fitness levels and keep your family in their best shape, and improve cardiovascular health.
Just be sure to do a little research before heading out to see how difficult your hike is. Make sure you bring lots of water and snacks to keep everyone healthy and happy.
Not sure where your nearest hiking grounds are? Visit the National Park Service online or trails.com to find the best hikes in your area.
RELATED: Black Girls Hike: What You Need To Know Before Hitting The Trails
Bounce Around
Trampoline parks are showing up all over the country with chains like Urban Air and SkyZone, among many others. The best thing about these parks is that parents and kids alike can bounce around for hours, and bonus, the kids will be WORN OUT afterward. You’ll likely will be, too, but it’ll be worth all the sweaty smiles and laughs! Most of the trampoline parks have obstacle courses, basketball, and dodgeball, so everyone in the family can have fun bouncing around.
Trampolining is an awesome low-impact (if you don’t bounce too high) exercise that gets the heart pumping quickly. Remind your kids to take breaks and drink plenty of water. If you have knee issues, take extra care and talk to your doctor first before jumping in.
More Kid-Friendly Exercises
If you are also looking to exercise with your kids, there are plenty of workouts that you can enjoy together. It’s best to keep things simple and with little or no equipment.
- Partner Sit Ups: Sit facing your child and lock their feet between yours. Lie down with hands crossed over your chest and sit up to give each other a high five. Then lie down and repeat 10 times.
- High Five Planks: You and your child get into a plank pose facing each other. Alternate high-fives by touching your right hand to their right hand, then left to left. Repeat on each side 10 times.
- Swimmers: Lie face down on the ground with arms and legs reaching long. Kick legs and move arms up and down while squeezing your rear and keeping your chest high. Repeat 10 times.
- Bunny Hops: Start in a squat and use your arms for momentum to jump forward, like a long jump. Land lightly in a squat and repeat 10 times and see who can go the farthest.
These activities should help to make getting active with your family a breeze. You don’t have to spend a dime to get out and move, but keeping your family healthy is priceless!
Sharita Jennings is a health policy attorney, ACE certified group fitness instructor and nutrition specialist. She leads fitness classes in Washington, DC and provides online coaching and tips on her site, GetFitLikeThat.com.