Electronic Gymnastic
Exercise is Good for the Young
Individuals under 20 are naturally more flexible, have higher metabolic rates and more energy than those older. But they, too, need to exercise (in appropriate ways) to avoid injury and build strength and endurance, avoid obesity and stay fit.
Particularly today, when there are so many electronic alternatives, young people may exercise less than they should. It’s during the formative years that individuals lay the groundwork for what later become healthy or poor habits.
Kids will usually become quickly bored with routines designed for adults. But the activity doesn’t have to involve organized group sports, either. A gentle jog with an adult, a tennis game, swimming, golf, martial arts, bicycling, dancing, gymnastics and many other sports are enjoyable for the younger crowd.
Kids are usually sensitive to anything that appears inconsistent or hypocritical from adults. Be prepared to follow your own advice and exercise with them. That also helps parents share quality time with their kids outside the house and during activities that benefit both. Parents get the added benefit of monitoring to ensure that the kids are exercising in a safe and proper way.
Like any routine, if it produces pain – even the day after – the individual is less likely to continue. Keep it simple and build up the difficulty and length gradually. Kids are more flexible, but they too need to warm-up and gently stretch before engaging in vigorous exercise. A few minutes of static and dynamic stretching will help avoid injury.
Exercise routines should take into account the age group of the individual child.
Children from about 4-7 should focus primarily on developing basic physical skills, such as coordination and balance. These are the years when motor skills, eye-hand coordination and other things adults take for granted are still fluid. Children take to these activities naturally, as well. Jumping rope, hopscotch and other simple activities help guide the development of these skills.
From the age of 8 or so, exercises can become more vigorous in order to keep that active metabolism from turning food into fat. Here again, though, adults need to guide kids in order to build good habits and avoid injury. Weight machines are almost always a bad idea for pre-teens, for example. They’re risky and unnecessary.
Gymnastics, by contrast, helps build on those basic motor skills learned earlier while developing strength, balance and keeping the endocrine system active and healthy.
For teens, the field is wide open. They have the basic bone and muscle structure that gives them the potential for high performance activity in a wide variety of activities. But here, too, the possibility of injury remains for those who don’t get the proper guidance.
Teens are inclined to roughhousing and rebelliousness. Give them an outlet that directs all that energy and independence to the achievement of positive goals – fitness, endurance, and high scores.
About the Author
Dr. John Spencer Ellis
Each week, over one million people enjoy a fitness and wellness program created by John Spencer Ellis. His programs are implemented in the top resorts, spas and health clubs. John is the CEO of NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association), the Spencer Institute for Life Coaching, and the Get America Fit Foundation.
He created Adventure Boot Camp, the largest fitness boot camp system in the world. His TriActive America signature series of outdoor exercise equipment is used worldwide. John has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, FOX Sports, FOX Reality, SPIKE and ESPN. He is the fitness and lifestyle expert on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County and Daybreak OC (KDOC news). John is the producer of the documentary The Compass (Jan. 2009).
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Gymnastics/Cheerleader/Dance Beverage Napkins (Available in a pack of 48) $33.80 Gymnastics/Cheerleader/Dance Beverage Napkins. Use with our gymnastics cheerleader and dance party themes! Perfect for birthdays and sleepovers these three-ply beverage napkins are printed with a fun star pattern and the phrases “Super Star!” “Best Friends” “You Did It!” “So Cool!” and more. (16 pcs. per set) 10″Available in a pack of 48… |
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Gymnastics/Cheerleader/Dance Luncheon Napkins (Available in a pack of 48) $36.10 Gymnastics/Cheerleader/Dance Luncheon Napkins. Use with our gymnastics cheerleader and dance party themes! Perfect for birthdays and sleepovers these luncheon napkins are printed with a fun star pattern and the phrases “Super Star!” “Best Friends” “You Did It!” “So Cool!” and more. (16 pcs. per set) 13″Available in a pack of 48… |
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Advanced Gymnastics $16.00 Video demonstrations Practice exercises Basic routines and more! Product Information Improve concentration, coordination and control with this series of basic routines, games and practice exercises, including mounts and dismounts. Gymnastics can be a fun way to develop lifetime physical skills, but it’s important to encourage safe behavior during practices. Through these easy video lessons,… |
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Easy Gymnastics for Kids $14.70 Games, Activities and Exercises for Children Product Information Encourage self-confidence and build physical and social skills with gymnastics! These fun games and exercises develop lifetime skills and improve coordination, concentration, and control. Just follow along with this easy- to-use video program and discover entertaining gymnastics activities and team-building games that w… |
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LUXE White Sparkle Gymnast Girl Netbook Case $39.95 Where style, function, and luxury converge, you’ll find the LUXE Plush Netbook case. Our Plush case is made of durable neoprene, with a smooth-pulling zipper and strong side panels. Inside, a thick, soft, luxurious lining protects your valuable investment. No other neoprene case provides this amount of protection. Express your individual style and make a statement. Join the LUXE experience! E… |
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Chicco Duo Gym Activity Center $42.99 Chicco Duo PlaygymFeatures:-Modifies from a lying-on-the-tummy position to a lying-on-the-back position -Attaches to your baby’s crib -Melodies and sound effects to stimulate musical and audio skills -Light effects and other features to stimulate visual skills -Multiple features that target motor skills – even activities for your baby’s feetChicco’s Duo Playgym is an electronic toy that will keep … |
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LeapFrog LeapStart Learning Gym $68.55 This interactive learning toy will grow along with your infant. There are two modes: one for infants and “lie-down” play and the other for older babies and “sitting-up” play. Lie-down play consists of a musical mode and a learning mode. In learning mode your baby can listen to the “Hello World Song” sung in five languages while watching the bright primary colors of the motorized mobile whirling aw… |
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Jammin’ Gym Class – V.Smile Baby Learning System $29.99 This high-energy mat encourages healthy play and gives kids a jumpstart in learning. They’ll hop and bop while learning lessons in letters, numbers, colors, spelling and more. Features 12 touch-sensitive spots on the plastic interactive mat. Supports two-player mode with another mat, sold separately. Includes one Jammin’ Gym Class Smartridge. Connects directly to the V.Smile TV Learning System, so… |
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Philadelphia Running and Walking: A Guide for Athletes and Fitness Seekers (Fun on Foot Books) $7.06 This title is for anyone who lives in or visits Philadelphia, likes running or walking, or wants to get outdoors on foot more. For the committed athlete, it points the way to new and interesting training routes and events. For the less committed jogger or walker, it provides the motivation and know-how to get outdoors more and improve fitness. It describes the most enjoyable and interesting on-foo… |
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Barbie Diaries: High School Mystery $0.01 Big Trouble at the Battle of the Bands!Product InformationBarbie and the members of her band Charmz receive a mysterious warningjust before they enter their high school’s battle of the bands competition -”Drop out of the contest or else!” Then when someone mixes uptheir sheet music and ruins their state set Barbie knows she’s got a mystery tosolve.With the competition fast approaching help B… |