Throughout my years of being a personal trainer and Wellness Coach I have had several conversations with my clients that involved them telling me about one of their greatest “workouts” or  bouts of exercise that they truly enjoyed.  Each story shared with me had a similar and consistent theme.  The times mainly had been when they were  involved in some form of game or “play” with their children. From the local activity center where he found himself on the court shooting some hoops with his daughter, to dancing along with her daughter as she busted her moves. and then, there is just a good ‘ole game of hand ball on the court from the neighborhood champ that probably has not played for 30 years. These are the times we have felt most alive, most invigorated and most thankful for the gift we have of movement and in a lot of ways…play.

Exercise with your child week encourages parents and guardians to exercise with their children as part of a healthier lifestyle. Exercise enables children to improve their overall well being, to maintain a healthier weight and to reduce the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.  This August let’s celebrate exercise with your child week and look at the spirit of the message our youth bring  to us as well.

When we look at our exercise as fun or play a whole different approach is taken to our sessions focused on exercise.  Not only will your sessions be more fun but you will be more likely to stay on track and look forward to your sessions. This will  result in greater results for you in the long run. I like the word that PTA Global uses for their training sessions, “PLAYOUTS”

I grew up with two brothers, when we played together games as a family sometimes it was hard, fun and competitive in nature. Bringing out that competitive nature we had with fun in our exercise or having what Ian O’ Dwyer refers to as, the “FUN FACTOR”, assists us in bringing out our current daily emotions of life and allows us to relive the positive, fun emotions of childhood.

Here are some tips to keep you on track with your PLAYOUTS

• What was your favorite sport or activity as a child?
• Have you found ways in your current training program to mimic your favorite sport and activities?
• Jumping, skipping, hopping and using a ball for throws and catches can be a large part of your workout. They have a great calorie burn as well as can challenge your total body including your core, gluts and leg muscles.
• Loved Hop Scotch?! – have you used the speed ladder yet? If not, you have to get on this PLAYOUT session!
• Monkey bars can be mimicked in the club by changing your hand positions on pull up bars and cable column attachments. This also provides a great upper body workout and challenge to the core.

When you like something, you learn it, love it , own it and make it yours.  After all, it is your fitness program and your goals- why not enjoy your workout and be successful at what you do! No matter what your age bracket, sport you play or goal you have, you can do anything if you want to do it. Get your “PLAYOUT” in this week and reach your fitness goals!