Some teens naturally love exercise. They always seem to have a lot of energy and take part in after-school sports. Other teens are less active and prefer staying in their room to read or listen to music. While this isn’t a problem, it is important for all teens to get some exercise to keep their bodies healthy. However, forcing your teen to exercise is a sure-fire way to start an argument, so what can you do to encourage them? Here are some things you can do to introduce your reluctant teen to fitness:
Lead by example
Some teens might be reluctant to exercise if they aren’t the most active person either. While they might not admit it, most teens look up to their parents and learn from their lifestyle choices. If you want your teen to participate in fitness-related activities, then it might be time for you to do the same. You could start cycling to work, join a local recreational sports club or even look into getting a personal trainer in London. Whatever you do, make sure your teen sees how much you’re enjoying yourself and the benefits that exercise can bring.
Work with them to find an exercise they like
School sports aren’t always the most exciting and if that’s all your teen has been exposed to it’s no wonder they might think they don’t like exercise. Ask your teen if they have a sport or type of exercise in mind that they’d like to try. Alternatively, do some research online and go through some options. For example, your teen might really like starting out with yoga or doing something fun like trampolining or gymnastics. Just because someone isn’t good at running doesn’t mean there is no other way for them to get fit.
Suggest a social event
If your teen seems reluctant to exercise because they want to spend all their time socialising, try to find a local club or sports team they could join. Ideally, the group will have social events and gatherings outside of the matches and training that they do. This way, you aren’t just presenting your teen with the idea of exercise, but the opportunity to make new friends and have fun too.
Change family habits
If setting an example by going to the gym by yourself hasn’t worked, it might be time to change your whole family’s habits. This might mean not taking the car when you’re going to the shops or visiting relatives, forcing everyone to walk a bit more. You could also spend weekends away going for hikes or camping. While your family might not enjoy this in the beginning, over time they’ll get used to your new way of life and accept it as normal.
Many teens might not understand exactly why they don’t like exercise, so it’s your job as a parent to get to the root of the problem. Try to find out if your teen has had a negative experience, is insecure about their ability or simply can’t find a sport they love.
