5 Fun Family Fitness Tips

Spending quality family time is getting harder and harder. Gone are the days when children played around for whole day and their mothers had to call them back home to eat dinner. Today, on an average four out of six children spend their time watching television and surfing the internet for more than five hours a day. The present generation is very electronic centric and sees their world through TV, computers and cell phones.

The solution is a commitment on the part of the entire family to spend more time together. Summertime is a chance to spend some time on home improvement; improving your health and your relationship with the family.

Here 5 ways to have fun with family fitness:

1. Dig and Plant in the Garden- Help everyone plant their own vegetables, fruits and flowers.- having to clear, rake, seed, mow, aerate, fertilize, dethatch and water a garden or lawn tends to overwhelm the average person. The physical strains associated with a good day on the yard can be very positive and a great workout with creative benefits.

2. Take a Family Bike Ride - Bicycling is a good cardiovascular exercise that increases the health of your heart. You can plan cycling trips on safe trails by calling your local bike shop or bike club.

3. Go To the Pool - Water sports and especially swimming, are often a favorite summer time activity. There are many physical benefits of swimming and because of the low impact nature of the workout, swimming is considered a terrific exercise choice for not only healthy people, but also for those who face health challenges.

4. Take a Family Walk – Walking is an easy way to get - and stay healthy. Almost anyone can do it, it fits into just about any schedule, and best of all, it can be done with company of the entire family.

5. Yes, Your Own Backyard - Play traditional and modified backyard sports: basketball, softball, volleyball, and tetherball. Other activities include counting hula hoop rotations, jumping rope by practicing rhythms, rhymes and tricks and washing the car while enjoying an active game with the hose.

Family exercise may not be a miracle cure, but at times it sure seems like it. Remember, if you're tired and don't feel like exercising, once you start, you'll feel so much better. It is an amazing way to achieve and maintain your entire family’s health.