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Original poster

Getting teens to exercise

18 replies

Rockpooler · 05/02/2021 07:45

My teens have gone from pretty active ( 2 mile walk home from school, rugby x 3 week) to nothing.
We've been trying to find a new routine but nothing has worked yet. Weather has been either icey or wet and school is taking up a good part of the day which all seem to be barriers.
Was thinking we need to find a good online class ( i would pay if needed), carve out a regular time and do it all together. They aren't keen on running outside and walking is now deemed too boring. Basically they are more than happy to sit about the house all day. Those of you with teens please tell me if you've cracked this.

OP posts:

DinosaurDiana · 05/02/2021 07:49

My DS has weights and a bench in the garage. He will also run in the rain though !
Find out what they’re into and go with that, but be careful about spending lots of money as the better weather and lighter nights are on the way. You don’t want to end up with an exercise bike in the lounge that no one uses !

MsTSwift · 05/02/2021 07:50

My two do Mad Fit or Chloe Ting every day

Applejackblackjackorfruitsalad · 05/02/2021 07:51

My teen says...yoga, online dance class (she is currently doing contemporary zoom classes), get a trampoline, Les Mills had some good HITT videos for teens on his YouTube channel. Are they going for a walk with a friend? So much more interesting than a walk with family.

Applejackblackjackorfruitsalad · 05/02/2021 07:52

Sign them up for one of these challenges where they walk / cycle the equivalent of John O'Groats to Lands End.

yeOldeTrout · 05/02/2021 07:53

It is a pain...
I don't 'home exercise' myself.

I can lure DS out for...
*Non essential fast food, Chip runs (walk the long way to get there).
*Has to cycle to get to work (chip shop) or while working (paper round).
*Pokemon Go
*Random non-essential shopping, like buying himself sweets (walk the long way to get there)

Original poster

Rockpooler · 05/02/2021 07:57

Ha - we already have the excersise bike! It is in the guest room and I go on it everyday. I can sometimes tempt the teens on it.
I think one of our big issues is carving the time. School work is talking a lot of the daytime and then late afternoon they meet up with the friends online and game/chat till dinner. The day seems to disappear.

OP posts:

Hazelnutlatteplease · 05/02/2021 07:58

Les Mills on demand and a family walk 5-6 days a week. It helps they see me getting up early to do 45 mins les mills most days and I have a decent set of weights, step and bike.

DD(15) does the adult Les Mills (usually pump or exercise bike). DS(13) with SN does kids one (8-12) cos they actually contain all his physio.

Were getting good value out of les mills

Mintjulia · 05/02/2021 07:58

Our school has provided some circuit training type exercises for indoors. Set to music tracks, keep going for the duration of the track. They can be a laugh between Teams lessons. Also some skipping challenges, leave the skipping ropes handy for breaks in the rain. Plus my ds has two zoom karate classes a week and I try to get him out cycling at the weekend - at least the roads are quieter.
But it's a struggle.

Bunnybigears · 05/02/2021 07:58

DS13 has a weights bench, boxing bag and exercise bike. He uses them every other day and on the alternate day does a Joe Wicks video (not the kids PE ones). On a Sunday I take him to play football on the playing fields.

DS10 is following zoom exercise sessions set by his swim club.

Are the rugby club not providing anything? They might be more motivated if its their coach telling them to do it rather than their mum.

Bunnybigears · 05/02/2021 08:00

With regards to time, it only needs 30 minutes a day. Mine do school work until 3:30ish then relax for a few hours, exercise 5:30 until 6 while I cook the tea. Eat tea, shower, then back on the PlayStation until bedtime.

Hazelnutlatteplease · 05/02/2021 08:02

Were getting up early. Les mills happens before school for DD 7.15ish-8ish and me(6.15-7.15). DS takes a break from schoolwork mid morning to do his

Hibernatingnation · 05/02/2021 08:03

Slightly unconventional but I got my mine a VR headset for Christmas. A lot of the games are pretty physical and he comes off sweating, as do I when I play, plus they're really good fun. Think they're the modern day version of the wii, as in the play is pretty physical. Been great for these miserable winter days. Had him doing hiit workouts with me during the first lockdown but he really doesn't enjoy them. We do skipping competitions as well, 5 minutes here and there is more bearable than one long workout and the competitive element seems to appeal to him!

WeAllHaveWings · 05/02/2021 08:18

ds is walking the dog everyday for 25-50 mins depending on what lessons he has and how he's feeling/what the weather is like, sometimes in the morning before school but usually around lunchtime to freshen up for afternoon school work. He didn't usually walk the dog alone, but is doing it to just get outside.

He also does a warm up and some sit-ups/press-ups/pull-ups etc most days.

2-3 times a week he uses his weights/bench/mat and has a bigger workout alternating between a legs / upper or core workout. He went to an independent gym before the lockdowns and the PT has given them all routines to do with the equipment they have available at home.

massistar · 05/02/2021 08:42

My DC aren't that keen on online classes so do a lot of surfing, skateboarding and mountain biking. Obviously the surfing needs the sea near by but it's been an absolute lifesaver for my 2. They get such a buzz from it. They've always surfed but not so much in the winter so we kitted them out with winter wetsuits, boots, gloves and hoods to see them through.

MrsPinkCock · 05/02/2021 08:59

Ours do a long 2 hour ish walk at the weekend. We used the money we saved during lockdown and not being able to go anywhere or do anything to buy gym equipment, although it took us a while to afford it. So they do about five days a week on the weight bench/treadmill/exercise bike and have done for the last couple of months.

Wish I could say I did the same. My exercise is limited to a daily dog walk!

needadvice54321 · 05/02/2021 09:07

Ds1 (17) has been exercising at home- his friends have all been challenging each other to attempt 50 press ups etc. He's really missing rugby atm

DS2 (12) is trickier, he's naturally not as sporty as DS1 so isn't missing being out and about exercising. He did used to cycle to and from school though so I'm worried about him missing that exercise. He struggles with his weight (medical condition) so we do have to keep an eye on it

EmmaStone · 05/02/2021 09:28

I have 2 non-sporty kids (although in 'normal' times, DD plays tennis 1-2 a week, and DS plays badminton once a week, as well as their normal school PE sessions). DD15 will take herself off for walks 3-4 times a week, but that's it. DS13 did C25k with DH and I over the summer (under duress), but then didn't keep up the running once back at school. We actually bought something for his Switch for some active gaming last week. And we force him on walks with us when we can.

They have plenty of resources, DH and I are pretty active. We've got a spin bike and treadmill in the garage, access to Apple Fitness and Peloton, and their school is providing great online physical challenges. But they're just not interested, it's just another facet to COVID atrophy unfortunately. Hoping they get back to school and their sports can reopen again soon.

MarshaBradyo · 05/02/2021 09:31

Ds works out daily at home. No encouragement from me but I’m very relieved. Also in general eating healthy food more protein based than sugary

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