When your body is physically fit, your mind is agile and ready to take on any challenge life throws at it. Most of us know this fact of life, but as we progress out of our school and college years and enter the world of employment, we often forget and overlook it. Neglecting physical fitness is dramatically affecting the health and lives of people across the globe. And this is why family exercise classes are becoming an important part of people’s lives.
The Need for Family Exercise Classes
A rather detailed and large study conducted by the University of South Australia included 25 million children in 28 countries. It found that today children run a distance of a mile 90 seconds slower than children did 30 years ago. To many this revelation may not seem very dramatic, but it reflects upon the cardiovascular fitness of our children. And in the long run it will affect the kind of health they will enjoy.
Too much screen time coupled with the time children spend indoors, most of which is inactive, is affecting their bodies, and accordingly their minds. Technology is crippling our fitness and life choices, and should be used instead to enhance them. Health issues such as obesity, diabetes and heart conditions are often related to lifestyle choices. They can be avoided by making exercise a crucial part of your individual as well as family routine.
It is time for families to come together and rediscover the joy of exerting their bodies in exercise. Children learn effectively by watching their parents’ behaviour. So when you make family and fitness a priority, so do they. Depending on the age of your children their initial reaction to your new exercise plans may vary. While younger children love being able to spend time together as a family, and will be enthusiastic about your new plans, older ones may initially resist. However, do not worry, give them some time, they will come around once they start having fun as a family.
Exercise classes for families are especially designed to cater to the needs of individuals as well as family as a whole. Some fitness centres have classes where the entire family can participate together. There are some that have an exclusive gym and swimming pool designed for children. Parental supervision is necessary. Setting family fitness goals brings you closer as a unit. It also helps your identify and appreciate the strengths of each family member.