By: Trent Soares
Being active is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. As we know, America is not getting the daily recommended physical activity needed. It has also been proven that the inactivity starts at a young age. Becoming a father this past year has opened my eyes to responsibility. My view on fitness may be different to others but our ultimate goal is the same, maintaining a healthy lifestyle. So, how do we instill this behavior into our children without pushing them away.
Here are some examples that I have come up with to try with my daughter Mahina in the future and also examples that seemed to work for me as a child of a physically active family. If you parents’ have any other techniques or failures, please contact me at [email protected] or leave a comment with your stories. I would love to hear them.
Be a Fit Dad
Knowing you have such a tremendous amount of influence as a parent, it should be easy to leverage it in order to instill a love of fitness in your children. Lead by example.
Talk About Fitness
Growing up in my family we talked about fitness related activity regularly. I believe it creates a family culture in which physical fitness is an important part of life. Exercising is what keeps us strong and healthy so that we can enjoy life to the utmost.
Sports
I believe the easy part is to just get your child into sports. The challenge is going to be the involvement. Although my father didn’t have a strong background in baseball or basketball he still coached me growing up. On the weekends taking me to the field to hit me grounders or playing 1 on 1 at the basketball court. As a result, we created a loving bond not only for each other but towards being active as well. One thing I noticed is that our time on the field and court was joyful. There were drills, but just as a warm-up. I am very competitive and he was able to capitalize on that making every little thing a game. In summary, do the sport with them.
Outdoors
Living in the Reno/Tahoe area we are exposed to a beautiful scenery. I believe it would be a shame not to take advantage of it. Creating family activities from bike rides to hitting the slopes.
Gym playground
Most children at double edge have a genuine curiosity towards the gym equipment. This does not mean bring your child into the gym and let them go wild. Derek’s daughter Claire has a cute fussy kettlebell that weighs less than a pound. By introducing the right safe equipment early on in the right environment it should help their comfort level when they are ready for the real stuff.
Again please let me know your success/failures with your children. I am currently in the process of creating an Olympian. She just doesn’t know it yet… or know how to walk for that matter.
Group Class Workout
Warm Up: 3 Rds: 10 Pushups, 10 Air Squats, 15 Hollow rocks
Finish with: 1 Min Banded OH Distraction, 15 PVC PT, GM
Skills: Toes to bar Progression (5 Minutes)
Practice T2B or another skill (10 Minutes)
Metcon:
Welded
Partner WOD
50 Med ball cleans 20/14
20 Bench press 155/95
40 Med ball cleans 20/14
20 Bench press 155/95
30 Med ball cleans 20/14
20 Bench press 155/95
800m Run (Both)
Welded Lean
5 Rounds for Time:
10 Deadlifts 155/105
0.8/0.6 Mile bike
25 Ab Mat Sit ups
15 Ring rows
Mobility Of the Day: Glute Smash (pg. 300)
Improves: Low Back and Hip Pain, Knee Out Position