift we're talking about is the traditional quad skates. This fitness gift is great for kids 5 and up with lots of energy. Kids can burn up to 315 calories in 30 minutes of rollerskating and can skate at roller rinks as easily as they can skate on sidewalks near their home. Throw in all the fun they will have and this is one incredible fitness gift.
Rip stiks
Rip Stik Caster Boards are the latest take on the classic skateboard but using it is more akin to riding a surfboard. This fitness activity takes a little more time than the others to master but when they finally do, kids will never want to stop. Great activity that focuses on balance and coordination  and make sure to include safety equipment when giving this fitness gift.
Jump rope
Remember jumping rope as a kid during recess? We had so much fun playing jump rope games. We would jump in groups, by ourselves or even double dutch. Jump roping is a wonderful fitness activity you should encourage for your child. Jumping rope improves muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance, and agility. Not to mention it's easy to learn and a very inexpensive fitness gift.
Hoppity Hops
I loved this toy growing up and I even remember my mom taking it for spin in our front yard. Back in the late 60s, I received this amazing ball as a gift. It was a large red rubber ball that my entire family enjoyed bouncing on. If you're not familiar with this fun fitness gift, kids (or adults) sit on top of the ball, grasp the handle and begin to jump up and down. This is great exercise that totally doesn't feel like your exercising. Kids will love this fitness gift.
As you can see, many of these fitness gifts are blasts from the past. And if you remember, overweight and obese children weren't as common as they are today. So do you kids a favor, encourage daily activity by giving them one of these great fitness gifts.

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