Great Family Work Out You CanDO with Your Kids...

Luann Abrams

March 12, 2010 by Joe Gigantino


We’ve all had those days when there is simply too much going on to get in that workout you know you need. You have barely seen your family except to pass them as you are rushing out the door, and you feel too guilty to run off to the gym. Here is the perfect solution: a great full body workout plus playtime with your kids. Try it the next time life gets too hectic!

Here’s Luann’s choice for one of her best family workouts. Luann Abrams is an ACE certified personal trainer who focuses on family fitness. She trains clients and teaches family fitness classes in her community. You can always find fun family fitness ideas at her blog, Training For Fun or follow her on Twitter at @Trainforfun.

Family Workout Routine:

Find a place to run in your house–a hallway works great. If the weather is nice take it outside in your yard or on the sidewalk. Run back and forth chasing each other (for the little kids) or timing each other (for the older kids) while incorporating the following sports conditioning moves:

High Knees – Stand straight and lift your knees up to hip-level as you run.

Butt Kicks – Hit your butt with your heels as you run. Land softly on the balls of your feet.

Jump Skip – Jump and drive your bent knee straight up as you skip forward, exaggerating your natural arm movements.

Walking Lunges – Step forward with your first leg landing heel first. Lower body by bending both knees until back knee nearly touches the floor. Lift yourself up using both legs and step forward and repeat with the opposite leg.

Ski jumps – Jump along an imaginary line down the middle of your course. Starting on one side with knees slightly bent and feet angled at about 45 degrees toward the line, jump over the line turning so knees and toes are at a 45 degree angle toward the line on the other side. Jump to one end and then repeat jumping backwards to the other end of your course.

Jumps – Just jump! Remember to land softly, which means you have to use your muscles to slow the momentum of your lowering body and not lockout your knees. Add an obstacle, or several, that you have to jump over.

Stairs – If you have stairs, you have a built-in workout machine. Running up and down the stairs two-at-a-time, sideways, and backwards is a phenomenal workout. Carry a weight (or your kid!) to really amp up your calorie burn. You may want to skip this with younger kids until they are sure-footed.

Drop and Give Me – At either end of your course, have a mat or towel where you perform a different exercise such as push-ups, crunches, or tricep dips, each time through.

Feel free to leave comments or ask me questions. Have a great workout and next time you need to squeeze in a workout into your busy week, don’t forget to include your best workout buddy’s – your family!

Colette Morris
If you would like a consultation call or email
Email: formula4finess@ymail.com
Tel. 213 261 4233 (usa)
0208 816 7045 (uk)