Get fit as a family!
Wednesday 12 May 2010
Working out as family doesn’t have to mean eye wateringly expensive gym memberships as there are loads of fun, inexpensive ways to get fit together. Be prepared to embrace your inner child whilst utilising the resources available in your local area to maximise your exercise experience.
Indoor activities
These include abseiling, rock climbing, dry slope skiing, ice skating and hula hooping. Phew!
Check out your local papers to see what indoor activities exist in your area as a day out abseiling or rock climbing can burn up to 600 calories an hour and is a fun way to spend a Saturday with your family. Just don’t look down.
Park Games
There’s nothing easier than grabbing a ball and some rackets, coaxing your beloved children away from the Playstation and down to the park. Engage them in team games such as football, rounders, or even stuck in the mud for an inexpensive afternoon out.
Bike riding
Whilst bikes are a bit of an investment they are a great way of exploring the countryside and getting some fresh air with your nearest and dearest. Britain has some of the best parks and forests in Europe, complete with organised trails and routes to avoid chaos! Plus bike riding can burn up to 540 calories an hour.
Hiking
Taking your kids to the local nature reserve makes hiking a more unusual family day out; spotting wildlife will entertain them whilst the fresh air will do the whole family the world of good.
Horse riding
Horse riding won’t even feel like exercise, it’s an exhilarating experience where toning your legs and bum whilst burning 600 calories an hour is simply a bonus.
Swimming
Swimming is well known to use every muscle in the body and carrying your children on your shoulders through the pool and making sure they don’t dunk each other too vigorously will only add to the calorie burn. Council run pools are affordable and plentiful whilst babies from as young as three months can take part in family swimming trips.
Weekend trips
As a treat, a weekend trip to Center Parcs is an ideal way to spend an action packed weekend, and can include such activities as shooting rapids in their vast pools, exploring woodland wildlife, quad biking, golfing, or even zip wiring through the trees. Eek! Look online for affordable deals for an adventure out of the ordinary with your family.
By Javena Johnson
Get fit family-style!