When should I get my child exercising?

[BK_Adores_Chase]

I want to teach my kids to exercise everyday, but what is a good age to start?  I was thinking I could invite him to exercise with me, but should I force it or just offer for him to join me?

[anguyen21]

Definitely wouldn't force it, he'll just be even more reserved to participate.  I would offer it, but as a kid, even though I don't exercise now, I got all my exercise by playing on the playground.    

[jneff0603]

I think he'll love exercising with mommy! My daughter loves it...mostly she just runs around me and tries to climb me/ sit on my back while I'm doing it but it's still exercise for both of us lol. You can find mommy and me workout DVDs on Amazon which are great. My little one loves to see the other babies on TV...she also loves "silly dancing" which is where I basically turn on the radio and we dance, well, silly! There are some great kid friendly gyms like The Little Gym, but WAY expensive. We couldn't fit it in our budget but it seemed like a great environment for toddlers and babies.

[sandiegosurfer]

I say as early as 4-5 when they can start playing sports. In addition to putting a child in team sport good for their health it teaches them good valuable lessons about playing with others, being competative and working well with teammates.

[mlhnceh]

I wouldn't force it, but anytime you're active, they'll want to be too.  Whether it's an exercise dvd or just running around the yard, the kids will love it.  Just don't let them lift weights, it interferes with muscle development.

[ULuvCeCe]

I don't think you should force children to exercise until they are old enough to understand taking care of their body - 3rd-5th grade somewhere in there. And at that time they can chose a sport, T-Ball, Volleyball, Soccer etc.

When I was growing up we just spent all our time outside, running around, riding bikes, etc. but these days kids just like being on the couch watching tv, playing games, getting on their laptops, which is cruddy cause my best memories were growing up and having neighborhood bonds.

[animikokala]

I don't think it should be "forced" no matter how old your child gets.  The best thing to do is to be a good example for your child, they will be far more likely to pick up good (or bad) exercise habits from your actions.  I wouldn't encourage making your child play any type of sport either; that just breeds resentment, making them less likely to want to do it.  The only reason I see for forcing a child to exercise would be if they were already obese due to poor health choices (not genetics).  As long as you have healthy habits that you enjoy, they will pick those up and be healthier as well.

When I was a kid we ran around outside as well, but I resented it when my Dad forced me to play softball (I don't like any sports) for several years.  I would have happily spent hours each day just throwing a softball around and catching it, but I disliked the whole "team" thing.  The local league in my town wasn't about sportsmanship or teamwork, it was about picking out the best players to compete with other counties.  Most of time at games was time I thought was being wasted; I'm very tiny (4'10 now; was even smaller back then) so my hitbox was so small they would either walk me or accidentally hit me.  Since I wasn't a "big-hitter" or an aggressive base stealer, I spent most games benched; played maybe 1 out of every 3-4 games.

My best advice:  don't be a hypocrite.  Don't expect your kids to exercise at least an hour a day and eat healthy if you don't exercise and eat junk.  (Not saying you do; that's to the people that do that.)

[Valerie1979]

if you exercise then they can exercise with you at any age and for a lifetime
the only "organized" exercise that my 3 yr old gets is through his swimming lessons that he has done since he was 9 mo. old.  He loves them, so we continue - we wouldn't force him to

We also take him to fitness classes (where the kids just run and play at will mostly with some supervision/organization) at our gym so that we can also workout at that time.

We also go for walks -- my son and I that is - and bike rides.....

my son certainly doesn't think of these things as "exercise"

[ShadeTree]

It's never to early to find active activities for your children to partake in. Since you are active, find things that they will enjoy doing, and enjoy them together. That way, they'll have a good time while getting the health benefits they need without even realizing it or knowing that's what you are trying to do. Walking together, riding bikes, skating at your local roller rink, swimming, or just letting them have at it at their favorite park are great ways to not only get exercise, but to bond with each other and have quality time. Be creative as well, little kids love wild creativity.

[alina6]

I want to teach my kids to exercise everyday, but what is a good age to start?  I was thinking I could invite him to exercise with me, but should I force it or just offer for him to join me?

I think they start to excercise the day they start to walk. Don't force anything but just chasing each other around the yard or house is good exercise, if you make it too much of a drill or routine they probably will lose interest fast. The only time I would force exercise  is when they are old enough to understand that they can't just sit around all day playing video games. Then it is off to soccer, t-ball or the like.

[kodomfulmanar]

they should always have some sort of physical outlet...but if you mean like exercise exercise..i'd say let your child decide that. forcing would probably cause problems later in life

[lilpnaygirl]

I say as early as 4-5 when they can start playing sports. In addition to putting a child in team sport good for their health it teaches them good valuable lessons about playing with others, being competative and working well with teammates.

I would also say as early as 4-5. You should let your child join sports. But, of course not forcing them to join or what not. Teach them how sports is important. Let them realize that exercising is good for their health. In the future they would most likely decide what they want such as joining sports, activities in high school or middle school.

[ro901]

Most children instinctively exercise..it's in their genes. Just dont' get them hooked on video games before they can walk.

[tommygun2]

get in school have gym that should be enough. do not push them into it so early or else when they are older they may feel you neve believed in them or their bodies

[measar]

i say teach them when they are young so as they grow older they get used to exercising daily