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Original poster

Help me to motivate a reluctant 14 year old to exercise

45 replies

Bouncingbomb · 08/04/2020 10:34

At our disposal we have, rowing machine, bike on turbo trainer, yoga mats and blocks, two kettlebells.

I do something inside daily (am in the ‘vulnerable’ category).

Teen DD has rowed once, I was downstairs and it sounded like zero effort, gliding on the seat that’s all (but I didn’t say anything). One spell on the bike and one you tube video.

I was going to buy a cross trainer but have had second thoughts because a) it’s £700, b) I will need to move my desk into the sitting room and c) what if I buy it and she doesn’t bother (used to have one, sold on downsizing - she was a bit too young to bother with it then).

We have a yoga with Adrienne subscription - doesn’t bother with it.

Can anyone recommend anyone ‘with it’ enough to get my teen moving.

Oh - she did go for a run one day but didn’t like being alone.

OP posts:
minipie · 08/04/2020 10:37

What exercise does she do when it’s not lockdown?

What do her friends do, do you know?

If you already have a bike and rowing machine and yoga subscription that she doesn’t use, please don’t buy a cross trainer!

Tatty101 · 08/04/2020 10:38

Wow, it seems like that's a lot of pressure to exercise on a 14 year old.

Is it worth considering that this is a really unusual time and some people are finding it very difficult? Perhaps exercise isnt top of her list right now. Maybe you could let her know it's there, maybe invite her to do joint workouts with you but take some of the pressure off?

Letting her know that you dont think she put enough effort into rowing etc seems very unhelpful to me

Original poster
Bouncingbomb · 08/04/2020 10:40

Tennis and swimming.

Bike, rowing machine and yoga are my things not hers but I really think she should be using them in these extreme times.

I would use a cross trainer, loved my old one, but I certainly don’t need it and I don’t want to disrupt my office space.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bouncingbomb · 08/04/2020 10:43

Tatty - read the thread, there is no pressure and I didn’t mention the rowing ffs.

But I would really like her to move once a day for ten-fifteen minutes.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bouncingbomb · 08/04/2020 10:44

It was her that mentioned the cross trainer, said she liked it - I don’t remember her using it.

OP posts:
HarrietOh · 08/04/2020 10:47

If she normally does sports, suddenly sitting on a rower is really quite boring. Don't buy a cross trainer it's just going to be the same!

Is she getting out for a daily walk at least?

SmileyClare · 08/04/2020 10:49

I have teens and their lack of motivation to exercise worries me too. It's not even the issue of keeping fit, it's that exercise and getting out is so beneficial for mood/mental state.

Do you have a garden? Basketball hoop or set up a football goal? Tennis against a wall?
Maybe think of activities that are fun rather than exercising for the sake of it? Do something together? What about a Wii?

Walking outside is as good as anything. My teens have on occasion walked to our local shop to get a few bits. They seem to like having a purpose to their walk.

That said, I agree with a pp no need to put such pressure on dd to exercise every day. It may well be the case that she will soon get fed up and want to go outside for a walk or run. In my experience, when too much pressure is applied to teens, they get even more stubborn and go the other way!

minipie · 08/04/2020 10:51

If she normally does tennis and swimming she is probably reasonably fit and it’s not all going to disappear just because of a few weeks of inactivity (especially as she is young). I would lay off her, I expect one day she will realise she’d feel better if she did something.

Does she go out for a daily walk at least?

Original poster
Bouncingbomb · 08/04/2020 10:55

She isn’t walking daily.

We do have a small courtyard garden - not big enough for anything remotely sporty.

All my friends teenagers are doing something - I presumed DD was the exception - apparently not !

OP posts:
FATEdestiny · 08/04/2020 10:56

Some things my dporty teens have been doing

  • treadmill run / walk while watching Netflix
  • Couch to 5k NHS app to learn to run continually for 30 min
  • playing football with siblings
  • trampoline jumping with siblings
  • teaching oneself to do backflips on a crash mat
  • kickups
  • hitting or throwing/catching ball against wall
  • family walks
  • bike rides
daisypond · 08/04/2020 10:59

Just leave her be. My teens are going for a walk, that’s it. That’s all I’m doing too.

Original poster
Bouncingbomb · 08/04/2020 11:02

I get indoor exercise can be boring.

There is a TV with sky/Netflix/prime etc in front of my rowing machine in my office because I get bored but need to keep up my fitness for being on the water.

iPad stand fastened to my bike on its trainer etc., etc..

I’ll leave her to it then - she is literally the only teen I know who isn’t doing a thing!

OP posts:
SoldiersinPetticoats · 08/04/2020 11:05

My teens and I are doing Joe Wicks every morning Monday to Friday. After a meltdown from them on the first day they are are now up and in their gym kit every morning and we make it fun. We have a laugh doing the bunny hops for younger children and it's been great to get them moving.
I think the key is to join in with her, indeed get the whole family involved. I doubt any of mine off their beds would move if I wasn't joining in.

clearsommespace · 08/04/2020 11:05

How about dance workouts?
I am doing these with DD. Loads of different ones on youtube.

clearsommespace · 08/04/2020 11:06

DS is playing a video game which is physical enough to make him sweat a few times a week.

clearsommespace · 08/04/2020 11:07

It's not ideal but better than nothing!

NotEverythingIsBlackandwhite · 08/04/2020 11:08

PE with Joe Wickes exercise videos on YouTube?

Sally872 · 08/04/2020 11:10

My kids are not teens, we do Joe Wicks everyday. They dont enjoy it much but they do feel good after it. And have accepted this is the routine.
I have explained we need to do this as not getting the usual exercise from sports or playing out. And there is no xbox until Joe Wicks and school work done.

inwood · 08/04/2020 11:10

Joe wicks - not the PE with Joe if she thinks it's too babyish but he has loads of free content on his channel. Get some mates and do it together over zoom?

Kurzgesagt · 08/04/2020 11:14

Mile a day ? Takes 8 mins out of their day, I often add a walk with the dog ‘by chance’ afterwards Wink
Ds 2 aged 12 quite enjoys it as he’s improving every day and he can see the benefits. Trying to get him to increase by a bit each week. He’s sporty and quite competitive though, doesn’t want to lose his fitness for some of his clubs.
Ds1 17 however does very little, am concerned but he’s nearly 18 - really can’t force him. Get where you’re coming from especially when there’s a degree of stealth boasting going on on social media etc

KrakowDawn · 08/04/2020 11:15

Mine are doing just dance, and going for one walk a day.
It's not much, but we're in a flat with no outdoor space so it's a bit tricky. There's only one room with enough space to even put a yoga mat...and that's where the kitchen table is, which dh is working at!

Kurzgesagt · 08/04/2020 11:15

Mile a day running/ light jog btw !

SweetMarmalade · 08/04/2020 11:19

Ds (13) was going out once a day with his Dad on their bikes but he’s come down with a cold/cough (no temp) possibly hayfever mixed in too, so he’s not bothered for about 4 days now. He’s been in the garden and that’s it.

foamrolling · 08/04/2020 11:22

Fitness marshall - it's hilarious! Especially if you join in with them. Has she got any suggestions? Does she like dancing at all? Competition to find the cheesiest work out routines so you can turn it into something funny?

SmileyClare · 08/04/2020 11:24

My teens are doing Joe Wicks every (day). They are up and in their gym kit every morning Shock

I'm bloody impressed. My teens don't get up until late morning and unless I threatened them with their lives I can't imagine getting them into pe kit.
They're older teens though, 16 and 17, so perhaps that makes a difference? I feel like I can't force them to exercise against their will.