How to Work Out with Your Kids

This is a guest post by Nancy Parker:

Finding time to fit in a workout when you’re a busy parent can seem like an insurmountable task. When there already aren’t enough hours in the day, setting aside one more to hit the gym is near impossible. However working out doesn’t have to be something that is confined to the gym, and you can fit in a good workout that will help tone you up and slim you down using time spent with your kids.

1.      Tag – Who says tag is just for kids? Your kids will love it if you join them in their daily game of tag, and you can use that opportunity to spend time with the kids and get in some sprints around the playground chasing after them to tag them, or running away from them to avoid being tagged “it” again. Of course, as you get faster you may have to slow down and let them tag you from time to time!

2.      Monkey Bars – When you were a kid using monkey bars to tone your arms was probably the last thing on your mind. However, if you think about it, monkey bars are the perfect piece of playground equipment for toning your biceps and triceps and adding to your upper body strength. Whether you’re swinging across from rung to rung or doing pull-ups or chin-ups, your arms are going to benefit.

3.      Park benches – Park benches are incredibly versatile pieces of equipment designed to help you do far more than just sit and watch the kids run around on the playground. Instead of simply sitting on one while the kids play use your time on the bench to do some tricep dips, step-ups, or push-ups. You’ll never look at a park bench the same way again.

4.      Get obsessed with cardio – You don’t have to get stuck on a treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike to get in a good cardio workout. Instead rollerblade, bike ride, walk or run with your kids at the park. Switching up the types of cardio exercise you’re getting will constantly challenge your muscles and help you stay in shape.

5.      Jump rope – Jump roping is one of those things that seem to come effortlessly to kids; however, it’s not as easy as an adult when you haven’t picked one up since your grade school days. Invest in a few jump ropes and jump rope with your kids. You’ll blast through calories, and you’ll improve your agility in the process. 

Making time for your health is important as a parent, and shouldn’t be neglected. However, if you can’t seem to find the time to hit the gym then use time spent playing with your kids to work out instead. After all, your kids want you to be active so you can keep up and play with them.

Author Bio

Nancy Parker is a professional full-time nanny and she loves to write about a wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, Babysitting, nanny background check tips, etc. You can reach her @ nancy.parker015 @ gmail.com