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Seven Unique Ideas for Aerobic Exercise Inspired By Children

You want to get in your daily dose of aerobic exercise, but if you jog around the block one more time your head is going to explode. Not from the exertion, but from the boredom.

As a matter of fact, one of the biggest challenges people face when told by their doctor to "exercise more" is finding an exercise that is simple and fun, something they will truly enjoy.

I personally take a fifteen-minute power walk every morning. And sometimes, halfway through, I wish I could beam myself back home and do something more productive. Something more fun.

Why? Doing the same thing every day gets downright monotonous, even when you know it's good for you.

Children instinctively love exercise

Tell me something. When was the last time you heard a healthy child complain about playing outside? They don't. They love to do what we serious adults categorize as "aerobic exercise."

But they are constantly doing something different. They climb on the monkey bars for a few minutes, then run around and kick a ball, then chase a squirrel into a tree.

No boredom. No monotony.

Toddlers and preschoolers are even more fun to watch. The world and all of Newton's laws of motion are still fresh to them, and they intuitively know how to involve their entire bodies in the exploration of their surroundings.

With that in mind, I began to observe my own young son and receive inspiration on how we adults might liven up our play--I mean our "exercise time"--and came up with these ideas.

Ten unique aerobic exercise ideas inspired by children

1. Run through a large puddle over and over again until you are out of breath. Then, take a few breaths, and do it again. This exercise is even more fun and invigorating if you remember to splash the water with your feet several times on your way through the puddle.

toddler playing with ball in pool

2. Chase a plastic ball around a wading pool. Take a ball that floats and is big enough to hit with you into a wading pool filled with several inches of water. Put the ball down, then push it as fast as you can around the perimeter of the pool. Don't forget to stop occasionally to swish your arms vigorously back and forth in the water in order to make waves.

3. Run through an open field while laughing like a hyena. The ground is easier on your feet than concrete. Laughing will actually add to the aerobic experience, increasing your breathing and heart rates. girl playing with hoola hoop

4. Put on some hip-hop music, grab a hoola hoop, and CUT LOOSE!

5. Jump on the bed. Come on, it's okay. Your mother isn't watching. It's the next best thing to using a girl jumping on bed

rebounder, or mini-trampoline. Not to mention the fact that it's one of few aerobic exercises that helps cleanse your entire lymphatic system.

6. Chase a butterfly.

7. Ride a tricycle as fast as you can. If you think riding a bicycle is good child riding tricycle

exercise, wait until you try this one. Your legs will get a totally unique workout, I promise.

May I coach you? Doing aerobic exercise can and should be fun. Those these ideas may sound crazy, let them inspire you to find new, exciting ways to get your heart pumping!

If you're a little bit older than these kids, and need further inspiration, you might want to check out the ebook Fit Over 40.

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From positive parenting to healthy eating to organic gardening, these e-books will enhance your natural living journey.

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