Gyms may be closed and the kids may be at home for the foreseeable, but that doesn’t need to mean you and the family have to be inactive.
In fact, physical exercise is one of the best things you can do during these testing times, both for your mental and physical health. So if you are feeling like you’re stuck at home, without any means of getting active, take tips from Total Fitness, which has offered a range of ideas for parents and their kids to get active.
- Turn walking into a workout: If you have very little ones, going for a fast walk or jog with your child’s pram allows you to fit in a cardio workout, while they enjoy their morning or afternoon nap. This helps to strengthen your core and arm muscles whilst you push the pram and allows you to get some fresh air as you exercise. We are all allowed one session of outdoor exercise a day but be sure to head somewhere you know you won’t encounter people so that you can safely distance yourself.
- Make naptime exercise time: For mums with a new-born baby or toddler, naptime provides the perfect opportunity for you to fit in a quick workout. Home workouts are a great alternative if you can’t make it to the gym, with a variety of fitness DVDs or online routines available – simply find one which suits your fitness level and that you enjoy. If you prefer planning your own workout, create your own HIIT circuit (high intensity interval training), using weights and dumbbells where you feel comfortable to raise the intensity. HIIT training is an excellent calorie burner and can be squeezed into as much or as little time as you have – perfect for while your child is napping.
- Combine playtime and exercise: Whilst your toddler or school child is enjoying their playtime, join in and make this a time for you to be active as well. Whether it being going for a bike ride or playing football, keep yourself fit by spending quality time with your children and enjoy the health benefits it has to offer. Zumba routines are a great way to involve them and they will love dancing around the room with you – not only is it fun but you will also burn fat as you move. Alternatively, why not make working out an educational experience, asking your youngsters to count your reps as you do various exercises. This is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle whilst spending quality time with your little ones.
