A child who is active will:
- have stronger muscles and bones
- have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat
- be less likely to become overweight
- decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- possibly lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels
- have a better outlook on life
In addition to the health benefits of
regular exercise, kids who are physically fit sleep better
and are better able to handle the physical and emotional
challenges that a typical day presents -such as running
to catch a bus, bending down to tie a shoe, or studying
for a for a test.
According to the 2005 dietary guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), all children 2 years and older should get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise on most, preferably all, days of the week.
Unfortunately, children these days seem to play less and spend more time sitting. This lack of inactivity can be attributed to advances in technology. Inactive Children are more likely to become inactive adults. We often hear words like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure when discussing the Children of today.
Strength training can be a fun way for your child to build healthy muscles, joints, and bones. With a properly designed and supervised program, your child can improve his or her endurance, total fitness level, and sports performance. Strength training can even help prevent injuries and speed up recovery.
A child's strength-training program shouldn't just be a scaled-down version of an adult's weight training regimen. A trainer who has experience in working with kids should design a program for your child and show your child the proper techniques, safety precautions, and how to properly use the equipment.
Our certified trainers at Potomac Personal Trainers can design a program which is age appropriate for your child. In addition to one-on-one training, we can design group classes that can be taught at local childcare and after school programs. Start your child on a life long road to physical fitness.
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