When there is a discussion about getting fit and staying fit, people often assume it involves rigorous activity. We live in a culture where the term “no pain no gain” is thrown into people’s faces by an overzealous personal trainer while losing feeling in their lower extremities doing ridiculously intense exercises. And then there are those who get caught up in the latest exercise craze they read about online or hear, non-stop, from friends and colleagues at work. Take, for example, Crossfit. Now, that is not to say Crossfit won’t produce the results you desire if you want to lose weight and get fit, but it’s hardly a routine you want your children to be doing 4 times a week.
There is a notion that unless you are spending several hours a week rigorously working out at the gym that you aren’t doing it right. Well, that notion couldn’t be further from the truth. This holds especially true for children. Every time your child swims a lap, climbs a flight of stairs or engages in interactive fitness, their health levels improve.
Controls Weight
When a child spends their days sedentary, they tend to take in far more calories than are needed. And as we all know, unused calories accumulate as fat. A child who is physically active will have a calorie deficit, which helps take fat away and lowers weight.
Lung Strength
Exercise increases lung capacity and their efficiency at moving air in and out of the body. When the lungs are healthy and strong, they draw more oxygen into the body and expel more waste gases like carbon dioxide. Inactivity leads to a decline in oxygen intake, exercise prevents this.
Clear Arteries
Regular exercise reduces the amount of harmful cholesterol and fats that accumulate in your blood. Exercise also increases the flexibility of the artery walls and helps lower blood pressure.
Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Regular exercise prevents sugar from accumulating in the body and triggering the muscles into taking up more glucose to use as energy. In a nutshell, exercise reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
Strengthens Bones
You just read that muscles grow stronger when children exercise, the same holds true to their bones. When children exercise, their bones enjoy increased density, which helps stave off osteoporosis. The last thing you want is a child with weakened and fragile bones.
Additional Benefits
Active children breathe better and sweat more and these are great ways to detoxify their bodies and keep them clean. Children who exercise regularly have stronger immune systems and their ability to fight disease is improved.
Mental Health
In addition to multiple physical benefits children enjoy when they exercise, there is also the added mental health benefits. Exercise enhances the brain’s metabolism, thus improving memory as a result of better brain function. Exercise burns off the excess harmful hormones and increases the beneficial ones. These good hormones play a big role in forming new memories and being happy.
As you can see, it makes sense to ensure your children get plenty of exercises.