Core strength for kids?

[ColdinNovember]

My DS7 has poor core strength (according to swimming teacher) he also runs quite awkwardly the poor soul. He is not a natural sportsman and can be a bit lazy and would definitely not choose to be active unless I make him. What might help? I’m upping general activity in terms of going for walks etc and will try getting him running with me. He finds it hard to accept that it takes time (and effort!) to get good at things so I worry that obvious things like gymnastics are doomed to fail.

How is he with heights? Climbing is a popular activity with the geeky sort in my experience. It'll firm up his core like nobody's business. I see loads of kids at the bouldering place i go to at weekends. Lots of climbing places do kids parties and stuff.

Horse riding is the absolute best for this if you can afford it.
Also trampolining is good.
In terms of things you can do at home bouncing on a gym ball or using a wobble board would be good.

Since when was worrying about core strength a thing for 7 year olds?

I wouldn’t say I was massively worried @ArseInTheCoOpWindow but it was mentioned by swimming teacher as reason he seems to be struggling and think it is worth trying to improve it rather than ignore.

He does quite enjoy climbing thanks for the reminder @TiramisuThief and he’d love horse riding @Cuwins but probably not got the budget for it!

No we wouldn't have either but I know it was always used with kids I worked with for core strength.
Maybe even 1 or 2 sessions occasionally might help?

Can be an impediment to sitting straight, getting enough stability to write well. But I only know this because I have hypermobile, low tone autistic kids.

Proper playgrounds are full of things that help.

My two started karate at 7 and the oldest is dyspraxic. It's not as full on as gymnastics and less intimidating to boys. It's a common starting age and classes tend to be quite varied in age profile which helps those who make more meandering progress

My DD started doing yoga at nursery and they also do it in her primary school. Lots of kids yoga online.

It's also because there is so much sitting down now at school. Perhaps cosmic kids, which you can do together, those are nice and short, and a thing you can slip into the week. The washing machine dance one feels pretty good for core.

Cosmic kids is a great idea for a rainy after school afternoon, thanks!

Kids aren't necessarily doing exercise to keep them fit these days.

I watch in a amazement at work as kids with no disabilities or impairments at all struggle to climb onto a hospital bed or once on it reposition themselves on it. Other kids (even super tiny ones) simply just bounce up.

If you become aware of fitness being an issue for your child then trying to find something they enjoy to work on that is great parenting. Embedding a lifelong exercise habit in childhood is a real gift. Ok lots of people drop off their exercise during university! But judging by the clientele at my gym they pick it back up again once they are working. I'm in the rare "over 45" camp there.

Maybe try some martial arts classes - whatever you have near you. Many offer one or two free sessions to see if it's a good fit before you need to commit to paying for anything.

If you have space, have stuff lying around at home like a gym ball/peanut ball/wobble board/stuff to climb on or hang from. This way he can be getting lots of movement while watching tv, chatting and playing with family etc.
my dc stay quite fit and strong this way without doing any clubs (though clubs are of course great too if they enjoy them)