Bodyweight exercises form the cornerstone of foundational physical development for children. Movements such as squats, jumping jacks, and lunges can help improve coordination, balance, and motor skills. These are some of the exercises that will set the stage for more complex physical tasks as kids grow. Bodyweight exercises are a great way to show your kids that exercising can be fun and not a chore. Kids will always want to play. If presented in a playful way children can develop a positive association with physical activity from a young age. Having these exercises thrown in a setting of a g ..read more

What is Flexibility? One definition is “a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements” I underlined the word ‘ready’ as I’m sure everyone has experienced those days where bending down to pick up something has taken a little bit longer than it usually does!  And as we age, those occurrences tend to creep into our everyday lives e.g. putting on socks or shoes. Another definition is “​​the ability of a joint or series of joints to move through an unrestricted, pain free range of motion” Although flexibility varies widely from person to person, minimum ranges are ne ..read more

In a world dominated by sedentary lifestyles and technology, the importance of fitness cannot be overstated. Developing good exercise habits early on sets the foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle. An important aspect of fitness for young kids is building endurance and stamina. We will explore why putting time into improving endurance and stamina during the developing years of your young child is crucial for their overall well being. First thing is being able to establish healthy habits. Having a routine with regular exercise will help them develop discipline and commitment to betteri ..read more

Imagine yourself effortlessly climbing a flight of stairs, powering through a brisk walk without getting winded, or even tackling a challenging hike with a smile. This kind of effort is a testament to strong cardiovascular and respiratory endurance. These two systems work hand-in-hand to deliver oxygen to your muscles and cells, fueling your activities and keeping your body functioning optimally. But the benefits of good endurance extend far beyond physical performance, impacting your overall health, happiness and performance in a myriad of ways. A Stronger You, Inside and Out: Disease Defen ..read more

CrossFit has gained popularity as a dynamic fitness regimen, not only for adults but increasingly for children. However, like anything physically demanding on the body, concerns and misconceptions about safety may arise. In this blog post we will take a look at the world of CrossFit for kids by addressing those concerns and dispelling a common myth to provide a well-rounded understanding for parents. CrossFit Kids is designed to improve the general physical preparedness (GPP) of young people and set them up for a lifetime of fitness. A growing human being needs to have GPP. They need to have ..read more

In the 2nd post of our series on the 10 General Physical Skills required to be ‘good at life’, we look at the importance of balance, especially in seniors. Studies show if you are over 65 and fall and break your hip, there is a 30-40% chance of dying within 12 months Building strength and stronger bones to reduce osteoporosis will help (see past post) as well as good balance: Finding Your Footing: Why Balance is Essential for Seniors As we age, many things change, and our sense of balance is no exception. It’s a subtle shift, a step that might feel slightly less sure, a wobble that wasn’t the ..read more

Nowadays it can be a challenge to get kids interested in fitness. With technology and so many other distractions, there has to still be a way to keep them fit and active at a young age. In this blog post, we will talk about creative strategies to make fitness more enjoyable for your kids and how you as a parent can implement it into their daily life. Leading by example as a parent is very important for your child to see. Children often imitate the behavior of their parents. If they see you embracing a healthy and active lifestyle, they are more likely to follow suit. Incorporate regular exerc ..read more

We live in a golden age of connectedness, spending an average of two hours and 24 minutes on social media each day. Yet, we’re lonelier than ever, and the growing prevalence of loneliness is more than just sad; it’s a serious health issue with social isolation a significant determinant of poor health. In the United States alone, more than one-third of adults 45 and older report feeling lonely, and almost a quarter of those over 65 are considered to be socially isolated. It makes sense. As we age, we tend to lose the people, places, and things that bring us together the most. Children grow up ..read more

There is a common misconception that young children shouldn’t lift weights or do any type of strength training.  Some healthcare providers will tell you it damages their growing bones. But do a quick Google search for why they shouldn’t and you’ll actually find a lot of evidence that shows the opposite; in this post we will talk about the benefits of incorporating strength training for young children. Teaching the young generation healthy habits has never been more crucial than now. Sports and outdoor activities are a great tool for the development of a child’s physical and mental capaci ..read more

Peter Attia, MD is the author of a popular new book called Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity.  The book contains many thought provoking actions to ‘live better for longer’.  One of the ‘prescriptions’ looks at why exercise is the most potent pro-longevity ‘drug’. He writes a weekly newsletter which forms the basis of this post today (you can read the original article here) “One of the questions I’m asked most frequently is, “am I too old for exercise to make a difference?” The answer is always a great, big, resounding, “NO.”  Substantial evidence has demonstrated an arr ..read more