Self isolation and kids

[rooty123]

My DC 12 has been sent home due to close contact with case. They don't think they have been anywhere near the child but that is another story.

Anyway... DC needs to exercise a lot. Normally they would be out each day doing sport . Half term was a disaster as they couldn't go out due to rain, had to self isolate the week before too.

Their mental health is dangling by a shoe string, and behaviour at home is bad. Does anyone have any good tips for getting decent exercise for pre teens when self isolating?

We do have a small garden but certainly not one they can do laps of.

YouTube?

Joe Wicks, dance videos, yoga.

We tried YouTube, Joe wicks etc last lockdown. Think he needs something that's not on a screen and he can push himself with. Wondering about a turbo trainer or similar?

If he enjoys cycling and you have space & budget then a turbo trainer and Zwift is a good idea. Not sure how easy they are to get hold of now as I understand they were crazy popular during the first lockdown. My husband cycles and his turbo & zwift are a lifeline for his stress levels when he can't get out. I have a wattbike and also use zwift, I'm not really a cyclist but its been great for my mental health as there's the social aspect to group rides.

Cripes, just seen the price!

@rooty123 the watt bike? Yep it's an investment, but then we don't have gym membership and the teens can also use the bike. So that's 3 people getting regular use out of it. Hubby will occasionally use it too but prefers using his own bike on a turbo. We bought it a couple of years a go but it's been used non stop since March.

Just to say I know people with family gym membership costing over £200 off peak per month and don't even use it regularly.

I'll get flamed for this, but after 3 periods of self isolation, yup 3 where my 14 year old DS was not near the case, he went on an evening run with DH in a very quiet route. They didn't see anyone. His mental health improved as a result.

I don't blame you at all @middleager. My DC needs to run too. This is our 3rd isolation too, stuck rigidly to the rules but the mental health cost is so high, especially as this time the 'close' contact was someone in an outdoor class who they were nowhere near for the duration.

Skipping rope (our neighbour's teen boys became very proficient over the summer)?

Google "skipping workout".

We bought a turbo trainer (you put the back wheel of a bike on the back) at the start of lockdown; I expect there are quite a few gathering dust.

Sympathies to DS (and you having to cope with the stir-craziness)

Normal turbo trainers without zwift are not that dear. You can watch motivational videos on you tube. Otherwise take him for a run at a time when it's likely to be quiet

Trampoline? Ours can spend literally hours at a time on it, and if you want something more structured than random bouncing, youtube 'trampoline workouts'. There are usually people trying to get rid of them on facebook marketplace.