Summer is fast approaching, and your New Year’s resolutions are about to bear fruit when it comes to beach season. However, you don’t want to just be more active yourself, but you want to get the entire family involved. Besides, the kids don’t need to sit around all day playing video games while they are out of school. They need things to do. The simple thing is that if you have things available, your kids will probably engage in them, especially with a little encouragement. Many forms of exercise can also be a great way to spend time together as a family. You can add things that encourage exercise to your home, and then use them to stay active all year long. Here are seven simple exercise additions you can add to your home so that whether it is sunny or rainy, your kids and you will have something active to do.
Bikes
Maybe your kids and you already have bikes, but you can make them work better for you by making sure the kids have ones that fit and that they will ride. Also, consider a stationary bike or another bike trainer for the off-season. If you or your kids love bike riding, it can be a great way to get ready for the season. Storage of bikes can be tricky though. Use hooks to hang them in your garage or under a patio, and make sure they are sheltered from the weather as well as kept dry. Lube cables and chains before you put them away each year to save you tune up money each spring.
Pilates Reformer
Pilates is a great way to tone your body and improve your flexibility. However, many people don’t have the time to go to a Pilates class. If you’re one of those people, you can try a Pilates reformer. A reformer is a machine that helps you do the exercises of Pilates at home. There are also many online websites to buy Pilates reformer.
A Punching Bag
Maybe your kids are in martial arts, or maybe they should be. Not only is this a great way for them to get out some aggression, but it is fabulous exercise as well. A punching bag lets them exercise and practice at home without having to go to the gym or a dojo. You might even find that you enjoy it as well. There are several types of bags, of the kind that you hang to ones that stand on a heavy base. You will have to evaluate which kind you want to the space you have and how portable you want it to be. The hanging type is pretty stationary and needs to be hung from a strong beam or drilled into a large, supporting stud. The portable type is much easier to move around and put away when they are not being used. They often have wheels and can be rolled easily. Either way, a punching bag can be a great exercise accessory to have in your home.
Virtual Reality
This is new, but virtual reality lets you travel anywhere and do almost anything from the comfort of your home. Not only that, though, but Virtual and augmented reality allow for a new kind of home exercise. Want to work out with the stars or a famous trainer? Strap on a headset, and away you go. Yoga classes, aerobics, whatever you need is all just a click away. For your kids, there are games that also help them stay active, encouraging movement as a big part of the play. A couple of VR headsets can be a great addition to your home exercise options.
A Trampoline
These are not the arm-breaking and knee twisting trampolines of old. Many have safety features, including nets that surround them and pads to cover springs and prevent injury. They can also be set in-ground so that the edge of the trampoline is level with the ground, preventing falls. Depending on your kids’ ages, a trampoline can be a great choice for you and your family. It can even be enjoyed by the adults as well. Just be careful, and make sure if friends are over, their parents have given them permission to jump before they do anything dangerous. Trampolines can be affordable, and if you cannot find a new one at a great price, you can always look around for used ones that families have outgrown or no longer use.
A Basketball Hoop
One of the greatest and easiest additions to your home that will inspire your kids to exercise is a basketball hoop. There are portable ones that you can roll around or ones that mount to the roof of your garage. Your kids will love having an amazing basketball system. If you have the room in your driveway, set up a hoop there, on a concrete pad somewhere on your property, or on the edge of the street. This will give your kids room to play, and if you can, mark out a court and make things as realistic as possible. The hoop will probably attract their friends as well and get everyone involved in the game.
Outside Gym Equipment
Kids can prompt competition in one another, and one way they do that is to set up outdoor gym equipment like pull-up bars and other devices that use body weight as the resistance to exercise. Some cities have even set these up in parks and other public spaces for people to use. Doing the same thing at home is not that difficult. Things like pull up and dip bars are the easiest, but there are other simple devices you can build or buy do similar things, like a curl machine with a lever and the seat, which uses your body weight to work your arms. Simple push up bars and leg presses also work well in a home gym. An outdoor gym is a great summer option, and not only gets your kids competing outside but offers fresh air and other health benefits.
A Fold Up Treadmill
What about when it is cold outside? What do you do then? Well, indoor equipment is great, but unless you have a dedicated fitness room it can eat up a lot of valuable real estate. You can convert a corner of the garage or another room to a gym, but another option is to fold up equipment like a fold-up treadmill. These tend to be more expensive than a standard treadmill, but the space they save makes them worth the investment. Being able to walk or run inside when needed is a fantastic alternative exercise. There are some simple exercise additions you can make to your home to keep you and your family more fit.
Here are even more tips and info if you are looking to add exercise to your home.
