8 Ways to Incorporate Fitness as a Family

In orthopaedics and sports medicine, we’re often talking about fitness as it relates to athletes and senior citizens, but fitness is important for all of us, including children. With the return of school and busier schedules, it can be challenging to not only find time to connect as a family, but also to prioritize fitness, so we’ve come up with eight family friendly fitness ideas to keep you active and connected.

1. Nature Walks/Jogs: Explore local parks or trails and take a leisurely stroll. Engaging with nature while stretching your legs is a great way to unwind after a busy day. Encourage your kids to observe and discuss the plants, animals and scenic beauty around them.
2. Backyard Olympics: Designate a mini-Olympics right in your backyard. Create fun, friendly competitions such as relay races, sack races, or even a mini obstacle course. This encourages teamwork, healthy competition and lots of laughs. Don’t have a yard? Obstacle courses are perfect indoors—use those couch cushions!
3. Dance Party: Clear out some space in the living room and crank up your family's favorite tunes. Dancing is a fantastic way to get your heart rate up while having fun. Plus, you can take turns playing DJ or opt for a family playlist, full of everyone’s favorite songs.
4. Bike Rides: Grab your bikes, helmets and hit the pavement. Bike rides not only provide cardiovascular exercise but also let you explore your neighborhood from a new perspective. This activity is perfect for kids who prefer to scoot instead of bike.
5. Yoga for All Ages: Engage in a family yoga session that's suitable for all ages. Rotate through basic postures to promote flexibility, balance and relaxation, right in your living room.
6. DIY Circuit Training: Set up a simple circuit training routine in your living room or backyard. Include exercises like jumping jacks, squats, push-ups and planks. Rotate through the stations as a family, and be sure to cheer each other on in each station.
7. Fitness Challenges: Create weekly or monthly fitness challenges for the family. It could be something as simple as a step challenge (who can walk the most steps in a week) or a more elaborate challenge like mastering a new exercise.
8. Family Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood or local park. Include physical tasks like sprinting to a certain location or doing a set of jumping jacks before moving on to the next clue.

Promoting family fitness is about more than just staying active; it's about creating strong, lasting connections. By incorporating these fitness ideas into your weekly routine, you're not only investing in your family's health but also making memories. So, put down those tablets, lace up your sneakers and embark on a journey towards a healthier and happier family life.