Let Them See You Sweat

Maybe your kids spend every free moment reading science fiction or playing video games instead of lacing up their cleats to hit the soccer field. But since fitness is important for everyone—not just athletes—bringing them with you to the gym to learn the ropes gives them a solid start, as long is it’s taught properly and in an entertaining way.

Since parents are often the most influential and consistent forces in their kids’ lives when they’re young, letting them see you working out and taking your own fitness seriously sends a smart message. Kids 12 and older can work out at 24 Hour Fitness gyms, but you need the right approach to make it enjoyable, teach healthy habits, and ensure they’ll come back. Marc Fox, manager of team sports for 24 Hour Fitness, says parents should emphasize moderation and fun when they introduce the gym to their kids.

But he warns that parents should consult a trainer before teaching kids any workout regimens to ensure their safety and proper form. “If you’re looking for health and fitness for an average adolescent, you’re looking at 30-60 minutes 5-7 days a week. You’re not going to have kids start lifting weights until the age of 14. Anyone who lifts weights younger than that needs to do it under supervision of a professional,” he says. “You want them to learn how to stretch properly and all of those types of things that would go toward them becoming better athletes and improve their overall health and fitness.”

Whether you’re a Group X regular or elliptical junkie, your kids can watch, learn, and participate, which makes for quality time spent together, provided you make it an appealing experience. “In order to get them into the gym it has to be something fun,” Fox says. “It needs to be interactive so the kids are actively participating in whatever it is. The only way to get them involved is if it’s fun.”

Making it fun may be harder than it sounds when you’re used to sweating over a bike for an hour, so Fox has four ways to mix it up to give your kids a gym experience that will keep them coming back and make fitness a permanent fixture in their lives.

Bands, Balls, and Ropes They may not know weights and treadmills, but balls, jump ropes, and colorful elastic bands, they know. To help them build strength in a way that feels like recess: Toss light medicine balls back and forth, show them stretches and strength builders with the elastic bands, challenge them to see how many times they can jump rope without stopping.

Get Personal Consulting a personal trainer as a family is a great way to introduce kids to a variety of different types of exercise while ensuring that they will learn the proper form and technique. “It’s much easier to teach them the right way to exercise now than to try and un-learn bad habits and replace them with good ones,” says Josh Lyon, manager of fitness services at 24 Hour Fitness.

Safety in Numbers Take a Group X class with your kids. The music is lively and youthful, and they can benefit from cardiovascular exercise. “Group X classes teach them that exercising is fun, and the strength Group X formats use light weight and high repetitions, which will develop their muscles without the risk of affecting normal growth patterns,” Lyon says. “And, don't forget, this is a great way for parents to spend some quality time with their children.”

Play Games Take advantage of the available amenities to play games: If your club has a pool or basketball court, jump in for a swim or hoop it up to add variety to both of your workouts.