Fitness for Kids Guide

  Click here to listen to the audio version of 'Fitness For Kids Guide'

Most sedentary and young people like to spend most of their time engaging in non-physical pursuits like watching television, playing video games and using computers, etc.  This is one of the reasons why there are an increasingly larger numbers of boys and girls with low levels of physical fitness. 

Over a 15-year period, childhood obesity has increased over 50 percent and super obesity has more than doubled.  As a result, Type II diabetes, formerly called adult onset diabetes, has become prevalent in teenagers and even preadolescents.

Perhaps most importantly, the students who underwent strength training made such noticeable physical improvements that the strength exercises were subsequently included in the standard physical education program.  The most critical time for developing strong bones is during the childhood years. 

Recent research indicates that strength training is about six times more effective for building bones in preadolescent girls than it is in young, middle-aged or older women. This research is contrary to the myth that strength training is detrimental to young bones

Because children have low levels of testosterone, some people assume that they cannot increase their muscle strength or that any strength gains are temporary.  Our studies have consistently shown significant strength gains, 15 to 100 percent, in preteens who complete a two-month training program. 

Also, after two additional months of no strength exercise, the strength trained youth retained 50 percent of their strength gain and were still significantly stronger than their non-training peers.  Children, like women and seniors who also have low levels of testosterone, respond most favorably to strength exercise.

After 15 years of youth strength training programs with no injuries, we are confident that this activity is safe and beneficial, both physically and psychologically, for children.  A sensible strength training program enhances musculoskeletal development, encourages self-confidence, and elicits a physically active lifestyle.

Fitness kits are available for kids.  Each child's yoga kit may include a video along with a variety of accessories from child size yoga blocks and mats, to yoga balls made especially for kids.  There are individual children's yoga mats enabling you to choose an accompanying child's yoga video.  Children's yoga videos are an excellent way for kids to improve their concentration and creativity.  Yoga videos are a terrific way for children to learn early on how to relax and enjoy themselves in an otherwise busy and hectic world.