Best exercise for 13 year old (girl)

[ErictheGuineaPig]

DD is skinny but unfit and has just asked if she can join my gym to get fitter. Unfortunately they don't allow under 16s and neither do any other local gyms - apart from a very expensive one we can't afford.

She doesn't want to run/do park run. Is she old enough to just do some YouTube/fitness blender type videos with me? Or is there anything I need to be aware of at her age?

Is there any sport she enjoys?

Walking, biking, netball, swimming..... what does she like doing? Get her out of the house.

Sorry, should have said, she does a dance class once a week and gymnastics once a week - I can't afford to up those as they're quite expensive activities. She has tried netball and running in the past and didn't enjoy them. She does love to swim so I've suggested we try and get her to the pool a couple of times a week.

This is all basically coming from a fitness test at school where they had to do press ups and sit ups and stuff and she had the lowest score in her class...she wants to be stronger and more able to do those things.

Have you tried local authority gym? We’re leeds cc and my ds once inducted can go and use any of their gyms whenever he likes

Girls basketball is good for fitness and a growing sport

Swimming is good.

DD & I have recently taken up tennis. Really sociable and good fun. The tennis club is a mile from our house so we cycle there.

Group lessons, 6 in a lesson to 2 coaches costs £7.50. There are lots of council/village hall type tennis courts which are free once you have paid £5 a year round here.

I would try to tell her not to worry about the school test to be honest and just find something she wants to do (if she actually wants to add something).

would try to tell her not to worry about the school test to be honest and just find something she wants to do (if she actually wants to add something).. Totally agree, she needs to find something she really enjoys and that might mean trying lots of things before she does.

If she wants upper body strength try yoga videos on YouTube or a yoga dvd. Cricket, climbing and tennis all build upper body strength. She could probably join a local cricket club and borrow the equipment to see if she likes it. Martial arts are great for building strength too and it’s something you could probably both do together.

mine go to crossfit kids - does gym/gymnastics/running/swimming all in one. a

I went through periods of really wanting to get stronger at a similar age and throughout high school and I think the swimming and encouragement you've discussed sounds great.

For other things to do at home, I'd recommend resistance bands. There are tons of workouts on youtube and pinterest and such that use these and are a great way to (re)start strength training. My 13 year old loves them along with the medicine ball we have as something to pick up and use that feel like a workout without feeling out of place for us like many feel with dumbells and such.

Dd is 13 and has great abs and although slim is very strong and fit, she does Taekwando. They do a lot of fitness and circuit training to warm up