Do children really need a personal trainer?

Q: Despite numerous attempts to get my children up and moving, they’re still not as active as I would like. A neighbor suggested signing them up with a personal trainer to help them stay in shape. Her children work with a trainer, and she has seen an improvement in their body composition and attitude toward exercise. My children are 10 and 12 years old. Does working out with a trainer sound like a good idea?

A: Motivating children to enjoy and engage in physical activity has become harder and harder lately. The days of children running from yard to yard playing with each other until the street lights come on has been replaced with hours of television and video games. With the rise in childhood obesity and other medical conditions associated with inactivity, the use of a personal trainer might be an innovative and fun way to get your children moving.

A certified personal trainer will be able to create a fitness program to suit the needs of any client, including children. Although your children may be working with a trainer, that doesn’t mean they will have to lift heavy weights or work on exercise equipment. For children, these sessions could resemble a classic physical education class, where the use of bodyweight exercises such as push ups can be used in addition to other fitness tools to introduce fun back into being active.

A trainer also will take into consideration the age of the children and develop an appropriate program to ensure their safety while increasing their fitness level.

Hire a trainer who is certified and has experience working with children. Discuss your goals for your children with the trainer and stay involved with their progress. Ask the trainer to give you feedback so that you can positively reinforce healthy behaviors at home.

Another idea may be to have your children exercise with your neighbor’s children in a group. Group training is a great way to encourage children to exercise with others and can allow them to not feel like outsiders.

The key word to remember is “fun!” Promoting a healthy lifestyle for your children should begin at home, and a little help from the outside can make it easier.